what kind of lawyer for dog attack

by Dr. Callie Cruickshank DDS 7 min read

What Kind of Lawyer Do You Need for a Dog Bite Injury? While many personal injury lawyers say they can handle dog bites, by seeking the services of an attorney with years of experience and knowledge when it comes to dog attack statutes and injury law like the lawyers of Goodwin & Scieszka, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Full Answer

Can I file lawsuit if another dog attacks my Dog?

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?

By hiring a professional trained personal injury lawyer from the office of Hutzler law, you can get the legal services you need in order to pursue a case related to a dog attack and injuries to you or a loved one. If you happen to be a victim of a dog attack, give us a call today at (602) 730-4530 or go online to fill out our free consultation ...

What to do in the case of a dog attack?

A dog bite attorney practices in the area of law known as personal injury. Lawyers in this field represent plaintiffs who have been injured in various types of accidents, including dog bites and animal attacks. If you or your child is attacked by a dog, a skilled lawyer can prove invaluable in helping you recover the money you deserve.

What is the average settlement for a dog bite?

Feb 17, 2012 · 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.

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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.

Can someone sue you for a dog fight?

You may be sued if your dog bites a person or attacks another animal. The person who's been harmed — or the person whose animals have been harmed — may file a civil lawsuit against you, seeking monetary redress. See our page on Stages of a Civil Trial for more information about what is likely to ensue, in that case.

How long does it take to settle a dog attack case?

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.

Is it worth suing for dog bite?

If the dog bite is severe, you have probably incurred significant damages including medical bills, lost wages, and possibly even permanent scarring. In these cases, it's usually worth pursuing legal action. If the bite was minor, you still might be able to recover compensation.

Can you be prosecuted if your dog attacks another dog?

If your dog has been attacked by another dog and suffered injury then you should take a note of the owner's details and consider reporting the incident to the police or your local council. If a dog is “dangerously out of control” then its owner can face criminal prosecution.

What if your dog attacks another dog?

What damages do you owe when your dog bites another dog? The damage can be pretty serious. You will owe for the injured dog's veterinary care, surgical costs, and related expenses. If the injured dog is a “companion animal,” damages may also include training and other costs.

How do you negotiate a dog bite settlement?

Tips On This Page:
  1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention.
  2. Report the Dog Bite to Local Authorities.
  3. Find Out About the Dog Owner.
  4. Check Your Local Dog Bite Laws.
  5. Collect Evidence to Support Your Claim.
  6. Know What Your Claim is Worth.
  7. Watch What You Say to the Adjuster.
  8. Emphasize You Did Nothing Wrong.
•
Oct 28, 2019

How long does a dog bite suit last?

In California, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit in your dog bite case is two years from the date of your dog bite. If you fail to file your complaint within this time period, the judge will most likely dismiss it without hearing your case.

How much is a dog bite suit in Jamaica?

$500,000 to $3 million
Fines ranging from $500,000 to $3 million or imprisonment from six months to 15 years, are being proposed as criminal penalties, where an individual is attacked by a dog.Nov 18, 2020

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 is the one bite rule for dogs?

A rule that says that the owner of a domesticated animal (e.g., a dog) will be held strictly liable for injuries caused by the animal only if the owner knew or should have known about the animal's dangerous or vicious propensities, which have been manifested in the past.

How many times can a dog bite another dog before being put down?

If a dog now has at least two biting incidents on its record due to the most recent dog bite, it can be euthanized after a court hearing. It is important to point out that these bites must have happened in two separate incidents, even if the dog bites more than one person in a single incident.Feb 5, 2021

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 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 does an animal law attorney do?

If you feel an error was made by your veterinarian in treating your pet, an animal law attorney can help you determine if the case is actionable (malpractice) or a case of simple negligence (carelessness) that does not constitute malpractice.

What is malpractice in veterinary medicine?

As with medical care for people, sometimes things go terribly wrong. 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. If you feel an error was made by your ...

What are some examples of animal law cases?

Veterinary malpractice cases, custody issues in divorces, and landlord-tenant disputes are just a few examples of when an animal law attorney can help with legal issues pertaining to your dog.

How many law schools offer animal law?

In 2000, nine law schools in the U.S. offered courses in animal law. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the number offering animal law courses has now increased to 100 of the 200 law schools approved by the American Bar Association. A decade ago, an attorney specializing in animal law might have raised eyebrows. But high profile legal cases in recent years involving dog fighting rings, tainted pet foods, and pet trusts amounting to millions of dollars, in addition to a greater presence of the animal welfare and animal rights movements in the legal arena, have added credibility and legitimacy to this fast emerging area of law.

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.

Why are animal lawyers important?

Part of the reason for the rapid increase in the number of animal lawyers is due to the rise in status of our companion animals and their importance in our lives. Today’s owners often spend thousands of dollars to provide their dogs or cats with the best health care, training, day care, and grooming. For those owners, attorney’s fees are viewed as just another necessary expense in caring for and protecting their pets.

Who is liable for wild animal attacks?

As briefly mentioned above, people who own wild animals will automatically become liable for any resulting injuries caused by their animal. Possessors or keepers of wild animals can be held liable as well.

What to do if you are bitten by an animal?

In the event that a person is bitten or attacked by an animal, they should consider taking some of the following steps, which can help them to preserve a claim for damages, including: Identifying the animal that caused the injury; Seeking medical attention when necessary;

Why is it important to have insurance for a dog bite?

Obtaining an insurance policy can be helpful in protecting against an owner’s liability for a dog bite or animal attack. For instance, some homeowner or renters insurance policies will cover damages for injuries caused by an animal. Other policies may not offer such coverage or it may depend on the type of animal that caused the harm. As such, it is important that an owner review the terms of a policy before choosing which insurance to purchase.

What is an example of a legal action for an animal attack?

For instance, suppose a person keeps a wild tiger in their apartment in a jurisdi ction that recognizes strict liability laws and the tiger severely injures or attacks a neighbor. That person will immediately become responsible for damages regardless of whether the neighbor instigated the attack.

What is an animal attack?

In general, an animal attack can be described as an attack by an animal that causes injuries and sometimes death to a human being. Laws related to animal attacks will define when an owner may be liable for resulting injuries. As such, the definition and legal consequences related to such actions will vary by state.

What is the difference between a commercial owner and a pet owner?

One primary difference between commercial owners and the average pet owner is that if properly proven, pet owners can usually be held responsible for the actions of their pet no matter what. On the other hand, some state statutes will require that the commercial owner is a privately owned establishment before certain types of lawsuits can be brought against them.

What is an animal keeper?

Animal keepers who are not the owners; People in possession of the animal who are not the owners (e.g., pet sitters); Employers whose businesses involve animals (e.g., pet shop owners, animal shelters, zoos, kennels. etc.), or allow animals on the property (e.g., cafes that permit dogs); Individuals who sell animals; Stable keepers; and.

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.

Can you protect your dog from an attacking dog?

We know most owners won't think twice about protecting their pet from an attacking dog. More often than not, they end up suffering bites or serious injury. Just know that you don't have to live with the cost of defending your beloved pet. The other dog's owner may be held responsible for your medical costs.

How to find an attorney for animal rights?

To find an experienced attorney, your best bet might be a personal referral from someone you know and trust. If that is not an option, contact your local animal shelter to see if they know of an attorney who handles animal law cases.

What is the Animal Legal Defense Fund?

Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been the leader in the fight to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your generous support is vital to our continued success.

What is a bar association?

Barring that, you can contact your local bar association. Bar associations are the licensing entities for lawyers.

What happens when someone kills an animal?

When someone kills or injures your animal, the law primarily (although not exclusively) sees this as an injury to “property.”. A lawyer who specializes in personal injuries or injury to property (called “torts” in the law) should be able to handle the case.

Is animal law a specialty?

Animal law is a relatively new, and growing, specialty within the law, and an increasing number of lawyers specialize in cases involving animals. In most cases, however, while it may be advantageous, it is not necessary to find an attorney who specializes in animal law specifically.

Does Animal Legal Defense Fund endorse any organizations?

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers this list for your convenience but does not endorse any of these organizations, and recommends that you research any terms and conditions before submitting any information. This list should not be considered exhaustive.

Can you pay more for an animal 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.

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