Have you been bitten by a dog? You may have legal rights to recover damages from the dog’s owner or another responsible party. You have medical bills and missed work, and may need help with household tasks. The lingering affects of a dog attack can cause not only physical scars but emotional stress. You can suffer from complications long after the injury occurs.
After a dog bites you:
Seek medical attention immediately. If you delay treatment or are not treated, you risk serious injury, infection, and death if the dog is disease infected. After you have been medically evaluated and treated for your injuries, consult a dog bite injury attorney. This attorney has extensive experience in dog bite cases and will determine if you have a legal claim. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the incident, including the name and contact information of the dog’s owner. If this information is not available, ask neighbors or other witnesses.
Owner liability:
First, determine who the owner of the dog is. In some states, the owner is liable for a bite, even if the owner tried to prevent it and didn’t know the dog had any violent tendencies. In other states, the owner can be held liable if the owner knew the dog has violent tendencies. This can be hard to prove, and that’s why it is important to consult a dog bite injury attorney to get rightfully compensated for any damages. A dog bite injury attorney knows the laws specific to your state and can help get you the compensation you deserve.
Other responsible parties:
The dog owner is not the only one that can be held responsible for the dog bite. Animal keepers, property owners, and landlords can all be held responsible for if the dog was in their custody at the time of the bite or if they knowingly allowed a dangerous animal to stay on their property.
What kinds of damages can you recover:
Damages recovered depends on the seriousness of your injuries inflicted by the dog attack. You may receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Property damages
Experience:
A dog bite injury attorney is trained in personal injury claims, and building a case may take the help of other experts trained in the field. Medical specialists can provide the full extent of medical financial expenses you will have, helping to ensure fair compensation for your injuries.
Don’t do this alone:
The insurance company or dog owner will try and negotiate a settlement quickly, and insurance companies often pay less to those not represented by an attorney. Many victims get compensated very little or nothing at all.
Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is not fee unless you win your case. You have the right to be compensated fairly for your injuries, contact a dog bite injury attorney today.
