An Attorney’s Guide to Dog Bite Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

Dog bite lawsuits can be incredibly complex and a highly emotional experience. If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you probably have a ton of questions about how to start a legal claim. This guide will clarify the process and discuss what you need to know before filing a lawsuit with an attorney.

● How Often Do Dog Bites Occur?

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Millions of people in America are getting nipped by their furry friends – with a whopping 70% being kids below 11. But recent years have seen adult victims on the rise, doubling child numbers back in 2011, according to CDC stats. So it looks like our pup pals can be pretty unpredictable at times.

In some of the most devastating cases, dog attacks in Maryland can lead to horrific injuries that require anything from reconstructive surgery to spinal cord damage. In severe cases, victims suffer from eye trauma and bruising and puncture up to broken bones and severe head wounds – leaving them permanently disfigured or scarred forever.

● What To Do If You’ve Been Bitten Or Attacked

After sustaining a dog bite injury, it’s essential to take the proper steps to make a claim. First and foremost, seek medical attention immediately; untreated bites can lead to severe infections or even rabies. Then try your best to identify the animal and its owner – they may not always be known by people around town. Finally, to ensure successful litigation of any case, photos should also be taken at this time of either yourself (to document your injuries) or the canine itself.

Additionally, you’ll need contact information from any potential witnesses who saw what happened so their account can add further validity too. Finally, make sure that local law enforcement is notified about the incident to ensure official action is taken against whatever might have occurred here- protecting both parties involved going forward.

● Why You Should Retain A Lawyer After A Dog Bite

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If you or your loved one is the victim of a dog bite, it’s essential to act quickly and enlist an experienced legal professional. Compared to other cases, such as vehicle accidents, proving knowledge in a dog-bite case can be considerably more challenging – not least if the animal doesn’t fit into certain types like pit bulls.

A lawyer with successful experience in this area can help ensure that any related claim reaches its maximum potential; assurance adjusters tend to offer only around 20 percent of what could be recovered. In addition, engaging expert counsel ensures you have an advocate who knows how best to negotiate without resorting immediately to going through court proceedings.

● How Are Dog Bite Cases Proven?

Proving a dog bite lawsuit is complex and can vary greatly depending on the state in which the incident occurred. In some states like Maryland, a legal doctrine called “strict liability” applies; this means that the dog owner is liable even if they had no prior knowledge of their pet’s viciousness.

Additionally, there can be multiple defendants in many cases, particularly involving minors. Such lawsuits might include issues like improper supervision by someone who allegedly assumed responsibility for supervising the child during the bite. Ultimately, all relevant evidence must be presented to prove how each defendant’s action (or lack thereof) caused harm and resulted in damages such as medical bills.

● Leash Laws in Maryland

In recent years, Maryland has made sweeping changes to its dog bite laws, and the current legislation hinges on whether or not a pup was on a leash at the time of an incident.

If they were restrained in some fashion, it creates the presumption that their owner knew about any danger they posed – though this can be disputed in court. However, owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by running loose, regardless of breed type.

● Types of Dog Bite Lawsuits

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There are two main types of dog bite lawsuits that victims can pursue: negligence and strict liability. Negligence occurs when an owner breaches their duty of care to protect others from harm caused by their pet. This type of case requires the victim to prove that the dog owner acted negligently by failing to restrain or leash their animal in public spaces.

Strict liability is when an owner is held liable for any injury, regardless of whether they could have prevented it. It is important to note that most states have laws that limit how much money a victim can receive if they were trespassing at the time of the attack.

● What Amount Of Damages Can I Recover?

When victims successfully file a lawsuit with a reputable law firm like Pinder Plotkin, they may recover significant damages for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages due to missed work, property damage, mental anguish, and more.

Keeping track of all medical bills related to your injury and any other costs associated with it is vital to ensure you are filing for all possible damages. Additionally, some states allow punitive damages in extreme cases where the owner’s behavior was malicious or reckless.

● How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for dog bites varies by state; however, many states give victims up to two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury law against an animal’s owner or keeper. Therefore, it is essential to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident so you do not miss any deadlines and lose your right to seek justice against those responsible for your injuries.

Conclusion: Contact A Lawyer Immediately If You’ve Suffered An Attack

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Filing a dog bite lawsuit can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you know what information and documents you need ahead of time. If a dog has bitten you or someone close to you, consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney like those at Pinder Plotkin, who can help explain your rights and guide you through the process from start to finish. This way, you get just compensation for your suffering and losses from your injuries.

With assistance from an experienced lawyer on your side, victims have a better chance of recovering full compensation without having their rights trampled upon or taken advantage of by assurance companies or negligent owners. These attorneys understand what needs to be done for victims like yourself to achieve justice in court – don’t delay contacting them today.