Are you a party to a Dog bite lawsuit? Do you need a lawyer? Dog bite
cases are serious and the services of a qualified attorney are invaluable.
Where can you find a good attorney? This website will help you with
resources and links to lawyers along with what to look for in attorneys.
Dog bite lawsuits can be very costly as can the medical bills and pain
and suffering caused by a dog bite. Get the best advice available and
then research your attorney before making a decision.
If you are a victim of a dog bite or other animal attack, you may be
able to recover damages from your injury. If you are the owner of a
dog or other animal, it is important to know your responsibilities in
the event it does attack someone else.
Victims of Dog Bites / Animal Attacks - What To Do?
The time period immediately following a dog bite or animal attack may be very stressful and confusing about what to do. To preserve you claim against the owner of the dog, try to do the following:
· Identify the animal that bit you. If the animal isn't caught and tested, you may be subject to a very painful series of rabies vaccinations
· Get the name, address, and telephone number of the person
who own the animal
· Get the name, address, and telephone numbers of all people
who witnessed the attack
· Get medical attention. Keep track of your medical bills and
treatments
· Photograph the wounds if possible
· Don't sign anything until you're had the chance to discuss
your matter with a lawyer.
Possible Recoveries for Victims of Dog Bites / Animal Attacks
Victims of dog bites or other animal attacks may be able to recover for:
· Medical treatments and medications
· Future medical treatment
· Psychological counseling
· Loss of work earnings
Animal Owner's Legal Responsibility for A Dog Attack
An animal owner may be legally responsible for the attacks of their dog or other pet. To protect themselves against liability, the animal owners should:
· Get Insurance - if you own a dog or other potentially dangerous
animal, be sure to have homeowner's or renter's insurance. Check your
policies. Some insurance companies do not cover animals or certain breeds
of dogs
· Become familiar with your state, city and community ordinances
on dog ownership.
o Some states have "strict liability" statutes, which mean
that if your animal attacks or bites someone, you are legally responsible
by virtue of your ownership of that animal.
o Other states require proof that the animal had a "propensity
for violence" and that you knew or should have known about this
animal's behavior before you become liable.
o Some statutes make special rules for pit bulls, rottweilers, chows,
akitas or other similarly aggressive breeds.
What To Do If Your Animal Bites or Attacks Someone
· Stay calm and be as nice and accommodating as possible
· Make sure that the victim gets medical attention
· Get the names, numbers and phone numbers of witnesses
· Avoid making any statements about the situation
· Locate and preserve your animals medical records including
proof of rabies shots
If you are a Victim of a Dog Bite / Animal Attack, Should You Hire a Lawyer?
If you or a loved one are a victim of a dog bite or other animal attack, you should speak to a lawyer immediately to learn more about preserving your rights and remedies. A lawyer will be able to explain the value of your case and help you navigate through the complicated legal process. Most lawyers who handle these types of personal injury matters work on a contingency basis.
What can you Do If Your Dog or Other Animal Attacks Someone?
If your dog or other animal attacks someone, and you believe you will be sued for the victim's injuries, you should speak to a lawyer immediately to learn more about your rights, your defenses and the complicated legal system.
http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/dog-bites-and-animal-attacks.html
Each year in the United States, approximately 4.7 million people become
victims of a dog bite injury. This means about two percent of the American
population. Of these people injured by a dog bite, approximately 800,000
(or 0.3 percent of the US population) require medical care. The average
hospital stay for a dog bite injury is three and a half days. Each year
an average of ten to twenty people are killed as a result of serious
dog bite injuries. Most of the people injured or killed from a dog bite
are children.
Dogs will bite people for a variety of reasons. A dog bite is more likely to occur if a dog is fearful, if they are acting to protect their owner(s) or territory, if they feel threatened and lacking in other alternatives, or if they are trying to establish dominance over the dog bite victim. When a female dog is in heat and there are male dogs present, there is a higher risk of becoming the victim of a dog bite. Male dogs are more likely to bite than females, dogs that are unaltered are more likely to bite, and dogs that are chained up or mistreated are more likely to bite. All dog breeds have the potential to bite, though fatal dog bite injuries involve Pit-bull and Rottweiler types more than fifty percent of the time.
There are many steps that can be taken to prevent dog bite injuries. Potential dog bite victims and dog owners must take these steps. Potential dog bite victims should educate themselves about dog communication (especially the signs a dog gives to indicate that s/he may bite), avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs, dogs who are chained up, dogs who are sleeping, eating, or playing with toys. These things should be taught to children as well, because they are more likely to become dog bite victims. In order to decrease the likelihood of dog bite injuries, dog owners should spay or neuter their dogs, socialize them as early as possible, humanely train them, follow leash and confinement laws, properly supervise them, and treat them humanely.
Be cautious with your dog in situations where a dog bite may be more
likely- such as new environments and situations, around children, and
in places that make the dog unsure, fearful, or potentially aggressive.
If you are a victim of a dog bite, you have the legal right to seek
compensation for your injuries. Laws regarding the legal rights of dog
bite victims vary from state to state and even from city to city. In
all US states, a dog bite victim can recover compensation for damages
from the following: a person whose negligence caused the dog bite, a
person in violation of animal restraint and confinement laws, and a
person who knowingly kept a dog with a history of aggression towards
people.
Sometimes other people can be held responsible for the dog bite incident as well. In certain circumstances landlords, day care centers, and previous owners of the dog can also be held accountable for dog bite injuries. In general, most laws place the responsibility for a dog bite on the dog's owner, and they are held liable for a dog bite victim's injuries and pain and suffering. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, it is important to contact a legal professional as soon as possible. For more information about dog bite injuries, please contact us to confer with an attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options.
http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/personal_injury/dog-bite/index.html
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