What To Consider Legally If You’ve Been Bitten By A Dog

It’s always a scary thing when you’ve been bitten by a dog. Aside from the injuries you suffered from the dog bite, you’ll get to deal with some legal issues about the incident. To help you with the legalities of dog bite cases, below are the things to consider legally when you’ve been bitten by a dog.

Things To Do When A Dog Bites You

Things can go out of control at the moment a dog bites you. You’ll panic, and as a result, you’ll not know what exactly you should do to deal with the situation. Here are the things you can do when you’ve been bitten by a dog:

1. Get Medical Assistance: Medical assistance is necessary in cases where you’ve been injured due to dog bites.

• When a dog bites you, you have to remember that seeking immediate medical attention is your foremost priority. It’s important that you take care of your well-being more than any else.
• You also have to keep in mind that a dog bite when untreated can cause severe injuries, infection and even death. That’s why it’s best if you get yourself medically treated as soon as you’ve been bitten by a dog.

2. Consult A Dog Bite Attorney: Once you’ve been medically assessed for your dog bite injury, you should consider speaking to a lawyer who has experience with this matter.

• In most cases, a person who’s suffered a dog bite may have the legal rights to recover damages from the responsible party. That’s why it’s a perfect idea if you disclose your situation to an attorney who has valuable experience in dog bite cases.
• Bear in mind that your attorney can determine whether you are entitled to the recovery of compensation for damages as a result of dog bite injuries.
• Once you’ve identified your cause of action to bring a legal claim in court, the next big thing to do is to choose a professional attorney who’ll represent you in all stages of the litigation.
• In getting the attorney of your choice, try to consider their areas of expertise and their knowledge and skills in handling several dog bite cases. Use this opportunity to know everything about the issue you’re tackling and be mindful of the policies in your state as some laws tend to vary depending on where you live.

Things To Consider In Filing A Dog Bite Case

Once you’ve already determined your legal claim and its possible monetary consequences, below are the things you should take note in filing a dog bite case:

1. Proving of Liability: When you’re the injured person in a dog bite lawsuit, the burden of proof to overcome the presumption of liability on the part of the dog owner is vested upon you.

• However, bear in mind that the extent of liability by the offending party will depend on the laws of your state. In situations like these, it’s beneficial if you get yourself updated on your state laws so that you’ll personally know the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
• In dog bite laws, take note of the following concepts you can consider in determining who’s at fault for your dog bite injury:
• Strict Liability Statutes: Some states apply the strict liability statutes in holding someone liable for a dog bite. The theory behind this statute is that the dog owner for the dog is automatically liable for your injuries and for that, you don’t have to prove their negligence.
• Negligence: In injury claims, establishing the presence of negligence is necessary to make the offending party responsible for the damages. The circumstances are the same for dog bite cases where you have to justify that the owner failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care when their dog has bitten you.

2. Documentation: In filing a lawsuit claim, documentation about the dog bite incident can be helpful.

• Don’t forget to provide detailed information about the dog bite circumstances. Make sure to record the names and contact numbers of the dog owner and the credible witnesses of the incident.

3. Types of Damages You Can Recover: The types of damages you can recover will depend on the severity of the injuries suffered from a dog bite. For instance, you can recover compensation for the following damages:

• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Lost Wages
• Medical Costs
• Pain and Suffering

It’s true that dog bite cases may involve a more complicated process. Determining your legal right for the same may also be difficult. However, we hope that the information stated above can help you in dealing properly with your situation. To ensure that you get what you rightfully deserve for the injuries resulting from a dog attack, you should think of contacting a professional attorney.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article should only be taken as a general guidance as to the legal nature of dog bite cases. It should not, however, be considered as a substitute for actual legal advice regarding the subject matter. If you want an appropriate legal counsel about your dog bite situation, do speak to a lawyer now.

Author Bio

Sabrina Wright is a vibrant young law writer currently writing her next big project. Her modern outlook on the law field is reflected on her informative pieces. Sabrina loves cooking and often invites her friends over for barbecue.