Minami Tamaki Associate Ember Oparowski obtained a $850,000 settlement for our client, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran who was attacked by two Presa Canario dogs while visiting the home of the dogs' owner, who had been receiving counseling from our client after the owner's release from prison.

Our client suffered bite wounds to his legs and elbow which left him with permanent scars, nerve pain, and cramping. Importantly, our client already suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his military service, and the trauma of the dog attack worsened this condition and caused him to develop “Complex” PTSD, as well as Major Depression, chronic sleep impairment, and hypervigilance.

The owner's insurance company refused to make any meaningful settlement offer, so we prepared the case for trial. The dog owner testified at deposition he was aware of the dogs' aggression toward visitors but did not warn our client of this before the attack.

He dismissed as a “fairytale” the news story of the infamous fatal mauling of a woman in San Francisco by two other Presa Canario dogs. We hired a prominent neurologist and psychologist who provided a comprehensive list of the future treatment needed by our client, and a life care planner to determine the cost of his treatment.

Significantly, the defense mental examiner partially acknowledged the severity of our client's injuries. By showing how a jury would likely compensate our client over the rest of his life for his injuries, Ember was able to settle his case shortly before trial for $850,000.