Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kim Richards has evidently finally settled a dog bite lawsuit by her former assistant over an alleged pit bull attack. The lawsuit was filed in 2016 over allegations that a pit bull viciously attacked the assistant in a home owned by Richards’ sister. The dog bite lawsuit against both Richards sisters appears to have been resolved based upon a notice of settlement and dismissal of the case.
According to the lawsuit, the assistant alleged the pit bull attacked her in her lower abdomen and crotch areas resulting in torn clothes and flesh. Dog bites often leave torn skin which results in significant scarring and the need for multiple plastic surgeries to minimize or eliminate visible scarring.
Pit Bulls and other dogs on the “dangerous breeds” list of a Los Angeles Community make a case much more difficult for any dog owner. Dog owners are “strictly liable” for the actions of their pets, and the “dangerous breed” ordinance identifies those animals which are more likely to attack others. The dog’s owner is responsible for the financial damages associated with an attack including all medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages and fair compensation for pain and suffering.
My name is Rivers Morrell and I have more than 40 years of experience in personal injury and dog bite cases. In this case the dog owner’s sister mounted a legal challenge because she owned the home the star lived in but the dog owner (Richards) was not paying her rent. These lawsuits can become quite complex. As a Los Angeles personal injury attorney my responsibility is to identify all potential sources of recovery for my client and to ensure they are fully and fairly compensated for the injuries they have received. Dog bite cases often involve family, close friends and neighbors as most dog bite victims know the owner of the dog quite well. Many clients are concerned about having to file a dog bite lawsuit against someone they know and care about.
We may not ultimately have to file a lawsuit, and if we do we work to preserve the underlying relationships while pursuing the homeowners insurance or renters insurance of the dog’s owner. If you or someone you love is the victim of a dog bite in Los Angeles we invite you to review the recommendations of our clients and the legal industry and contact us or call (949)305-1400 for a free consultation. We invite you to visit our special segment on dog bites to learn more about what to expect as you recover, or to assist you with the characteristics associated with a specific breed.
