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?

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

Legal Distinction on Display: 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™


by Best Lawyers

The industry’s best lawyers and firms working in France are revealed in the newly released, comprehensive the 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™.

French flag in front of country's outline

Announcing the 13th Edition of Best Lawyers Rankings in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the newest edition of legal rankings in the United Kingdom, marking the 13th consecutive edition of awards in the country.

British flag in front of country's outline

Announcing the 16th Edition of the Best Lawyers in Germany Rankings


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™, featuring a unique set of rankings that highlights Germany's top legal talent.

German flag in front of country's outline

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

Celebrating Excellence in Law: 11th Edition of Best Lawyers in Italy™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Italy™, which features an elite list of awards showcasing Italy's current legal talent.

Italian flag in front of country's outline

Combating Nuclear Verdicts: Empirically Supported Strategies to Deflate the Effects of Anchoring Bias


by Sloan L. Abernathy

Sometimes a verdict can be the difference between amicability and nuclear level developments. But what is anchoring bias and how can strategy combat this?

Lawyer speaking in courtroom with crowd and judge in the foreground

Things to Do Before a Car Accident Happens to You


by Ellie Shaffer

In a car accident, certain things are beyond the point of no return, while some are well within an individual's control. Here's how to stay legally prepared.

Car dashcam recording street ahead

The Push and Pitfalls of New York’s Attempt to Expand Wrongful Death Recovery


by Elizabeth M. Midgley and V. Christopher Potenza

The New York State Legislature recently went about updating certain wrongful death provisions and how they can be carried out in the future. Here's the latest.

Red tape blocking off a section of street

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

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

Key Developments and Trends in U.S. Commercial Litigation


by Justin Smulison

Whether it's multibillion-dollar water cleanliness verdicts or college athletes vying for the right to compensation, the state of litigation remains strong.

Basketball sits in front of stacks of money

Is Premises Liability the Same as Negligence?


by Jeremy Wilson and Taylor Rodney Marks

In today's age, we are always on the move, often inhabiting spaces we don't own. But what happens when someone else's property injures you or someone you know?

A pair of silhouetted legs falling down a hole with yellow background

Woman on a Mission


by Rebecca Blackwell

Baker Botts partner and intellectual property chair Christa Brown-Sanford discusses how she juggles work, personal life, being a mentor and leadership duties.

Woman in green dress crossing her arms and posing for headshot

Best Lawyers Celebrates Women in the Law: Ninth Edition


by Alliccia Odeyemi

Released in both print and digital form, Best Lawyers Ninth Edition of Women in the Law features stories of inspiring leadership and timely legal issues.

Lawyer in green dress stands with hands on table and cityscape in background