What is a Dog Bite Lawyer? Everything to know
Dogs can provide endless amounts of love and companionship, but even the sweetest dog can cause property damage or personal injury. If your dog has bitten someone, or if you or your pet has been injured by someone else’s dog, you may need to hire a dog bite attorney. Dog bite laws vary from state to state. A local dog bite attorney can tell you if you have a legal claim, the potential extent of your liability, what defense options are available, and the potential legal and financial ramifications of the case.
What can I do if a dog is injured?
If your dog has been bitten, you have a few options. An insurance claim may first be submitted to the dog owner’s insurance company. Home insurance now covers damage to the insured’s property due to the first dog bite, and many policies also cover damage to the insured’s property if the dog is on the property.
A dog bite attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company, using their knowledge and experience to make a fair deal.
You can also file a lawsuit against the owner or keeper of the dog. Some state laws allow these cases not only for dog bites, but also for other dog-related injuries. Dog bite attorneys play an important role in these cases because they know your state’s laws, how to calculate damages, and how to present evidence in the most effective way.
Proof of liability in the event of a dog bite
Whether you can hold someone liable for dog bite injuries depends on your state’s laws and the strength of your case. Some states use the established “one bite” rule, which imposes liability only if the owner knows or has reason to know that their dog is dangerous, such as if the dog has bitten in the past.
About half of the states have laws that impose strict liability on dog owners; where, regardless of the measures, it must be proven that the victim’s injury was caused only by the dog’s bite when he was in the authorized area. taken by the owner.
Different dog bite and neglect laws mean that the owner often has a duty to protect others from harm caused by their dog. This includes visitors, employees of their properties and people in public places. Owners must comply with local laws and regulations regarding the responsibilities of owners of particularly dangerous animals or certain types of dogs.
Also, in some states, people other than the dog owner are liable for injuries. For example, parents of minor dogs, animal handlers (such as dog groomers or kennels), owners and owners of The Land may be liable in certain cases.
Possible protection against dog bites
The possible defenses that someone can use against you in a dog bite case will vary depending on your state’s laws, but here are some common arguments that a dog bite defense attorney can use:
Trick: While there are some legal protections available to those who violate the law, your state’s dog bite laws may require proof that the bite occurred in an area where the law permits. According to these rules, damage caused by dog bites during trespassing cannot be compensated.
Provocation: Another common defense is that the dog owner is not liable because the injured party provoked the dog before the bite, such as teasing or cornering the dog and threatening aggressive behavior.
Comparative negligence or assumption of risk: In some cases, the dog owner can claim that you are partially responsible for your own injuries. For example, if the owner gave you adequate warnings about your dog and you ignore those warnings, this can reduce or eliminate your ability to recover damages.
An experienced dog bite attorney will know what arguments a dog bite attorney can make against you and how best to counter them.
Contact a dog bite attorney
Whether you’re arguing about a dog bite or defending yourself against someone, the consequences can be significant. Depending on the jurisdiction, a successful trial can result in awards such as medical bills, loss of income, loss of company, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages. It can be difficult to know what laws, compensation and protection measures apply to your situation. If you have sued for injuries caused by a dog, contact an experienced dog bite attorney in your area today.