| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Additionally, some states have enacted legislation that |
| While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can | | | | involves strict liability. The owner is liable for |
| become aggressive and bite someone. A dog bite | | | | their dog’s actions whether they knew the |
| falls under the law in the personal injury category. | | | | dog was dangerous or not. Anytime their dog bites |
| Each state has various laws regarding the liability of | | | | someone they are held liable no matter the situation |
| the dog’s owner. Following are things you | | | | or circumstances. |
| should do if you are bitten by a dog. | | | | On the flip side of the coin is to view this from the |
| Dogs that bite can do it for a number of reasons. | | | | dog owner’s perspective. Let’s say the |
| Perhaps the dog has always had an aggressive | | | | dog owner had prior knowledge that their dog may |
| nature and perceives you as an unwanted stranger. | | | | be dangerous or may bite someone. The owner then |
| Historically, there are certain breeds that have been | | | | took protective measures to keep his dog in a |
| known to harbor aggression. The Pit Bull breed is a | | | | secure area. He also had placed Beware of |
| common example. | | | | Dog signs on his property and has warned others |
| The dog’s breed is only one factor and | | | | not to approach his dog as the dog may attack. The |
| doesn’t always mean the dog will be | | | | owner had done all this, but someone didn’t |
| aggressive and prone to biting. You might encounter | | | | listen or even provoked the dog on purpose. |
| a dog that has been healthy in the past and free | | | | If the owner has provided these safety precautions |
| from offensive behavior. However, now the dog has | | | | they are sometimes not liable due to contributory |
| suffered from a health illness such as rabies. Rabies | | | | negligence. Contributory negligence means |
| can cause dogs to become disoriented and lash out | | | | that the person who was bitten understood the |
| by biting people. A classic sign of rabies is drooling | | | | dangerousness of the animal, but proceeded to place |
| and foaming of the mouth. | | | | themselves in the dog’s environment anyway. |
| If you are bitten it is imperative that you have your | | | | This type of dog bite lawsuit often ends in favor of |
| bite checked out at the hospital as soon as possible. | | | | the dog owner. |
| Dogs can be a host to several bacterial and viral | | | | If you do file a dog bite lawsuit you can sue for |
| infections that you can contract such as ring worm. | | | | compensation regarding medical costs you will incur |
| Make sure however, that you remember the type of | | | | due to the dog bite, pain and suffering, property |
| breed to help a doctor assess the extent of the | | | | damage, and affected wages. A vicious dog bite can |
| wound. Write down the contact information of the | | | | leave you unable to work for some time and you |
| dog’s owner should you need to file a lawsuit. | | | | need a way to recoup your losses. |
| Dog bite lawsuits arise when the dog bite is serious | | | | You can also be awarded punitive damages in some |
| enough to cause injury, mental aggravation, and | | | | cases. Whether or not you are awarded punitive |
| hospital bills. It was beneficial that you wrote down | | | | damages depends on the behavior of the |
| the dog breed and the dog owner’s contact | | | | dog’s owner. Did the owner intentionally |
| information because you will need it when filing a dog | | | | provoke their dog and put you in the line of fire? If |
| bite lawsuit. Should you choose to file a dog bite | | | | so, the dog owner’s behavior will be punished |
| lawsuit, you will need to contact an attorney to | | | | by granting you an additional punitive damages |
| understand your rights and requirements for filing. | | | | settlement. |
| An attorney will explain the specific dog bite lawsuit | | | | If you suffer from a dog bite you can rest a little |
| laws in your state. It is good to know that the | | | | easier knowing that many health insurance plans |
| majority of states hold the dog’s owner liable | | | | cover costs associated with dog bites. Hopefully, you |
| for any dog bites. It will also need to be determined | | | | won’t ever have to deal with a dog bite and |
| if the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s | | | | dog bite lawsuit. Understand though that if you are |
| aggression. This is termed dangerous | | | | bitten by a dog you do have legal claims. The extent |
| propensities. Did the owner know in advance that | | | | and nature of the legal claims vary from state to |
| their dog was of a certain breed that is prone to | | | | state, but the basic guidelines have been discussed in |
| biting? Did they provide the required safeguards to | | | | this article. |
| control this unwanted behavior in their dog? | | | | |