Dog Bite Attorney

Need a lawyer that will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your dog bite injuries?

Some dogs can be gentle and loving creatures, so it is no surprise that they have a special place in the hearts of so many. But what happens if you are ferociously attacked by man’s best friend? Dog bites, which can occur in public or private places, not only cause physical injuries such as disfigurement or scarring, but they often cause severe emotional harm (e.g., you might be afraid of animals for the rest of your life). With many different breeds ranging from Chihuahua to Pitbull, the injuries that you may suffer could be slight or life-threatening. Fortunately, you – the dog bite victim – can be compensated for your physical suffering and emotional distress resulting from a dog bite. Here’s more on dog bite injuries and what you can do if you fall victim to an attack.

Contact An Experienced Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

When you hire a skilled injury lawyer from My Rights Law, you could get up to ten times more then the original insurance offer. The premises liability lawyers at My Rights Law are dedicated to helping dog bite victims receive the maximum compensation for canine attack cases. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, give us a call now for a free dog bite case evaluation. Most cases are on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t charge attorney fees unless we obtain monetary compensation for you and your family. Call us today (888) 702-8882.

Dog Bites

First off, if a dog bites you, then you can’t sue the dog for your injuries – but you can go after its owner. When it comes to dog bites, some states use a strict liability theory. What this means is that if you have been bitten by a dog by no fault of your own in that state, then the dog’s owner is liable, end of story. The owner cannot avoid paying you for your injuries by claiming that they were unaware of their dog’s propensity to bite or unaware that their dog did not previously bite anyone.

Generally, unless you provoke the dog or trespass onto the property where it resides, the owner of the dog must compensate you for any injuries that you sustain. Specifically, you must be either in a public place or lawfully on private property when the incident occurs. Public places include businesses, airports, parks, beaches, residential roads, or any place that the public has the right to be. In most states, being lawfully allowed on private property means that you are invited; you are delivering mail; or you are performing a duty on behalf of the government. So, trespassers (uninvited persons) who are bitten by dogs might not be able to recover anything.

What You Should Do If Bitten By A Dog

Getting medical attention immediately after you have been bitten is crucial not only for purposes of tending to your injury but also for addressing possible diseases or other harmful bacteria that a dog could infect you with. For example, nearly all rabies cases come from dogs, so if you have been bitten, get treatment to prevent things from getting much worse for you. Rabies can be fatal if left unattended.

Once you have obtained the appropriate medical treatment, it is important that you gather evidence of your injuries and the circumstances that led to them. This may include taking photos of your injuries and contacting any witnesses who saw the dog bite you. Getting the owner’s name and contact information is essential if you plan to file a suit.

Another important step is to file a police report. Your local animal control officer may take a report of the incident and quarantine the dog to determine whether it is dangerous and free of diseases. The report may come in handy if you later need to prove what happened.

Types Of Compensation That You Might Get From A Dog Bite Lawsuit

Pain And Suffering – The law allows you to receive compensation for the pain and suffering that you have endured and may continue to suffer from because of being bitten by someone else’s dog. While there is no specific formula under the law that determines precisely how much your pain and suffering damages will be, the more severe your injuries, the higher the compensation that you stand to receive.

Disfigurement – If you have any permanent or long-lasting scarring, or you lose your limbs or other body parts, then you can receive compensation for this. Any permanent damage to your appearance could fall under the category of disfigurement.

Medical Bills – Most prudent dog bite victims will receive medical care once they are bitten by a dog. But these bills can add up quickly. Fortunately, if you file a dog bite lawsuit, then you could be repaid for all of the expenses that relate to your medical care.

Lost Wages – Injuries that prevent you from working may cause you to lose your source of income temporarily or permanently. In those cases, you may be able to receive compensation for any wages that you have lost and will continue to lose in the future.

Emotional Distress – The fear, shock, and anxiety that is caused by a dog bite can be overwhelming. You are entitled to compensation for this. In fact, even those who witnessed the attack might be eligible for compensation due to their emotional distress. For example, your spouse might be traumatized from seeing you get mangled right in front of them.

Property Insurance Might Cover Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites that occur on private property may be covered under the property owner’s insurance policy. This is good news if you are the victim of a dog bite, as it may be easier for you to collect the damages that are owed to you. Not all property insurance policies cover dog bites, and some policies exclude coverage for certain dog breeds. Still, if you are the victim of a dog bite, then you should obtain the dog owner’s insurance information and file a claim without delay.

How Much Are Dog Bite Lawsuits Worth?

As with almost every personal injury case, the amount of your damages depends on a number of factors. Notably, the extent and severity of your injuries will directly impact the value of your case. Typically, the more severe your injuries, the higher the potential payout you might receive. Unfortunately, some dog bites can even be fatal and result in multi-million dollar lawsuits if someone dies.

Filing A Dog Bite Lawsuit

Ideally, you notify a dog owner of your injuries, and you are appropriately compensated for them. In reality, some dog owners or their insurance companies don’t want to pay you a dime. Sometimes you need to take on the insurance company and the dog owner in their personal capacity to gain ground. If you are unable to locate the owner, then you may need to employ the services of an investigator in order for your case to move forward. Critically, the law limits the time in which you can file a dog bite lawsuit after the date of your attack. So, if you have been bitten by a dog and have been unsuccessful in obtaining compensation from the owner, do not delay in contacting an attorney and filing your lawsuit.

Barriers To A Successful Dog Bite Lawsuit

• You Teased Or Provoked The Dog – It’s never a good idea to tease a dog – especially a dog who does not know you. If you tease or provoke a dog, and it attacks you in response, then you might be precluded from getting compensation.
• You Trespassed – In most states, those who can bring a lawsuit for a dog bite include guests, business invitees, government workers, and postal workers. But if you trespass onto someone’s property when the incident occurs, then your case might get dismissed – so be watchful for those “No Trespassing” signs.
• You Sue The Wrong Person – If the dog who attacks you is under the control of a dog walker or sitter, then you can sue the owner under some states’ dog bite laws – but you cannot generally sue the walker or sitter. However, if the dog walker or sitter acted negligently and this caused your injuries, then you might be able to bring a lawsuit against them alleging that they owed you a duty of care (protecting you from being injured by the dog), breached that duty of care, and their carelessness resulted in your injury. This negligence-based lawsuit is different than dog bite laws which may not require you to prove that the dog owner acted negligently.
• Groomer And Veterinarian Exception – Groomers and veterinarians willingly take on the risk of a dog bite. They regularly perform tasks with dogs. This may lead to a dog attack in some form. Other dog servicers or handlers may also have difficulty suing under dog bite laws.

Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer

At My Rights Law, our attorneys are experienced at protecting the rights of our clients who have suffered damages due to vicious dog attacks. Our attorneys will carefully examine your situation and advise you as to your legal options. We will aggressively pursue all remedies against the dog owner and others who are at fault so that you can get the compensation that you deserve. Feel free to call (888) 702-8882 or contact us by completing our secure web form to consult with a knowledgeable attorney regarding your case.