Call an Attorney After Getting Bit by a Dog

Dog bites are common, with millions of incidents per year, according to -. Fortunately, most of these are minor, and the wounds heal right away. However, almost a quarter of them will be serious enough to merit medical attention. A few cases may even result in death. There are various laws in different states concerning dog bites and liability. Some have higher standards than others. Dog owners may be held liable for the attacks if they were found to be negligent. Animals by themselves are often not pursued because of their lack of legal status.

Common Law

In some states, a pet owner may only be liable for injuries caused by his dog if it can be proven that he knows how dangerous it can be. They have established a one-bite rule in which the first offence may be considered as a warning. Once a dog has a record of violent behavior, the owner must take precautions to prevent a recurrence of the attack. It is only on the second and succeeding incidents that liability comes in. For instance, breaks along the fence may be fixed to prevent the dog from getting out and harming the neighbors.

Strict Liability

There are states that consider the owners liable for all types of injuries cause by their dogs no matter how these happened. On the other hand, the victim must prove to the court that they did not provoke the attack. They must prove that they were acting peacefully, such as simply walking by when the dog came out of nowhere to bite them. Those who were abusing, tormenting, or teasing a dog cannot sue for damages. They must also be acting within the bounds of the law. For example, they cannot seek damages if they were trespassing inside a property.

Mixed Law

Other states use a mixture of the concepts for common law and strict liability for a balanced outlook. They might only consider liability if the owner has reason to believe that the dog may be dangerous. Owners could provide defenses such as those allowed in strict liability states. Victims may also need to present proof of non-provocation before they can get a claim. This would be a witness testimony, a CCTV footage, or some other form of evidence.

Dog bites can be dangerous and costly. Call an attorney,-, after getting bit by a dog. Lawyers can help you build your case for a successful claim or settlement.