The Legal Process for Claiming an Animal Bite Injury
No one wants to experience an animal bite injury. But if it should happen to you, there are at least legal avenues available for claiming compensation.
Claiming for Dog and Domestic Animal Bite Injuries
In the United States, most jurisdictions have statutes pertaining to animal bites.
The most common animal bites come from dogs, so the majority of states have statutes specifically for dog bites. In those states, the dog owner is typically liable for an injury caused by his or her dog, although there are a few exceptions to that general rule, such as when a trespasser is bitten by a dog.
When people are injured by dog bites in states without specific statutes, the injured party may need to prove the owner had knowledge of the potential dangers his or her dog posed in order to claim compensation, whereas, in other states, it is much easier to claim personal injury damages.
In case you are sure that you haven’t provoked the dog by teasing or abusing it, then a dog bite attorney will undoubtedly pursue the owner to be liable for damages. Since dog bite cases are a bit complicated and the details of each differ from another, you need an aggressive and well-informed dog bite lawyer who has long years of such experience. He or she should have in-depth knowledge of dog-bite laws in order to know what strategies to use, how to manage the case thoroughly, and how to get the maximum compensation you need.
Things can also become more complex when a pet other than a dog causes a bite injury. Most jurisdictions do not have statutes that are specific to other types of pets or domestic animals.
However, people who are injured by bites from other owned animals can proceed with a negligence action. A negligence claim involves showing the owner of the animal was aware of the animal’s potentially dangerous behavior and did not take action to prevent the risk of harm.
People who are bitten by dogs or other pets can gain financial compensation to cover medical bills and loss of earnings. If you should experience a domestic animal or dog bite injury, get a free case evaluation from an experienced lawyer to discover what your lawsuit options are.
Claiming for Wild Animal Bite Injuries
Wild animal bites happen a lot less than dog bites and other domestic animal bites, but they do occur.
In order to claim compensation for a wild animal bite injury, an individual or organization must be proven to be liable.
If the wild animal that causes a bite injury is owned by an individual, the owner can be held responsible for the harm; sometimes even if they have safety measures in place. If the wild animal is owned by an organization, company, or government entity – for instance, the wild animal could be in a zoo – absolute liability does not apply.
That means, typically, negligence must be proven in court in order to gain financial compensation.
How to Get Started with the Legal Process
In general, the legal process itself is straightforward. If you are bitten by an owned animal that causes an injury, contact an experienced attorney to seek free advice on what your options are. The legal process will depend on the rules for the state you are in and the precise details of your case.
Your lawyer can help you to file a lawsuit against the liable party. He or she will take care of things like obtaining medical records and photographs of your injuries, contacting witnesses, and handling all other aspects of your case.
As long as your attorney proves an individual or organization is liable for the animal bite injury, you can claim financial compensation.
Types of Damages
In addition to compensation for the loss of current and future earnings and medical expenses, such as treatments and future treatments for injuries, people with animal bite injuries can claim compensation for pain and suffering and property damage.
The precise amount a person can receive in damages depends on the extent of his or her injuries and the specific facts of the person’s case.
