Janssen Malloy LLP recently obtained a $3.2 Million judgment for a client attacked and mauled by a Black Russian Terrier dog in Los Angeles.  Our client, who was walking her dog with her husband in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, was attacked by a large dog that had escaped from the owners’ property.  The dog bit and mauled her arm and hand, causing permanent nerve damage and scarring.  The animal’s owners had continued to allow the dog to escape, despite four prior incidents in which the dog had bitten people.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Animal Control Division conducted a Dangerous Animal evidentiary hearing, at which the defendant dog owner appeared and testified under oath that he was aware of the prior violent incidents with his dog and described the dog as “a loaded gun.”  Janssen Malloy LLP partner Michael Crowley filed suit on behalf of our client, and despite the defendants’ attempts to avoid personal service of the lawsuit, accomplished service on the defendants.  After the defendants defaulted (i.e.,failed to appear and respond to the lawsuit), Mr. Crowley entered their default and moved forward to obtain a default damages judgment against the defendants.  After presentation of evidence of the aggravated liability of the defendant dog owners, proof of our client’s medical and psychological injuries, and proof of the financial worth of the defendants (relevant to what amount of punitive damages would be appropriate to punish the defendants and deter others from like recklessness), the Los Angles County Superior Court rendered a judgment in the amount of $3,194,922,77, which included  $2,000,000 in punitive damages.

Janssen Malloy LLP is now in the process of collecting the judgment against the defendants, who have significant real estate assets and various businesses in Los Angeles.  This case presented challenges in presenting and proving the full extent of damages to our client.  The court’s ruling on the amount of punitive damages underscores the malicious and reckless disregard of the defendant dog owners, who not only ignored the animal’s danger to the public, but also neglected and abused the unfortunate animal. Janssen Malloy LLP’s attorneys have represented numerous clients who have suffered severe injuries from dog attacks, having previously obtained a jury verdict in excess of $500,000 for a woman attacked by a pit bull.  Handling such cases properly requires experienced and seasoned trial counsel.  Janssen Malloy LLP stands ready to assist when need arises.