Overview

According to the Center for Disease Control, about 4.7 million people fall victim to dog bites or attacks each year. The reason for the vastness of this unusual number is often a lack of supervision on the part of those people who own dangerous dogs. Over half of dog bites/attacks victims are children. Law enforcement officials believe that one out of three dog bite cases are actually reported across the country.

If you or your loved one has bitten by a dog, it is important to seek the help of an experienced Dog Bite Law Attorney. Dog bite attorneys will make sure you are paid for the damages because of the dog bite. Remember, there may be long-term emotional and physical scars due to the dog bite. Dog Bite Laws vary from state to state and your compensation claim strictly depends on the laws of the state where dog bite occurs.

Liability can be questionable depending on whether the animal has had dangerous propensity or has attacked someone before. We will carefully investigate the animal's history and uncover any information that would help in your claim. Depending on the individual circumstances under which the attack took place, you may have a case against the owner of the dog, vet hospital or other premises where the attack took place, or any other party that may be liable for the accident.

State Law Variations in Dog Bite Injury Cases:

Different States have different Dog Bite Injury Laws. These different laws are major reason to seek the advice of Dog Bite Attorney. The attorney will be well versed in the laws of the state where the attack occurred, and will be able to advise the victim of his rights. The Statute of Limitations is one way that states vary in their dog bite injury legislation. The Statute of Limitations limits the amount of time that can pass between the attack and the filing of a lawsuit. Because of these laws, dog bite victims should see the help of an attorney as soon possible after the dog bite occurs.

Possible Claims with Dog Bite Lawsuits

If you have suffered an injury in a dog bite or attack, you may be entitled to damages for past and future medical costs, long-term medical care, permanent defect or scar, pain and suffering, lost wages and earning potential, and any other losses sustained in your attack.

You should photograph the injuries as soon as the victim is medically stable. These photographs will be used in court as evidence, even if the court date is much later than the attack occurred. One aspect of a dog bite injury, that is often overlooked, is the psychological shock. Victims can receive compensation for counseling in the future. For example, children who are victims, often experience an overwhelming fear of dogs after an attack.

Determining Liability for Dog Bite

Sometimes it’s very hard to determine liability in a Dog Bite Injury Case. Since animal can not be held responsible in a court of law, owner of the dog is generally held responsible for the dog’s attack. This is quite reasonable to hold a pet owner responsible for allowing his or her pet to attack, injure, or kill another person. There is no single rule for determining the liability in Dog Bite Cases but some states have statutes which apply only to a pet owner, while others may hold responsible anyone who was in possession of the dog at the time of the attack.

Dangerous Propensity - The "One Bite Rule"

Just over 1/3 of the United States has adopted the "one bite rule" as a guideline for judging dog attack cases. In other words, the "one bite rule" explains that a dog owner cannot be expected to be aware of dangerous propensity unless the dog has already bitten or attacked someone. The "one bite rule" has significant role in determining the liability - on one hand, dog owners receive a sort of shield or buffer against an unexpected incident, while on the other hand, the rule also provides a strong basis for holding the owner responsible for any subsequent attack.

Cost of Hiring a Dog Bite Attorney

Many dog bite victims do not seek the help of an attorney with there cases just because of the cost of hiring them. This is a misconception, as Dog Bite Attorneys do not charge for their services in advance. They work on commission basis, and are only paid when they win the case, which is not hard with a Dog Bite Lawsuit. When the victim gets the compensation, the attorney is paid for his/her fee.

Need for an Attorney: If you have been a victim of a dog bite, contact an experienced Dog Bite Attorney, at Lawyer’s Area. Trust us, we are committed to provide you with the compassionate, attentive and responsive service you deserve while advocating aggressively on your behalf.