Dog Bite Compensation and Lawsuit – A Complete Guide

We immediately picture horrific injuries and strikes whenever we think of canine attacks.

However, dogs can harm humans in other ways besides biting. When a dog leaps up and pushes a human over, it can result in critical or fatal injuries.

You have the right to take civil action against the dog’s proprietor if you are hurt because the canine knocked you down.

Here’s a guide for you to deal with dog injury legally and claim compensation.

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What to Do if a Dog Bites You?

  • There’s no time to waste after getting attacked by an animal; get yourself out of harm quickly, particularly if the canine seems hostile. Once you’ve located the property’s proprietor and ensured your safety, you should only ask about insurance coverage.
  • You should check to see if there are any eyewitnesses. Gather the names and numbers of potential witnesses who can vouch for your case. Notifying the authorities and documenting the event on paper is also crucial. This data and previously gathered can be used to support the victim’s claim for financial compensation following a canine attack.
  • Obtain necessary medical care. Take pictures of the wounds as well, just in case. You can strengthen your case with pictures and medical documents.
  • Then, once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, feel free to contact the dog bite injury lawyers so they can begin filing your claim. According to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, a leading group of experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers, “If the dog’s owner didn’t have insurance or you couldn’t find them, we can help you file a claim with the Criminal Injuries Indemnity Authority.”

What Damage Can You Expect if a Dog Attacks You?

Whatever the severity of your dog attack injury, we can help you submit a no-win, no-fee lawsuit at no risk to you. Injuries caused by dogs are most commonly seen in:

  • Damaged skin.
  • Bones fractured.
  • A head, neck, or ocular injury.
  • Injuries to the face.
  • Symptoms of nerve injury.
  • Emotional traumas.

The amount you receive as compensation will depend on how seriously you were hurt.

There is a remote but real chance that the canine your pet has rabies, which poses a significant health risk.

You can file a workers’ comp claim if a dog hurts you at the office.

It is your boss’s responsibility to guarantee your protection, including the safety of any canines on the premises, such as security dogs.

Your employer’s risk insurance would pay for your medical bills and lost wages if you were bitten by one of the company’s dogs.

Dog Attack Rebuttals

Sometimes, a dog’s owner may attempt to shift blame by saying you were to blame for the event.

The dog’s owner could claim that you trespassed on their land or provoked the dog into biting you.

If the property owner establishes that you were partially responsible for the incident, your right to compensation may be impaired.

You couldn’t sue the dog’s owner if the incident occurred in a state that recognizes the doctrine of culpable responsibility.

If you live in a state that follows the comparative negligence rule, you can file a lawsuit and receive compensation as long as your level of culpability is below 50%.

Damages will be reduced, however.

Assuming your losses from the dog attack total $100,000, you would be entitled to $60,000 in compensation if the canine’s owner was found to be at least 60% at fault.

Dangerous Dog Bites Carry Serious Penalties

In the event of a canine attack injury, the appropriate legal action is a civil claim. If you prevail in court, the complainant will be awarded damages. On the other hand, the accused will not receive a criminal record or be sentenced to prison time.

If a dog assaults someone and the owner knows the creature is harmful, the owner may face criminal charges. The state brought this case to hold the canine’s owner legally liable, and it is completely distinct from any potential civil dog attack case.

Who Owes What When a Canine Attacks?

In actuality, if a dog’s master doesn’t properly teach it, any canine could potentially become involved in an assault. When interacting with dogs of any size, but especially with pups, particularly active dogs, or dogs that are used to having plenty of room to run around, the owner should exercise caution.

With all its people, traffic, and noise, dogs have a lot of reasons to be anxious. A canine that is afraid or disobedient or has the propensity to run away threatens the safety of its neighbors and passersby.

If a canine attacks someone without provocation, the proprietor is “strictly responsible” for all of the victim’s medical expenses. If the court rules the dog to be dangerous, its owner may be liable for the victim’s medical bills, missed wages, and emotional distress. (For a dog to be classified as hazardous, it must show repeated aggressive behavior, such as attacking people.)

Can I Claim My Insurance When My Kids Get Attacked by a Dog?

You may want to submit an insurance claim for a canine attack to safeguard your child from financial ruin. A “litigation buddy” status lasts only until the child turns 18. After the canine attacks you, please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. By doing so, we can amass the most definitive proof possible supporting your assertion.

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