Hiring a dog bite attorney may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if you’re bitten by a dog, you should consider the potential financial burden of the damages you’ve suffered. A catastrophic injury can leave you with a substantial medical bill, lost wages and time off work for recuperation. Other losses may include loss of companionship and consortium, mental anguish, and more. A dog bite attorney can help you make sense of these expenses and maximize your recovery.
Point of liability in a dog bite case
Whether a business is liable for a dog bite attack depends on whether the law in question applies to the situation. The law may say that employers are responsible for the acts of their employees when the employees are acting within the scope of their employment. This theory of liability has been argued by lawyers in the past. The Court of Appeals in a recent case found that an employer was not strictly liable for a dog bite case even though the employee had been on the premises for several days before the attack. In this case, the customer did not present any evidence that the employer knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous, and therefore the court dismissed the lawsuit against the employer.
Collecting evidence after a dog bite
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, the first thing you should do is collect evidence. Take pictures of the dog’s bite and injuries, and get contact information for any witnesses. Also, save torn or bloody clothing. These pieces of evidence can help you prove liability or refute the defendant’s defenses. Also, try to collect as much medical evidence as possible. If the dog was bitten by another person, you should save their names and phone numbers.
Cost of hiring a dog bite lawyer
A dog bite attorney can help you pursue your claim, but you may be wondering about the costs involved. A lawyer’s fee is typically about one-third of the total settlement. That leaves you with about $60,000 after paying the attorney. But the fee is well worth it. In many cases, you can expect to receive a settlement in excess of $1 million. In addition, you may also be entitled to receive medical bills or lost wages.
Legal defenses available in dog bite cases
Depending on the state you live in, there may be a variety of legal defenses to a dog bite case. Depending on the circumstances, a dog owner may be exempt from liability if they did not intentionally provoke the attack. In Utah, for example, premises liability is limited to cases in which the owner intentionally ordered the dog to bite a trespasser. Nonetheless, in some situations, it may still be advantageous to consult an attorney about your case.
Getting compensation after a dog bite
There are different ways to get compensation for a dog bite, but you may have to take some legal action to get the money you deserve. If the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renters insurance doesn’t cover the incident, you may be able to claim restitution for your injuries through your own policy. However, if the owner of the pet is not insured, you might have to file a lawsuit against the owner. If your injuries are more severe, you may need to take legal action against the owner of the dog. You can also ask a lawyer about a dog bite lawsuit.
