It seems like Disney star turned pop instigator Miley Cyrus is always making the news! This time, it has nothing to do with her outrageous fashion choices or dance moves. Unfortunately for Miley, she has been named in a lawsuit along with her sister Brandi Cyrus and Brandi’s dog. A Los Angeles model has filed suit, claiming that the dog viciously attacked and injured her and her career is now ruined.
According to the complaint, the model was walking through her apartment building, where a unit is owned in Miley’s company’s name, and passed by Brandi’s dog. The dog, which was being handled by one of Miley’s employees, attacked the model without provocation, ripping her thigh open in the process. The model alleges that the scars from the attack are so bad that she will never be able to work as a model ever again. Miley Cyrus’s company and Miley’s sister are being sued for damages; including medical bills and lost wages.
If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog in Southern California and suffered emotional or physical injury as a result, you may be able to recover financial compensation as well.
Dog Bite Statistics
Dog bites are frighteningly common. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Almost one in five require medical attention and half are children. Children are often the innocent victims of dog bites. What’s more, the CDC also reports that in the year 2012, more than 27,000 people had to undergo cosmetic or reconstructive surgery as a result of being attacked by dogs. This is the type of compensation you could recover if you were injured or mauled by a dog.
Dog Bite Liability
As we have written before, under California law, dog owners can be held liable for the injuries and damages their pets cause. There is no “one bite rule” as there is in other states. Indeed, California’s Civil Code Section 3342 clearly states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
Financial Recovery for Dog Bite Victims
Injured dog bite victims in the San Fernando Valley can seek financial compensation dog bite injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of reconstructive surgery, emotional suffering, and more. To discuss your potential for financial recovery, contact an experienced dog bite attorney.
For more information on filing a lawsuit after being attacked by a dog, reach out to San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.