what kind of lawyer do you need for a dog bite

Who is liable when a dog bites another dog?

“Tilly was also the first dog I’ve ever ... wasn’t used to mixing with other dogs and when he did he got territorial and saw them as threats. “On the face of things, the attack was unprovoked. Michael was a very responsible owner who was clearly ...

Who pays when a dog bites another dog?

• Was the dog bite victim in a public place or allowed to be on the privately owned property where the bite occurred?
• Has the victim identified the dog’s owner?
• Did the dog injure the victim by biting him or her?

How liable is an owner for a dog bite?

• Situations in which there was a provoked dog bite as a result of taunting or teasing the dog.
• Cases in which the dog bite occurred as the dog was protecting its owner or property.
• Cases in which the biting dog was working for the police or military at the time the bite occurred.

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What is the law on dog bites?

Whether you own a large dog or a miniature breed, and however calm and friendly your dog is, the Dangerous Dogs Act still applies to you. Under the Act, it's illegal for a dog to be 'out of control' or to bite or attack someone. The legislation also makes it an offence if a person is worried or afraid (the term is 'reasonable apprehension') that a dog may bite them.

Can you sue a dog for biting you?

In order to file a lawsuit against your neighbor after a dog bite you must have sustained physical or psychological injuries. Second, you must be within the statute of limitations. Under California law, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file suit against the owner.

Can I sue cause a dog bit me and her money?

Victims who have been bitten by a dog can sue for financial compensation that covers their legal damages. This goes beyond just paying for the victim's medical care. In some cases, the dog owner's insurance company will cover the verdict or settlement.

How is dog bite settlement calculated?

A per diem system is used to calculate these types of awards, where at the jury's discretion, a monetary amount is determined for the daily physical pain and any emotional hardship that the victim has suffered. That daily amount is then multiplied by the number of days that pain and suffering went on for.

Is a dog always at fault when it bites a person?

In the state of California, dog owners are held strictly liable for dog bites. Regardless of the dog's history, the owner is responsible for the dog's actions. There are some states in which a dog's first instance of biting someone is “forgiven” in the eyes of the law.

How much money can I get from a dog bite?

The average dog bite settlement can vary depending on the severity of the injuries. However, according to a report, the average dog bite payout is $30,000. This figure takes into account both physical damages and emotional pain and suffering.

How long does it take to get money from a dog bite?

To answer generally how long it takes for negotiations to conclude and a claim to settle, it can take up to three months on average. Remember, this is just a general estimate, and you shouldn't expect your case to follow this same timeframe. It can take longer and even shorter than three months to receive compensation.

What is a Level 4 dog bite?

Level 4: One-four deep punctures from a single bite and lacerations or bruising from the dog holding on or shaking. Level 5: Multiple bite incident with more than 2 Level 4 bites. Level 6: Victim death.

What happens when a dog bite is reported?

When a bite is reported, animal control can verify the dog is up to date on vaccinations, including rabies. Animal control will open a file on the incident which will include anything they find out during an investigation, especially if the bite required medical attention.

What is the average settlement for a dog bite in California?

The average dog bite settlement reported in the United States in 2015 was $32,000. Some states remain more expensive. A few years later in 2019, in California, the average dog bite payout was $51,264.60, with 2,396 reported insurance claims. This means CA paid out over $122.83 million in damages on behalf of victims.

What states have a one bite rule?

Sixteen states currently have the one-bite rule: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York*, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota**, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.

How do you defend a dog bite case?

Possible Defenses in Dog Bite CasesProvocation and Negligence. If the injured person provoked the dog to attack—either purposely or negligently—the owner may not be held liable for the resulting injuries. ... Assumption of the Risk. ... Trespassing and Recovery. ... Police and Military Dogs. ... Other Injuries. ... Sources:

What you should do if your dog bites someone?

Attend to the bite victim: Help them wash the wound with warm soap and water thoroughly. Contact medical professionals on their behalf, and call an ambulance if needed. Even if the bite does not look very bad, they should still be seen by a medical professional because bites can turn serious quickly.

Can you argue that your dog bit someone?

In states that follow a " one bite rule ," you may be able to argue that you did not know (and could not have reasonably been expected to know) that your dog might end up biting someone.

Can a personal injury attorney defend against a dog bite?

You may be wondering how a personal injury attorney might be compensated if you decide to hire one to defend against a dog bite lawsuit. In many situations, your homeowners' insurance policy will kick in to cover the costs of defending a lawsuit over a dog bite, especially when it occurred on your property. So the insurance carrier should pay your ...

What to do if your dog bites someone?

If your dog bites someone, or you or your pet were injured by someone else’s dog, you may need to hire a dog bite attorney . Since applicable laws vary by state, a local dog bite attorney can tell you whether you have a legal claim, the potential extent of your liability, what types of defenses may be utilized, and the possible legal ...

What is dog bite liability?

Owners also have to obey local leash laws and statutes that create liability for those who own particularly dangerous animals or specific breeds of dogs. Additionally, in some states, people other than the dog owner may be held liable for injuries. For example, parents of a dog-owning minor, animal caretakers (such as dog sitters or a kennel), property owners, and landlords could be held responsible in some situations.

What Can I Do if I'm Injured by a Dog?

You have several options if you're bitten by someone's dog. For starters, you can pursue an insurance claim with the dog owner's insurance company. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover an initial dog bite claim that occurs on the insured's property, and many policies also will cover a bite that occurs off of the property if the dog is owned or kept on the property.

What happens if you get a dog bite lawsuit?

Depending on the jurisdiction, a successful lawsuit can result in awards that cover medical bills, lost income, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages. Knowing which laws, damages, and defenses apply to your situation can be difficult. If you’re dealing with a lawsuit involving injuries caused by a dog, contact an experienced dog bite attorney in your area today.

Can you sue a dog owner for a dog bite?

You can also file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner or caretaker for damages. Some state statutes even allow these lawsuits to cover other types of dog-related injuries, not just dog bites. Dog bite attorneys play a vital role in these lawsuits since they know the applicable laws of your state, how to calculate damages, ...

Can you be held liable for a dog bite?

Whether you can hold someone liable for your dog bite injuries will depend on the laws of your state and the strength of your case. In some states, the “one-bite” rule is used and imposes liability if the owner knew or had reason to know their dog was dangerous, for example if the dog bit someone in the past. Other statutes impose strict liability where the injured person only has to show that their injury was caused by the dog bite while they were in a place they had the legal right to be, regardless of precautions taken by the owner.

Does insurance cover dog bites?

Many homeowners insurance policies will cover an initial dog bite claim that occurs on the insured’s property. In these cases, a dog bite attorney can be very helpful in dealing with the insurance company and using their knowledge and experience to negotiate a fair settlement.

Understanding Your Options if You are Bitten or Injured by a Dog

There is a difference between being bitten or being injured by a dog in Michigan. Michigan is a statutory strict liability state with a dog bite statute, which means that a dog owner is responsible for an injury to another person whether or not they knew the dog had a vicious propensity.

Why You Need to Hire a Lawyer in the Event of a Dog Bite Injury

In the event of a minor injury, if the owner agrees to pay the medical bills and you can settle it between you, it’s not always necessary to involve a lawyer. If serious injuries or trauma are incurred, then you should consult a lawyer immediately.

Contact a Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites can be traumatizing, particularly if the injuries are serious or if they involve young children. If a dog bites you or your child, you should contact an experienced dog bite lawyer at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. at 1-866-Mich Law ( 1-866-642-4529) or at www.cochranlaw.com.

Why do people fail to get compensation without a lawyer?

You see, if it’s a stray dog, it’s the state or the city that needs to pay the compensation , and they all have many lawyers by their side who will do their best to not pay you. For a person who doesn’t understand the law and how these things work, it’s difficult to end up winning the case, especially if things escalate and people end up filing lawsuits.

Can you get bit by a dog?

Getting bit by a dog is something that can happen to any person, regardless of the dog is a stray one or it has an owner. Getting compensation for it is pretty impossible without a lawyer so we suggest calling one as soon as the unfortunate event happens.