Posted by Editor | Posted in Setting the Record Straight about Personal Injury Cases
Barney, the White House Scottish terrier, bit Reuters reporter Jon Decker who was doing on story on the dog when he reached down to pet the pint-sized pooch.
The bite wasn’t that dramatic; however, it did draw blood. Decker had to receive medical attention and antibiotics from the White house physician.
So, if he wanted, could Decker sue for damages?
Personal injury laws vary state by state, so we go to Washington, D.C.’s law on the matter, which presumes negligence of the dog’s handler. In this case, that would be a White House staffer.
The fact that Barney’s bitten before—(in fact, he’s not allowed on the lawn when tour groups come out because he’s been known to bite visitors)—and he wasn’t muzzled makes the case look even better for Decker.
If he decides to sue for the dog bite injury, he should probably contact a personal injury lawyer because under Washington D.C. law, if the person who was bitten was even 1 percent responsible for the injury, he/she can’t collect for personal injury.
