Animal Bites Attorney Overview

Lawyer Representation for People Injured by Dog Bites

People form strong relationships with dogs, cats, and other pets, often treating them as members of their families. As lovable as pets can be, they are still animals, and people may not realize that they have the capability for dangerous behavior. Even when animals have never displayed aggressive tendencies before, they can sometimes unexpectedly attack people, resulting in serious injuries. When this happens, an injured victim may be able to hold the owner of the animal that attacked them responsible for the harm that their pet caused.

People who have been injured in animal attacks should work with a personal injury attorney who understands the applicable state laws and who can help them understand their options for recovering compensation. A skilled lawyer can help ensure that an injury victim will be able to address damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Injuries from Animal Bites and Attacks

While many dog bites and other types of animal attacks may result in minor injuries, they can also cause significant, long-lasting harm, including:

• Severe lacerations or puncture wounds, which may be caused by strong bites, tearing motions, or an animal's claws
• Broken bones, which may occur due to forceful bites or when a person is knocked to the ground by an animal
• Injuries to internal organs due to bites, claws, or falls
• Loss of fingers or injuries requiring the amputation of a limb, which can occur due to vicious bites or severe lacerations
• Nerve damage caused by bites, which can limit a person's mobility and affect their fine motor skills, especially when wrists, hands, or fingers are injured
• Eye injuries that can cause loss of vision due to bites or scratches to the face
• Severe scarring or other types of disfigurement that may be caused by puncture wounds, lacerations, or injuries to the face or neck
• The contraction of communicable diseases such as rabies when infections are passed through a dog's teeth or claws into a person's bloodstream
• Emotional distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can make it difficult for a person to be around animals in the future or affect their ability to maintain employment

Animals other than dogs may also cause injuries, and their owners may be held liable. Cats may bite or scratch people, leading to issues such as lacerations, puncture wounds, or infections. Horses may kick people, leading to broken bones or other injuries. Other types of injuries may also need to be addressed, and the type of animal, the known risks of injury, and the steps the owner took to protect people's safety may be considered.

Liability for Dog Bites

Laws differ from state to state regarding how liability for animal bites is handled. In some states, an owner may be held liable for damages caused by their animal, regardless of whether they acted negligently or knew that a dog may have been dangerous. In these cases, an owner may be required to pay damages even if their animal did not previously show any vicious tendencies. There may be some exceptions to liability, such as when an injury victim was trespassing on private property or purposely provoked an animal.

In other states, an owner may only be held liable if they were aware that their animal was dangerous. These states follow what is known as a "one bite free" rule, since an owner may not be liable the first time a dog bites someone, but they will be liable for any subsequent bites or attacks. In most cases, an owner may be found to be negligent if they did not keep their dog on a leash or within a fence to ensure that it would not bite or attack people.

In "one bite free" states, liability often depends on whether an owner knew or should have known about their animal's vicious propensities. Factors that may be considered include the breed of the animal, an animal's history of aggressive behavior, previous complaints about the animal, training the animal has received, and whether the owner kept an animal confined or muzzled when they knew that it was dangerous.

Legal Representation for Dog Bite Victims

If you have been injured by a dog bite or an attack by another animal, a skilled personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances of your injury and determine whether the animal's owner can be held liable for the damages you have suffered. An attorney can help you obtain compensation that addresses the costs of medical care for your injuries, your need for ongoing rehabilitation, any impairment to your ability to earn an income, and the psychological harm caused to you and your family members.