Dog Bites

Not all dog bites will meet the laws and regulations to qualify for a dog bite personal injury case. Each incident presents unique factors that could disqualify a victim’s ability to sue for damages. Every state and county has various regulations in place. To understand the validity and strength of your potential dog bite claim, contact our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys to learn more about your specific circumstance. The following factors must be true for a dog bite victim to sue the dog’s owners.

• Documented physical injury to the person bitten. In some states, mental anguish can be included as damage from the dog bite attack, but it is rarely grounds for a suit without physical injury.
• The victim of the dog bite was lawfully in place. Therefore, if the person bitten was trespassing or committing a crime when the bite occurred, the dog’s owner may not be liable. For instance, if the bitten person was breaking into a home or assaulting the dog or the dog’s owner, the dog owner’s liability will likely be excluded.
• The statute of limitations. A lawsuit must be filed within a certain number of years. This varies by state, in Nevada, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of injury.

Liability In Dog Bite Cases

Liability refers to the person or entity responsible for personal injury. In dog bite cases, it can be difficult to prove liability and source the funds to compensate the victim’s medical expenses and other damages. In most states, liability will be determined by the dog owner’s negligence, the dog’s history, the circumstances of the attack, and the victim’s age. Depending on the dog owners’ living situation and insurance policy, a home insurance company may be responsible for paying damages. If not, the dog owner may be named solely responsible for paying damages. This can present issues if the dog’s owner does not have the financial means to cover the damages from this incident. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can fight for you to receive compensation for your injuries and are familiar with navigating even the most complex liability disputes.

Steps Of A Dog Bite Injury Case

1. Treatment. First, the injured party must have their injuries evaluated and treated by a doctor. The type of injuries and their severity, the cost of medical bills, and the future treatment required are the main factors in the outcome of a personal injury case.
2. Investigation. As the plaintiff, we must present evidence that our client was not at fault for their injury.
3. Negotiation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will work diligently to obtain the best possible recovery for your claim.