The Importance of Having a Dog Bite Lawyer
Having a dog bite lawyer is an important step in claiming damages for your injuries. However, you need to understand that there are some limitations on how much compensation you can get.
Common law negligence standard
Defending a dog bite claim can be a complicated task. Generally speaking, the best course of action is to hire a qualified dog bite lawyer. These professionals will be able to assess the facts of your case, and give you an accurate opinion about your rights.
There are several ways to prove negligence. The most common is to show that the owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect a victim. This is usually done through a police report, a dog control report, and an investigation of the animal’s history.
In some cases, a dog owner may be liable for damages even if the victim did nothing wrong. A dog’s owner may be liable if they knew the dog was prone to causing injury, but didn’t do anything about it. This is similar to how a landlord can be held liable for a dog’s dangerous behavior.
A common law negligence standard for dog bite claims has been derived from numerous court decisions. The rule is usually cited as the “one bite rule.” This rule holds that a dog owner is responsible for injuries resulting from a dog’s bite only if the dog was known to be vicious before the bite occurred. This may be difficult to prove if the dog was never known to be vicious before the incident.
Another rule of thumb is that a dog’s first bite is a warning. This means that a dog’s owner is on notice that the dog may be dangerous. The dog’s owner must take reasonable steps to prevent an attack from occurring. In some cases, a dog’s owner may be liable for damages even if the dog didn’t bite.
A more complicated rule of thumb is that two or more dogs can cause damage at the same time. In this case, the dog owner is liable for both the damage caused by the first dog and the damage caused by the second. The owner may be held liable for both economic and non-economic damages.
Generally speaking, the best way to prove negligence is to show that the dog owner was aware of the dog’s dangerous propensities, but didn’t take any action to prevent it.
Noneconomic damages
Depending on the severity of your dog bite injuries, you may be able to receive compensation for noneconomic damages. These include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and diminished quality of life. These damages may also include the costs of psychological treatment and permanent disfigurement.
When calculating damages for dog bite injuries, the plaintiff will provide evidence to prove the injuries. This evidence will be submitted to a claims adjuster. The adjuster will then investigate the details of the dog bite and determine the amount of compensation. This may take several months.
The claim settlement process may take longer if the injuries are severe. For example, a severely injured victim may need multiple surgeries. He may also need skin grafting to repair the wounds.
Economic damages are easier to calculate. They include medical costs, lost wages, and other financial losses. These damages are calculated by adding up all of the medical bills and other costs that the victim has incurred as a result of the dog bite.
Noneconomic damages are harder to calculate. They are more subjective. They can include pain, suffering, mental anguish, and emotional trauma. These damages can be awarded by a jury. They are typically proven by testimony from an injured party.
In order to receive compensation for noneconomic damages, the dog owner must have acted with malice or malicious intent. These damages are not often awarded in dog bite cases. However, they may be awarded in cases where the dog owner knows that the dog has bitten someone else.
Punitive damages are a form of money awarded in a dog bite case. Punitive damages are awarded if the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent. They must equal noneconomic damages.
In Ohio, there is a cap on noneconomic damages. This cap is $250,000. However, the law allows a plaintiff to claim three times that amount. This means that if a victim suffers a severe dog bite injury, he or she can receive up to $350,000.
If a dog bite causes severe injuries, the victim may be out of work for a long time. This time missed will lead to lost wages and reduced income.
Filing a lawsuit against the dog owner
Depending on your state’s dog bite laws, you may be able to sue the dog owner after a dog bite for damages. If you are bitten by a dog, you may be able to sue for injuries, including pain and suffering.
In general, you can sue the dog owner after a dog bit you, but you have to have a clear idea of what caused the attack to occur. Often, you can get some helpful information by contacting your local animal control department. You can also speak to your neighbors to find out if they have had a similar experience.
Most states have a dog bite statute that governs liability. These laws are either written by legislators or decided by state appellate courts. They vary from state to state, but in general, a dog owner is liable for damages if they negligently allow their dog to roam freely around people.
One of the best ways to sue the dog owner after a bite is to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. This is an option that should be investigated as soon as possible. The homeowner’s insurance company will likely pay for any medical bills you incur as well as any damages you may claim.
In addition, if you are a business owner, you should turn the matter over to your commercial general insurance carrier. Typically, a business owner who has been bitten by a dog is required to defend his or her employees in court, which may be a good idea.
Depending on the state in which the bite occurred, you may be required to display a “vicious dog” sign at the front door. In some cases, you may also be required to have your dog muzzled while in public. In addition to the aforementioned, you may also be required to have your pet rabies-shot if it was involved in the bite.
Lastly, you may want to consult with a dog bite attorney. An attorney is typically more knowledgeable than you are, and can help you to understand how to navigate your dog bite case.
Dog bite lawsuits can be quite complicated. It is best to have an attorney on your side to make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
Reintroducing your dog to the world
Having a dog bite lawyer will help you get the compensation you need after a dog bite. Most dog bite cases are settled out of court, and 97 percent of civil suits end up in a settlement. If you or your child has been bitten, seek medical attention and contact a lawyer immediately. You should get the name of the dog owner and get a copy of the attack record. Also, take pictures and video of the area where the attack occurred. You should also obtain contact information of the witnesses.
Dogs are animals, and they react according to their instincts. Sometimes they get excited and misinterpret your actions as dangerous. You should teach your children to be careful around dogs. Children and dogs are often like peas and carrots. But some dogs are more aggressive than others.
A dog bite lawyer will also help you maximize the leverage you have with an insurance company. Your dog bite lawyer can work with investigators and paralegals to gather evidence and research the case. In addition to your dog bite lawyer’s legal expertise, you will have access to a wealth of other resources. This is especially important if your dog bite lawyer has experience handling cases involving children.
In addition to your dog bite lawyer, you will also want to have a safety plan in place before you reintroduce your dog to the world. You will also need to ensure that you have a mental health professional in the hospital setting and at any time you meet another dog. In addition, your dog bite lawyer can help you with psychosocial support while you recover.
Dog bites are not uncommon, and it is important that you protect your family from these accidents.
