If a dog bites you, then you will need the help of a personal injury lawyer because there a special rules that apply to dog bite cases.
Dogs are animals. Although they can be trained by a good trainer, most people are not good trainers. In fact, most of the time people allow they dogs to roam, and give them dogs too much leeway. Even when on a leash, a dog can easily break free. As a result, even well behaved dogs sometimes bite people causing harm.
Dog bites can be very serious. More serious that you might expect. They can cause emotional trauma. Especially, in a child. The attack can cause great fear to anyone, and the bite itself can cause scarring, and infection. It can also cause one to fear dogs for the rest of their life.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS IF A DOG BITES ME, OR A FAMILY MEMBER?
You have the right to sue for monetary compensation after a dog bites you, or a family member. In Connecticut the owner or keeper of the dog is strictly liable for dog bites. Strict liability means you do not need to prove that the owner or keeper of dog was negligent. You only need to prove that you were bitten by a dog.
WHAT DOES STRICT LIABILITY MEAN?
In most cases you need to prove that the defendant did something wrong or did something negligently, which essentially means they failed to follow reasonable safety measures under the circumstances. Dog bite cases are different. You don’t need to prove the dog owner or keeper acted negligently. Strict liability means that the dog owner or keeper is responsible for that whatever harms and losses caused by the dog. In this sense it is a very easy case to prove.
IS THERE A ONE BITE RULE?
No. The fact that the dog is a very well behaved dog, and has never bitten in the past is not a defense. The one bite rule has nothing to do with a personal injury case at all. It might pertain to whether the dog owner can expect to have the dog put down.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ISSUES IN DOG BITE CASES?
Damages is a key issue in a dog bite case. You need to prove your damages.
Ownership of the dog. The owner and keeper of the dog is the defendant. If it is unclear exactly who owns that dog, that can be an issue.
Teasing or tormenting of the dog before the bite. If the plaintiff was committing a trespass, or was teasing or tormenting the dog at the time of the bite then that is a defense.
Collectability might be an issue if the dog owner has no insurance coverage, and is a person with no assets.
WHAT CAN I SUE FOR AFTER A DOG BITE?
You can sue for compensation for all of your harms and losses. In most cases, you can sue for the following types of damages:
The physical injury from the bite;
Lost wages, if you cannot work;
Scarring to any part of the body;
Emotional distress;
Past and future medical bills including hospital bills, scar repair, counseling if necessary;
All past, and future harms and losses.
IS THERE A TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH I CAN SUE, OR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS?
There are definitely time limits within which you must file sue. For dog bits the general negligence statute of limitations applies. Thus, it is two years from the bite. Therefore, it is crucial for you to consult with a Connecticut lawyer after a dog bites you or a family member.
If you fail to file suit within the statute of limitations, you will completely lose your rights to sue.
Here are some of our case results for dog bite cases.
Dog attacks girl scout; facial injuries.
Dog attacks the mailman in Groton, Connecticut.
Dog attack leads to permanent damage to the hand, Groton Connecticut.
WHERE TO GET HELP?
For dog bite cases the consultation is free, and if we accept the case, we handle it on a contingency fee basis. Call The Bartinik Law Firm LLC at 860-445-8521 to schedule a consultation.