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A dog bite is according to the World Health Organization a common injury in the United States; 1 in 50 people in the United States is likely to be bitten by a dog, so it is necessary to know the laws that apply to each state in the country and the responsibility that these laws assign to dog owners in the event that they cause an injury.
To begin, in some places an old rule called "One Bite Free" or the one bite rule applies, which states that the owner of a domestic animal that causes an injury, will be responsible for material and physical damages caused only in the event that it is proven that the pet that caused the damage is dangerous and its owner knows this.
Other states hold pet owners responsible regardless of the animal's temperament and the knowledge or lack of knowledge about it; in these cases the victim of a dog bite attack (or other domestic animal), receives compensation that includes payment of a monetary sum, medical care, medication, treatments, surgeries and payment for pain and suffering among other benefits.
At Conexión Legal we have lawyers experienced in injuries caused by dog bites who will answer some of the questions you may have.
Frequently asked questions in case of dog bite
What to do if I suffer a dog bite?
- Identify the severity of the injury and whether it allows you to continue with a process or if you need to seek emergency medical attention.
- In the first case, take the pet owner's information which should include the name, address, phone number and liability insurance information.
- If there are witnesses, collect the same information except for the insurance.
- Collect evidence of what happened.
Do I need a lawyer to file a dog bite claim?
Claim cases are filed in civil courts and in most cases can be presented independently, however it is not recommended since the accompaniment of a lawyer during the process guarantees that you will obtain the best possible result for each case.At Conexión Legal we offer free legal advice for dog bite cases with lawyers who speak Spanish; contact us through this channel via the WhatsApp icon or Schedule your Consultation and explore solution alternatives for your case.
What to do in case the owner does not have liability insurance?
In these cases there is a specific protocol that must be followed with the pet owner who caused the damage, to identify a way to compensate for the damages, so it is essential to have a lawyer since the protocol includes the analysis of other existing insurance policies that may provide coverage for the damages.
Are dogs that cause injuries euthanized?
No, a dog that causes an injury is generally placed in quarantine at its owner's home to carefully observe the change in the pet's behavior; in the event that the animal is classified as a potentially dangerous dog (usually after several attacks), the animal will be placed in the hands of the local animal control authority.
You or someone in your family may be a victim of an attack or bite, contact us to explore your options. We have personal injury specialist lawyers, who will be responsible for achieving the best possible settlement for each case and best of all, in Spanish.
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