What Legal Options Are There for Dog Bite Victims

According to research, there are around 89 million domestic dogs in the U.S. Although these animals are usually assets to their owners, they can pose risks sometimes. For instance, they can end up biting people. According to statistics, dogs bite around 4.5 million Americans every year. If you happen to be one of these victims, you should seek medical attention. You should also take legal action against the dog owner. Several legal options are available for dog bite victims.

The Right to Demand for Compensation for Any Damages Caused

Dog owners are usually liable in case their dogs hurt someone. Therefore, as a dog bite victim, you have the right to demand compensation for any damages caused by the dog that bit you. For instance, you have the right to tell the dog owner or the dog’s insurance company to pay for all your medical bills. In case you had a pre-existing condition, and the dog bite injury accelerated it, the dog owner should pay all the actual medical bills. The dog owner would pay more than if the person would not have a pre-existing condition.

As a dog bite victim, you also have the right to demand compensation for lost income. In such a case, the dog owner will be responsible for the reimbursement for the lost income as well as the loss in earning capacity. Other things that you can demand compensation for include loss of consortium, punitive damages, and the pain caused by the dog bite.

The Right to Consult a Dog Bite Attorney

As a dog bite victim, you have the right to hire a dog bite attorney. However, you should ensure that you hire a knowledgeable and experienced dog bite lawyer. The professional will help you win a dog bite case. The lawyer will help you understand the laws and regulations surrounding dog bite cases and your rights as a dog bite victim. All this will help you build a strong case.

When you work with a qualified attorney, they will help you file a dog bite lawsuit. That will be important to you, especially if you live in a state that recognizes the one-bite rule. According to this rule, a dog owner can only be held liable if their dog has bitten at least one person in the past. In such a case, the attorney will find out more about the dog in question and then file a lawsuit based on the local laws. For instance, if you live in Kansas and you get bitten by a dog with no prior history of biting people, your attorney will find out whether the dog is vicious or dangerous. If it is dangerous, the attorney will file a lawsuit against the dog owner since it is illegal to own such a dog.

The Right to File a Lawsuit if a Dog Owner’s Offer or Insurance Company’s Offer Is Not Just

As a dog bite victim, the law is usually on your side. However, this does not mean that the owner of the dog at fault or the insurance company in question will act in your favor. The insurance company in question may decide to offer you an unfair settlement. It may also use stall tactics such as delaying to make an agreement in an attempt to make you accept their lowball offer. In such a case, you should file a lawsuit against the insurance company or the dog owner since you have the right to do so. A dog bite attorney can help you when it comes to this. The attorney will help you write a demand letter to the dog owner’s insurance company.

Dog owners are usually responsible for ensuring that their dogs do not harm others. Therefore, if you get bitten by a dog, you have the right to file a lawsuit against a dog owner. When filing this lawsuit, you should demand compensation for any damages caused by the dog. A dog bite attorney can help you build your case and write a demand letter to the insurance company in question. The attorney can also help you get satisfactory compensation for the damages caused by the dog.

Leave a Comment