Dogs bite people in different ways and can cause serious physical and emotional harm of an Individual. An accurate legal analysis of dog bites and injuries is essential for any individual who has been attacked and has a desire to obtain reimbursement. This blog will focus on the essential pieces of legislation regarding dog bites and the responsibilities that dog owners have as well as actions that victims can take.

Understanding Dog Bite Laws

State laws with regard to dog bite statutes are rather dissimilar. While some states recognize the one bite rule law other states have the strict liability laws. The “one bite rule” is a rule that entitles the owner to only be legally faced when he/she knows, or reasonably ought to have known, that his/her dog was a threat. However, a sting or strict liability laws will reopen the claim for any injury that the dog caused if the dog belongs to the defendant. For this reason, it is necessary to acquaint with the listed particular laws in your state in regard to dog bite incident in order to be aware of the following steps.

Determining Liability in Dog Bite Cases

The laws concerning the liability especially in the event where a dog has bitten someone are relatively intricate. Generally, the law puts any blame on the owner of the dog and whoever or whatever the dog may have injured. But it may not be the final scene because other parties may also be legally liable under certain circumstances. For instance, a landlord has a duty to desist from acts tending to cause harm to third parties; in this case, the dog is dangerous. Also, the owners of the other dog or the dog walker, or the pet sitter accompanying the dog during the incident might also be held legally responsible. In most of the cases, an effort is likely to be made to prove negligence demanding much struggle in attempting to acquire evidence of negligence.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

In case you or your close one has been bitten by a dog the necessary measures should be taken instantly in order to protect one’s health as well as legal status. First, consult your doctor to treat the harms and avoid bacterial invasion on the affected part of the body. Photograph your injuries and maintain a file of all medical treatment you receive for your injuries.

Make a report to the local animal control authorities and ensure to get a copy of the report filed. As a first step, the concerned people need to gather some information about the dog owner, the latter’s name and address and whether the owner has some insurance to cover for the dog’s medical needs. If there are any eyewitnesses to the occurrence, take their details too.

Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim

Dog bite injury case can be a rather complicated claiming process, yet this is the only way to recover damages. It begins by reaching out to a practicing personal injury lawyer to handle the case involving a dog bite. In general, your attorney will assist you in gathering the evidence, constructing the case and dealing with the insurance companies. Dog bite settlement might involve reimbursement of the expenses paid on medical bills, lost salaries, and any other effect of the attack. Sometimes punitive damages may also be given to punish the owner of doxim for especially negligence conduct.

Proving Negligence in Dog Bite Cases

If the victim wants to win the case for a dog bite injury, then the victim needs to prove that the owner of the dog was negligent. This involves posing that the owner had a duty not to permit such an attack to occur and that the owner did not meet this duty. Related evidence that are usually tender in court include the testimony of the witnesses, the doctor’s reports and photographs of the affected area. Further, experience of previous violations with the dog or previous attacks are equally useful in proving negligence. An experienced lawyer will also know the right approach to presenting this evidence for the enhancement of your case.

Defenses in Dog Bite Cases

Possible defenses that may be raised by a dog owner in a dog bite injury claim include; The most common defense that an owner can take is provocation, whereby the owner claims that the victim provoked the dog before the attack. Another type of justification is that of trespassing wherein the owner argues that the victim was a trespasser during the time of the commission of the crime. There may also be a defense of comparative negligence, which is always an argument that the victim contributed to the occurrence of the event.

The Importance of Legal Representation

Dog bite injuries are tragedies that without the help of an attorney, it may be very hard to handle the legal matters involved. An accomplished personal injury attorney in panama city will stand up for your case, and will demand proper compensation of your losses.

They will follow your case from the moment of investigating the episode to negotiation of the insurance and representation before the court. This is because when you get a lawyer on your side you can concentrate on healing from your injuries as your lawyer seeks to get the best result for your case.

Conclusion

Dog biting also pose legal consequences and the victims suffer from physical and psychological trauma and the bills that accompany them. It is, therefore, important that one learn the dog bite laws, how to establish responsibility and the rightful action to take after the event.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact Dixon Injury Law for expert legal assistance. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping dog bite victims secure the compensation they deserve.