Insight

Seeking Help from a Dog Bite Attorney

When is the dog's owner responsible for your injury, and what might that win you in court?

Can I Sue if a Dog Bites Me?
SW

Sophia Wright

July 26, 2018 01:00 PM

With a global stray dog population on the rise, the number of people bitten and attacked by dogs—stray or otherwise—has likewise increased in past few years. Some statistics report that more than 4.5 million people are the victims of dog bites each year in the United States. Of those, more than 6,000 are hospitalized for their injuries.

In the event of a bite, the dog’s owner is legally responsible to pay your medical expenses—assuming the incident occurred due to his or her neglect. An attorney specializing in these cases can help speed up the proceedings and will assist you in collecting the needful proof in support of your claim for damages and reimbursement. Moreover, an attorney can help you to better understand how the law relates to these particular injuries. Here are three steps to take with your attorney following a bite.

Read up on state laws

State laws vary, and so your legal protection (and what you can expect from proceedings) will likewise change from one place to the next. A local attorney practicing in your area will inform you of what the law is in the location in which you reside or were bitten. New Jersey, for example, has a “strict liability” law: In those cases, a dog’s owner need not have known the dog to be aggressive to be liable for its actions. In Nebraska, Tennessee, Washington, and other states, there are limits as to whether an owner might be liable for injury, including whether the dog was provoked, if the dog was sick with rabies, if the victim was trespassing, and if the dog was a law enforcement dog.

Still, there are points of consistency from one state to the next. Generally, it is essential for the victim to prove that the owner was neglecting his animal or that the accident occurred due to negligence on the part of the owner. An attorney with an understanding of animal control laws would offer valuable advice as far as how those laws could prove negligence—and in that way ensure proper payment for your medical treatment.

Know the gravity of your case

Some people take dog bite incidents lightly. In fact, even what seem like minor injuries—again, depending on your state—can be actionable and hold up in court. Even if the bite did not break the skin, a significant bruise or a lasting scar are grounds for damages. An attorney can help with the investigation and gather evidence following the bite.

Assuming your state does not have a strict liability law, your attorney might first investigate whether the dog owner knew his pet was dangerous. If the owner knew and despite that knowledge did not take the necessary steps to prevent the attack, this could be considered negligence. An investigation might also uncover whether this was the dog’s first aggressive action towards a human. If the victim was the second person the dog bit, and the owner was aware of the first, he can easily manage to claim for damages and reimbursement.

Use the facts you’ve gathered

Legal procedures are always based on evidence. You may not get any compensation if you failed to produce evidence, no matter the extent of your injuries or your certainty of the other party’s guilt.

Just as you might seek help from counsel, the owner of the dog may also enlist an attorney. The concerned owner might claim that the victim lured the dog, or point the judge’s attention to a “beware of dog” sign on their property. Solid evidence is the only way to be sure your case will hold up upon examination. Acting quickly, and with a reliable attorney, provides the best path forward for you should you need compensation to pay for medical bills after this injury.

--------------

Sophia Wright is a professional legal writer worked with many companies. She is currently associated with West Coast Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles.

Related Articles

Claims on a Canine


by Lawrence J. Buckfire

Which factors will most influence the settlement amount in a case involving a dog attack? Here’s an overview.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

Trending Articles

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights.

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence


by Jennifer Verta

Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Digital map of Canadathis on illuminated by numerous bright lights

Discover The Best Lawyers in Spain 2025 Edition


by Jennifer Verta

Highlighting Spain’s leading legal professionals and rising talents.

Flags of Spain, representing Best Lawyers country

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

How to Increase Your Online Visibility With a Legal Directory Profile


by Jennifer Verta

Maximize your firm’s reach with a legal directory profile.

Image of a legal directory profile

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform


by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot


by Gregory Sirico

Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.

Graduation cap in air surrounded by pencils and money

Paramount Hit With NY Class Action Lawsuit Over Mass Layoffs


by Gregory Sirico

Paramount Global faces a class action lawsuit for allegedly violating New York's WARN Act after laying off 300+ employees without proper notice in September.

Animated man in suit being erased with Paramount logo in background

Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

The Future of Family Law: 3 Top Trends Driving the Field


by Gregory Sirico

How technology, mental health awareness and alternative dispute resolution are transforming family law to better support evolving family dynamics.

Animated child looking at staircase to beach scene

The Human Cost


by Justin Smulison

2 new EU laws aim to reshape global business by enforcing ethical supply chains, focusing on human rights and sustainability

Worker wearing hat stands in field carrying equipment

Social Media for Law Firms: The Essential Beginner’s Guide to Digital Success


by Jennifer Verta

Maximize your law firm’s online impact with social media.

3D pixelated thumbs-up icon in red and orange on a blue and purple background.

Introduction to Demand Generation for Law Firms


by Jennifer Verta

Learn the essentials of demand gen for law firms and how these strategies can drive client acquisition, retention, and long-term success.

Illustration of a hand holding a magnet, attracting icons representing individuals towards a central

ERISA Reaches Its Turning Point


by Bryan Driscoll

ERISA litigation and the laws surrounding are rapidly changing, with companies fundamentally rewriting their business practices.

Beach chair and hat in front of large magnify glass

The Litigation Finance Mass Tort Gold Rush


by Justin Smulison

Third-party litigation funding is transforming mass torts, propelling the high-risk area into a multi-billion-dollar industry

Gold coins with data chart backdrop