A personal injury attorney can make sure that your rights are being protected in the case of a dog attack. Not only are these emotionally and mentally traumatizing experiences, but they can also lead to many kinds of injuries, infections, or in the worst possible cases, permanent disability. You will want an attorney on your side to do the research needed to help you receive the compensation you need in order to recover from an animal attack.
A personal injury lawyer will be the best person for the job, as they will be well versed in laws relating to this type of incident. They understand where the liability stands in terms of the dogs’ owner and how that plays out throughout a case.
Finding the Liable Party.
When it comes to animals, it is their owner who is primarily responsible for the actions of said animal. There are other cases in which it can become much more complicated, as there could be other parties that may be responsible for the animals’ behavior. This could be someone who is caring for or has custody of the animal, such as a kennel, an animal shelter, or a pet sitter. If there is someone else besides the owner who is to be caring for the animal, they could be the liable party for your attack or injury.
Other possible responsible parties could be the parents of a minor. If a person is under 18 years old and owns an animal, many states say that you can hold their parents legally responsible, even if the parents have no direct involvement with the care of the animal. Also, landlords or property owners can also find themselves liable if a tenant has a dangerous animal. As each case is different, you will want to seek a lawyer to help sort out the situation.
Damage Recovery.
If you are attacked or injured by a dog, depending on the seriousness of the injury you may be entitled to recover damages in relation to medical expenses, “pain and suffering”, property damage, and lost wages. There are also instances in which you may be justified in getting punitive damages. These are damages that are used in order to punish someone for wrongdoing, recklessness, or intentional harm.
Seeking Assistance.
If you or a close family member has been attacked or injured by a dog, you may be able to recover some damages from the incident. You may be unclear about your legal rights or which laws have been breached. By seeking a dog bite lawyer they will be able to clear up the confusion and bring your claim forward professionally, so that you can get the compensation that you need to recover.