Dog Bite Attack Lawyers

Yes, you can typically sue for a dog bite injury if you've been bitten or attacked by a dog and suffered injuries as a result. Dog bite laws vary by jurisdiction, but in many places, you have the right to pursue legal action against the dog's owner or other liable parties to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Dog bite injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe wounds requiring surgery and long-term medical care. In addition to physical injuries, victims may also experience psychological trauma, such as fear of dogs or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These injuries can have a significant impact on your quality of life, affecting your ability to work, socialize, and enjoy daily activities.

To successfully sue for a dog bite injury, you generally need to establish the following:

Ownership or Control: You must demonstrate that the person you're holding responsible for the dog bite either owned the dog or had control over it at the time of the incident. This is usually straightforward if the dog's owner is known, but it can be more complex if the dog was in someone else's care, such as a dog walker or pet sitter.

Bite or Attack: You need to provide evidence that you were bitten or attacked by the dog. This can include medical records documenting your injuries, witness statements, and photos of the bite wounds.

Liability: You must show that the dog's owner or other responsible party was negligent or violated a relevant law or ordinance, such as leash laws or laws governing dangerous dogs. In some jurisdictions, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, meaning they can be held responsible regardless of whether they were aware of the dog's dangerous tendencies.

Damages: You need to demonstrate the damages you've suffered as a result of the dog bite, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

If you've been injured in a dog bite incident, a dog bite attorney from Morgan & Morgan can evaluate the specifics of your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Morgan & Morgan can guide you through the legal process, gather evidence to support your claim, and advocate on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected.

Liability for a dog bite injury typically falls on the owner of the dog. In legal terms, this is often referred to as "strict liability," meaning that the owner can be held responsible for the actions of their dog regardless of whether they were aware of the dog's propensity to bite or act aggressively.

However, liability can also extend to other parties under certain circumstances. For example:

Property Owners or Landlords: If a dog bite occurs on rented property or someone else's property, the property owner or landlord may also be held liable if they were aware of the presence of a dangerous dog on the premises and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an attack. This could include failure to properly secure the property or warn visitors about the presence of a dangerous dog.

Caregivers or Handlers: In some cases, if someone other than the owner was responsible for the care or control of the dog at the time of the bite, such as a dog walker or pet sitter, they may also be held liable for the injury.

Third Parties: If a third party, such as a dog trainer or veterinarian, contributed to the dog's aggressive behavior through negligence or misconduct, they may also be held liable for injuries caused by the dog.

It's important to note that liability laws vary by state, and there may be additional factors to consider depending on the circumstances of the dog bite incident. Morgan & Morgan dog bite attorneys can evaluate the specifics of your case and help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation.

If you've been injured in a dog bite incident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your case and the laws in your jurisdiction. Compensation for a dog bite injury may include:

Medical Expenses: You can seek compensation for all medical expenses related to treating your injuries, including hospital bills, doctor's visits, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, including both past and future earnings. This can include wages lost due to time taken off work for medical treatment and recovery, as well as any decrease in earning capacity resulting from permanent injuries.

Pain and Suffering: Dog bite injuries can cause physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to provide monetary relief for the physical and emotional toll of the injury, including pain, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.

• Scarring and Disfigurement: If the dog bite results in visible scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation for the cosmetic impact of the injury. This can include compensation for any necessary cosmetic procedures or surgeries to repair or minimize scarring.
• Permanent Disability or Impairment: If the dog bite results in a permanent disability or impairment that affects your ability to perform daily activities or work, you may be entitled to compensation for the long-term consequences of the injury, including ongoing medical care, assistive devices, and accommodations.
• Property Damage: If the dog bite incident also caused damage to your property, such as torn clothing or damage to personal belongings, you may be entitled to compensation for the cost of repair or replacement.
• Legal Fees and Costs: In many cases, the dog owner's homeowner's insurance policy may cover the costs of defending against a lawsuit and paying any damages awarded to the victim. However, if necessary, compensation may also include reimbursement for legal fees and court costs incurred in pursuing your claim.

Consult with Morgan & Morgan’s experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your case, assess the full extent of your damages, and help you pursue the maximum compensation available to you under the law.

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including dog bite injuries, varies by state. It's important to consult with Morgan & Morgan as soon as possible to ensure that you take action within the required timeframe.

While most personal injury cases, including dog bite injuries, are resolved through settlement negotiations with the insurance company, some cases may require litigation and go to court. Your attorney will advise you on the best course of action based on the specifics of your case.

At Morgan & Morgan, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay any upfront costs. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fee is typically a percentage of the amount we recover on your behalf.

Hiring a dog bite attorney from Morgan & Morgan is easy, and you can get started today with a free case evaluation.