You should hire a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. At the outset, we can speak to insurance adjusters, make sure you are getting the right medical treatment, and handle medical bills.

Hiring a dog bite attorney does not cost you anything upfront. Instead, dog bite attorneys are paid a percentage of your settlement funds when the claim is paid. This type of fee arrangement is called a contingency fee - the attorney fee is contingent on your attorney obtaining a recovery for you. You owe your attorney nothing if your attorney cannot obtain a settlement for you.

A person bitten by a dog is entitled to recover economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are damages that you can calculate by adding them up, including property damage, lost wages, and medical bills. Non-economic damages include intangible damages commonly referred to as pain and suffering. Non-economic damages can be significant and include compensation for scarring, disfigurement, permanent injury, emotional stress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The foregoing is a brief description of a few factors that are important in evaluating a dog bite case but are not intended to substitute for individual legal advice. If you want to learn more about evaluating your dog bite claim, please call us, and we’d be happy to discuss your claim with you.

The laws governing dog bites vary and include municipal and county codes, state statutes, and common law negligence. Some jurisdictions have enacted strict liability laws for dog bites, some have enacted strict liability laws for dog bites by certain breeds of dogs, and in other jurisdictions, you may have to prove that the dog owner knew that their dog had the propensity to bite someone and failed to take precautions to avoid dog bites before you can obtain a recovery. Call us and we can determine what the law is in your jurisdiction.

Yes, if the person who owns the dog that attacked you owns a home and has purchased homeowner’s insurance, then most homeowner’s insurance policies will provide liability coverage. Sometimes, a person who rents a home or apartment will purchase renter’s insurance, and the renter’s insurance policy will provide liability coverage for dog bites. Unfortunately, there are circumstances when the person who owns the dog that attacked you is not covered by any liability insurance policy.