Dog Bites and Animal Injuries Can Be Serious - Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you were attacked and bitten by a dog, you're probably facing more medical bills, pain and lost work time than you would have anticipated. Dog bites can cause scarring and other long-term effects.
A personal injury attorney in your area can help you determine whether the dog's owner - or someone else - may be liable for the dog bite injury and owe you compensation. A personal injury lawyer who handles dog bite cases will know how to find out whether there is insurance involved, and what limitations and requirements may relate to your claim.
A Dog Bite Case May Be More Complex Than You Expect
In order to prevail in a personal injury case, you have to prove not just that the injury occurred, but that someone was at fault. Although the specifics vary somewhat from state to state, in order to prevail in a dog bite case you'll generally have to prove that the dog's owner was in some way negligent. You'll also have to prove that the owner's negligence caused your injuries. It's possible that someone else, say the builder of faulty fence or negligent property manager, is to blame.
Next, you must provide proof of your injuries and what they cost you. You may be able to be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In addition, your state's statute of limitations may affect your claim, as will the possible necessity of involving other parties, notice requirements, and more. In short: Time is of the essence in a dog bite lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal system to ensure that your rights are protected.
A Word of Warning
If there is homeowner's or other insurance involved, the insurance company may contact you. The insurance company representative will likely claim to be "just gathering information," or even that the information is needed in order to be able to cut you a check. The truth is that the insurance company typically has one goal in mind: undermining your claim so that it can minimize the amount it pays you if it can't avoid payment altogether.
A personal injury attorney won't be fooled by insurance company manipulations. Your attorney may even have dealt with the same insurance company in the past, and be well aware of its methods.
Get the Information You Need
Injury lawyers can help. Getting in touch with a personal injury attorney in your area is easy: simply fill out the free case evaluation form on this page or call us at 877-288-7564 and we'll help connect you with a personal injury lawyer near you. A personal injury attorney can help answer your questions and explain your rights and options.
The above summary of dog bites and other animal injuries is by no means all-inclusive and is not legal advice. Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on animal injury cases, speak to a criminal defense attorney in your area.