If you or someone you love, has been bitten by a dog, it is important to know your rights. If your case falls under the jurisdiction of the civil court, then you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help provide legal representation and advise on whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit. This article will go over three ways that a lawyer can help with this type of injury.
Dog Bite Victims In The USA
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year. The professionals at https://bdlawteam.com/ say that around 800,000 of those bites are serious enough that they require medical attention. Of these victims, about one-third need reconstructive surgery to repair or replace damaged bones and tissues. The dog breeds responsible for bites vary from state to state.
Following an injury from a dog, it is important to take several steps to ensure proper recovery. These steps include but are not limited to:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they seem minor at first.
- If you have been bitten on your face or neck, keep them immobilized to limit swelling from making breathing difficult.
- Take photos of the wounds if possible, and/or seek out a doctor who can document your injuries from a safe distance away.
- Seek psychological help if needed, as some victims may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, it is important to know your rights. If your case falls under the jurisdiction of the civil court, then you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help provide legal representation and advise on whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit.
So, How Can A Lawyer Help You?
1) Help You Understand What Your Rights Are
The first way lawyers are helpful in these types of cases is by helping clients understand what their legal options are following an attack from one’s own pet or other animals that causes serious harm or death. They can also tell you whether or not filing a lawsuit is right for you. In many cases, the dog’s owner may be liable for any injuries sustained from a dog attack. In some states, victims can sue the animal’s owner as well as the landlord, property owner, or another party associated with the dog.
For many victims, facing the financial difficulties associated with medical bills and lost income from time off of work makes them more willing to settle quickly for less than what they actually deserve. A lawyer can help you waive the small claims court limitations and file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
2) Help You Evaluate Liability
The second way a lawyer can help you is by helping you evaluate liability. In all legal cases of this type, the Defendant will have an attorney who will take steps to prove that the victim and/or their family is responsible in some aspect for the dog attack. The owner’s attorney will scrutinize your actions and state of mind when you approached, interacted with, or provoked the dog.
For example, if you got close enough to take a photo of the dog who bit you but didn’t bother to let the owner know that you were coming, then it is very possible that the dog’s owner will use this against you in court. This does not mean that your case should be dismissed or ignored by your lawyer, but rather they will advise on how to proceed and what steps need to be taken for a strong defense.
3) Help You File a Lawsuit
The third way a lawyer can help is with the proper documentation and filing of a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, there are time limits for filing a case against one’s own pet owner, so it’s important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. After you have chosen a lawyer they will file a formal complaint on your behalf with the court. The other attorney will then respond, either by filing an answer or motion to dismiss your case.
If this is not successful in ending your case, then both sides will submit motions and other documents to the court for pre-trial hearings. After these are completed, a trial date may be set where you will have to testify about the incident as well as provide other evidence to support your case.
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, it is important to know your rights. If your case falls under the jurisdiction of the civil court, then you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help provide legal representation and advise on whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit.
