my dog was attacked what kind of lawyer do i need

by Mya Leffler Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 8 min read

If your dog has injured another person or animal, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. An experienced attorney can prepare possible defenses, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and represent you in court. Jose Rivera

Skilled attorneys who specialize in dog bites make their careers dealing with personal injury. They will talk to the insurance company for you to make sure you receive fair compensation. Another option is to file a lawsuit against the pet's owner.

Full Answer

Can I file lawsuit if another dog attacks my Dog?

What kind of lawyer do I need if my dog bit someone? Answer Most personal injury lawyers should be able to handle a dog bite injury case, and you typically don't need to worry about finding an attorney who specializes in "dog bite defense" cases as opposed to one who handles work on the plaintiff's side.

What are the laws on dog attacks?

Aug 09, 2018 · A personal injury attorney can identify insurance policies that may apply and work to help get payment for all medical bills associated with a dog bite. 2. Lost Income. If you missed work because someone’s dog hurt you, you may be entitled to pay for lost time or income.

What to do in the case of a dog attack?

A lawyer who specializes in personal injuries or injury to property (called “torts” in the law) should be able to handle the case. However, due to the limited potential for recovery of damages in animal cases, it is possible to pay more for an attorney’s services than you are likely to recover if you win your case, barring an award for punitive or emotional distress damages.

What is the average settlement for a dog bite?

Aug 22, 2018 · If you need to file suit, or you’re just not sure what to do, contact a personal injury attorney. It won’t cost anything to meet with an attorney skilled in dog-bite cases. Most dog bite lawsuits are settled by insurance companies before the case ever gets in front of a judge, for a much higher settlement amount than would have been offered to a dog-bite victim without …

What is the average settlement for dog attack?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, these are the numbers of average payouts for a dog bite in the top 10 states in America for 2019: California – Average dog bite payout $51,264.6 over 2,396 claims totaling $122.83 million.

What do you do after a dog attacks your dog?

If your pet is attacked by another dog, call animal control and the police as soon as your pet is safe. You want to call the authorities for several reasons. First, you want to create a record of the events that occurred. This record may be useful when bringing a claim against the dog owner.Jan 13, 2021

Can you sue if someone hurts your dog?

If someone has injured or killed your dog, whether it was on purpose or an act of negligence, you can file a civil lawsuit against that person. There has to be enough proof, though, to point to malicious intent or some degree of negligence in order to recover any damages.

Can you sue if someone hurts your pet?

If someone—or another animal—has injured your dog or cat, you may be able to receive compensation in a civil lawsuit against the responsible person. It's bad enough to watch your pet suffer or die. But it can be particularly upsetting if the injury was needless, and you think someone else was to blame.

What should you not do after a dog fight?

How To Break Up a Dog Fight and What To Do After

There are generally 2 types of fights. ...
Don't: Wait until a fight to think about how to break it up. ...
Don't: Panic or yell. ...
Don't: I don't suggest grabbing the back of the collar or reaching in with your hands but I have done it. ...
Don't: Don't hit, punch, or yell.

Can a dog be traumatized after being attacked?

In short, the answer is yes, a dog can be traumatised after a dog attack. Alongside the physical scars of the wounds they have gained, the dog may be emotionally scarred from the traumatic event, and you will need to be on the lookout for behaviour that might indicate your dog has been affected in this way.

Can a dog be put down for attacking another dog?

A dog that was raised to fight or was trained as an attack dog can be euthanized after a single bite, if the bite caused substantial injuries. A hearing is required before the dog can be euthanized. Before a dog can be euthanized, there must be a hearing.

Can I sue if my dog was attacked by another dog?

If you want to sue the owner of the other dog who attacked your dog you will need to prove that they were somehow negligent. This usually means that they failed to properly control or contain their dog. The negligence of the other dog owner will depend on the circumstances of the attack.Sep 21, 2020

Are dog owners liable for damage?

As can be seen above, a possessor of an animal is liable for the injuries and damages caused by his pet. Even if one is not the owner but the actual possessor of the dog, he can still be held liable.

What to do when your neighbors dog attacks your dog?

There are a few steps you can focus on after an attack to protect your safety and your legal rights.

Identify the dog's owner. ...
Contact animal control. ...
Get treatment for your injuries. ...
Gather evidence of the attack. ...
Contact an experienced dog bite attorney.

Can someone sue you if your dog jumps on them?

If the dog jumping up on the individual didn't cause any injuries, for example, they likely won't have much luck trying to sue you. However, if your dog does cause injury and you are found negligent in the circumstance, the individual could potentially bring a suit against you.Oct 1, 2021

How do you value a dog?

The traditional measure of the value of a dog is the cost of replacing the dog. The replacement cost of a dog, however, can be miniscule when compared to the amount of money it would take to take away the emotional pain suffered by the dog's owner, if the dog is injured or killed.

Has Another Dog Injured Your Dog?

For most of us, our dogs are like family. We watch them grow, train them, feed them, and take care of them. The bond we form with our dogs is built...

Your Rights as A Dog Owner

If your dog has been injured or killed by another dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind: 1. If the attacking dog is already listed as...

Bit While Protecting Your Dog?

We see this happen all too often: you're out for a walk with your dog when another dog starts barking and growling. Instinctively, you reach out to...

Is a dog owner responsible for a dog attack?

Some state laws maintain a dog owner has strict liability for injuries caused by their dog. This means the owner is responsible for any dog attack injuries, even if the owner followed all the rules .

How to prepare for a dog attack?

Preparation starts with the victim identifying the attacking dog and the dog’s owner. Contact the dog’s owner directly or by sending a notification letter to tell them of their dog’s attack, and to make it clear you hold them responsible.

Can a dog bite victim file a claim with insurance?

When the dog owner has a homeowner’s insurance policy, the dog-bite victim can file an injury claim directly with the insurance company. But that doesn’t mean the insurance company will just hand over a settlement check.

What is the one bite rule?

Other states have a “one-bite” rule that makes a dog-bite victim prove the owner did something wrong or failed to do what any reasonable dog owner would do. To make it even more complicated, states have different laws about “contributory negligence.”.

Can dogs attack other dogs?

Sometimes aggressive dogs can attack other dogs – or even people – causing serious injury and incurring expensive medical bills. Many pet owners call our law firm after their dog has been attacked or seriously injured by another dog.

What happens if a dog is attacked by another dog?

If your dog has been injured or killed by another dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind: 1 If the attacking dog is already listed as a "dangerous dog," the owner may be responsible for harboring an aggressive or violent animal and held liable for any damages or veterinary bills. 2 If the attacking dog is listed as "dangerous" and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. 3 If other owner violated your state's leash laws, he or she may be held responsible for any veterinary costs.

What is a dog lawyer?

A “dog lawyer,” or more accurately, an animal lawyer or animal law attorney, is an attorney who specializes in matters of animal law. Circumstances in which you may need sound legal advice and representation from someone with extensive experience with dog-related cases are not limited to dog bite incidents. Veterinary malpractice cases, custody ...

What to do if you are sued for a dog bite?

If you are sued for damages, you will need a lawyer. An animal law attorney familiar with your state’s bite laws and experienced in dog bite cases will be your best choice. Estate planning. Many dog owners want to provide for the care of their animals after they die.

What is animal law?

A relatively new and diverse legal specialty, animal law is an umbrella term encompassing all types of non-human animals. Animal law includes animals used in research, sports or entertainment, livestock, animals in the wild and wild animals in captivity, as well as companion animals.

Can you leave a dog in a trust?

Most states now allow trusts for animals. By establishing a legally enforceable pet trust you can leave property for the benefit of your dog, with a trustee in charge of managing it. You may also name a new owner for your dog in your will or in a revocable living trust.

Is animal law a specialty?

In general, it’ s not a specialty that is financially viable practiced on its own. Lawyers and law firms who offer animal law as one of their specialties will provide the expertise and experience to assist you in pursuing your legal matter that others who only dabble in animal law may not.

What is veterinary malpractice?

Veterinary malpractice is professional negligence, an error that should not be made based on a level of competence expected of a veterinarian as a result of specialized training and experience, which results in injury or death to your dog.

What to do if a dog bites you?

If a dog bites you, one of the first steps, aside from seeking the necessary medical attention if the situation is urgent, is to get the information from both the owner and their dog.

Do dogs need a license?

In most states, dogs require a license and to be registered to an owner. And just because a dog is with a human, doesn’t mean that person is their owner. Clarify if that person is indeed the owner and if not, ask for the owner’s information. Be sure you get the information of the person who was with the dog at the time of ...

What to do if you are hurt and want to get compensation?

If you’re seriously hurt and want to receive financial compensation for your medical bills, missed work or pain and suffering, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer. They can help determine your options and see if a legal proceeding is the best course of action.

Why is it important to keep a log of your legal action?

Keeping a log is helpful regardless of whether or not you take legal action, but can be especially helpful to your lawyer once it does come time to settle the case or go to court. Legal proceedings don’t move quickly. There’s a lot of back and forth and time spent waiting for the next move.

Is a dog owner liable for a dog bite?

In some states, owners are liable for dog bites if they knew their animals were likely to hurt someone. Several other states—including Florida, New Jersey, and California—have strict-liability laws that make pet owners legally responsible for almost all dog-bite injuries, regardless of the animals' tendencies or the owners' carelessness.

What happens if a dog is declared dangerous?

If your dog has been declared dangerous and you haven’t successfully appealed that decision, some states allow or require authorities to order the animal destroyed. Otherwise, you’ll have to follow a long list of restrictions in order to keep your dog.

How long do you quarantine a dog after rabies?

Even if your dog has been vaccinated for rabies, you’ll typically have to make the animal available for a 10-day quarantine and observation by local public health officials or a vet. In some states, the quarantine can take place in your home, but only if you meet certain conditions.

What happens if a dog bites someone?

Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the victim’s injuries, and whether your dog has a history of biting people, you might face proceedings under state laws or local ordinances known as dangerous-dog laws. Assuming someone reported the attack, animal control or law officers may impound your dog and start proceedings to have it declared dangerous. Although the procedures vary from state to state, there will usually be an administrative hearing. You’ll have a right to be notified about the proceeding, as well as the right to challenge the outcome.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit?

The deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits vary from state to state, but they're typically two or more years.

There are many good reasons to hire a lawyer to handle a dog bite claim

One of the best reasons is that less than 1% of dog bite victims get compensated. Dogs bite at least 4.7 million Americans per year, but insurance companies pay only 15,000 to 16,000 victims. See InsuranceQuotes.com, " Despite home insurance coverage, many dog bites go unreported and uncompensated ," (February 2012).

Getting a lawyer is not the same thing as suing. A good attorney knows how to present a case to an insurance company so that the claim gets resolved without it going to court

At least 98% of bodily injury cases settle out of court, without a trial. Therefore a person who retains an attorney is not making matters worse, but actually is probably ensuring that the claim will be handled more quickly and efficiently.

Can a Dog Owner Face Homicide Charges?

Sometimes, a dog owner can be charged with murder or manslaughter when someone dies as a result of a dog attack:

Are there Other Relevant Criminal Charges Involving Dogs?

Dog owners can face charges of destruction or concealment of evidence if they destroy or conceal a dog after it commits an attack.

Should I Contact an Attorney if My Dog Attacked Someone?

Penalties for owners of dangerous animals can be quite severe. If your dog has injured another person or animal, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. An experienced attorney can prepare possible defenses, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and represent you in court.