Dog Bite Lawyer

A Dog Bite Attorney with The Advocates Can Help You

Nine out of ten times, a dog bite injury is frequently followed by expensive hospital visits. Dog bite-related injuries can result in nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and other problematic traumas. Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 dog bites becomes infected. More than 28,000 people in the U.S. underwent reconstructive surgery in 2015 because of dog attack injuries. A dog attack is always sudden and unexpected and can cause the troublesome medical bills to pile up. A dog bite should be covered by the owner’s homeowner insurance. Generally, homeowner insurance policies include liability if their dog attacks someone. Nevertheless, each policy is different and should be examined carefully.

Because insurance companies are trying to make a profit, they are sometimes slow to pay out claims. Insurance companies also benefit from the fact that victims do not normally know their rights. A personal injury lawyer can help in maneuvering unknown territory. They can help ensure that you receive fair compensation to help offset the high costs associated with a dog attack.

What Is My Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite injury and is still unsure about hiring a personal injury attorney, the Advocates Law will assess your case for free. The Advocates can help you determine if hiring an attorney is the best solution. Because every case is different, determining a definitive level of fair compensation can be challenging.  The value of your case depends largely on the particular details involved.  Each case is considered individually and many factors are taken into account including a person’s suffering, pain, etc.

Free Consultations With a Dog Bite Lawyer

dog bite lawyer montanaThe Advocates offers free consultations. This includes phone calls, chats (operated through the website) email, etc. When you call The Advocates, you can to speak with a dog bite lawyer immediately. This differs from other personal injury law firms where they will pencil you in for an appointment. With the Advocates, your dog bite attorney is able to give you advice and help review your case on the spot.

The Advocates’ dog bite lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay an attorney’s fee unless your case is successfully resolved.

Liability for a Dog Attack

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately to learn more about your legal options.

According to Florida dog bite law,the most common defendant is the owner of the dog; however, the degree of the owner’s liability varies between cases. In most cases, the owner is responsible for the dog’s actions regardless of whether they have any prior knowledge of the dog’s tendency to bite.

There are two limited exceptions to this rule in certain states. First, if the dog is provoked, the victim’s own negligence will be taken into account when determining damages. Second, if the bite occurs on the owner’s property, they usually cannot be found liable (unless the victim is under 6 years old) if there is an easily readable warning sign in a prominent place.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims?

A statute of limitations is a law that states the amount of time following an incident the victim has to file a claim. After this time period expires, victims of dog bites may no longer bring their claims. Because of the statute of limitations, dog bite victims should not wait to contact an attorney in regard to their claim.

What Damages Can I Recover if I Am a Victim of a Dog Bite?

Dog bite victims may be entitled to damages including:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

With years of experience handling dog bite cases,  attorneys have witnessed the devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects these injuries can have on their victims. We have seen clients suffer serious injuries that posed the risk of permanent scarring and costly medical bills for related treatments.

 

TYPES OF DOG BITE LAWSUITS

There are a few different types of dog bite lawsuits and determining which general category your claim falls under is an important first step.

  • AGGRESSIVE INCIDENTS

This category encompasses what most people think of when they think of a dog attack—a dog breaks loose from a leash and aggressively bites the victim. Cases may differ based on the type of dog, as some insurance policies will exclude coverage for breeds considered to be dangerous, like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers.

  • NON-AGGRESSIVE INCIDENTS

Dogs can bite without displaying any aggression at all. If not properly trained, a dog may nip when it gets excited, and depending on the breed, these bites may be enough to cause injury.

  • DOG ON DOG AGGRESSION

A dog acting aggressively can cause injuries to the people who happen to be nearby, as well as to the dog itself. The law may cover pain and suffering for humans, but it will not cover it for dogs.

 

WHAT TO DO AFTER BEING BITTEN BY A DOG

When you are bitten by a dog, it is important to follow a few steps to keep yourself as healthy as possible and that, from a legal standpoint, you have all you need to seek compensation:

  1. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

First and foremost, address your immediate medical needs. Because dog bites can lead to serious complications, it is important that you visit a doctor. Even a bite that seems relatively harmless can lead to infection if left untreated.

  1. DOCUMENT THE INCIDENT

Documenting the incident can be useful if you file a compensation claim. Some pieces of information worth documenting are:

  • File a dog bite report
  • Pictures of your injuries and the place where the incident took place,
  • Dog owner contact information
  • Details of any witnesses to the attack
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages

Generally speaking, the better documentation you have, the easier it will be to assess the amount of compensation you deserve.

  1. SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY

Finally, it is important that you contact a dog bite attorney. The laws in each state vary and consulting with an attorney who has experience in this area of law may help you in your pursuit of compensation.

 

Common Causes of Dog Bite Injuries in Miami

Why are dog bites happening so frequently in the state of Florida? What typically prompts a dog to attack and bite a person? Frequently cited causes of dog bites include:

  • Irritating a dog while it is eating, playing, or chewing
  • Touching or trying to move a dog against its will
  • Leaving children with dogs unsupervised
  • Attempting to break up a dog fight
  • Trying to protect another person from a dog bite, and
  • Abusing or mistreating a dog.

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can inflict a wide range of injuries. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys are prepared to help you fight for compensation for any dog bite injuries, including:

  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Soft tissue injury
  • Eye injury
  • Head injury
  • Brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Amputation
  • Paralysis, and
  • Other serious injuries.

Dog bite injuries can also be fatal. If you have lost a loved one because the extent of their dog bite injuries, our Miami personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for wrongful death. Contact our Miami office today to learn more about your legal options.

 

ONTARIO DOG ATTACK LAWS

In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act is the law that governs who will be responsible when a dog bites someone. Ontario places strict liability on the owners of dogs that attack other people or animals. The owner of a dog will be found “strictly liable” for the injuries caused by his or her dog on others. The law does not permit for a dog owner to dispute who was at fault or whether the dog had a tendency to bite. In the end, the dog owner is automatically financially responsible for covering your damages. In other words, under Ontario dog bite law, a dog that bites is the absolute responsibility of its owner. This concept is called strict liability under dog bite law in Ontario.

An property owner can also be responsible for a dog bite or dog attack in Ontario under a law called the Occupiers’ Liability Act. The Act mandates that anyone that owns or occupies a premise in Ontario needs to reasonably protect their visitors from foreseeable harm. Anyone that owns or occupies a premise in Ontario, whether a farm, a residential home or a any type of establishment – owes a duty of care to ensure that anyone that steps foot on their property is safeguarded against danger and defects on the property, including vicious dogs with a propensity to bite and attack.