Hausmann-McNally S.C.

Dog Bite Injuries

Although we Americans love our pets, there are many unsafe animals out there. And, there are too many irresponsible dog owners who do not adequately control their dog’s behavior. The term “dog bite” does not go far enough to describe the seriousness of an injury that can tear flesh, break bones, mutilate an individual and cause long-lasting fear and emotional scarring. A dog bite can affect the victim psychologically as well as physically.

If the person responsible for the dog did not take reasonable precautions and, especially if it is known that this was a dangerous dog, a court could decide to award damages to compensate you for your economic losses from lost work time, medical expenses, physical therapy, counseling and other injury-related expenses. There are also provisions to compensate victims for pain and suffering, the non-economic damages resulting from the injury.

After a serious dog bite injury, you need to seek high-quality medical attention. Immediately report the incident to the police. The offending dog will have to be dealt with and quarantined. Your medical care provider will check if the dog’s rabies vaccinations are up to date or test the animal for rabies. You should be asked about your own tetanus vaccination record. You may need a booster.

After a dog-bite incident, you should seek legal assistance as quickly as possible. For one thing, our law firm’s investigators will immediately photograph and document your injuries. For another, our experienced lawyers can help you deal with issues relating to insurance claims. We will caution you to seek legal assistance if an insurance adjustor asks you to settle quickly, before the extent of your injuries are known. We will assist you in every step along the way, including preparing settlement documents and settlement brochures which may serve to resolve the case before trial.

If you or a loved one was injured by a dog bite, you need a law firm with attorneys familiar with your state’s dog bite injury laws as these differ from state to state. In some states, a victim is entitled to multiple damages if the dog is known to have bitten before.

Our law firm’s attorneys have experience in filing dog bite lawsuits and have recovered damages for many clients injured by dangerous animals that were not properly controlled. If you have been seriously injured or mauled by a dog, do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation to see if you have grounds to present a civil dog-bite claim. We urge you to do it sooner rather than later, when evidence may be difficult to obtain.

Many states recognize that the person who is bitten is not the only victim. A member of the immediate family might be suffering from emotional distress as a result of witnessing the victim getting mauled. This could be the basis of what is called a "bystander claim." Also, a spouse might suffer because their husband or wife has been incapacitated in some way, which can lead to a "loss of consortium" claim. If the victim dies from his or her dog bite injuries, family members may have a claim for wrongful death. You should retain a trusted attorney to give you advice about the law in your particular state in order to determine the best course of action.

We Take Care of the Details
When it comes to dog bite cases, we will conscientiously prepare your case so that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. One phone call can help you put the incident in proper perspective so you can move on to the healing you seek.

Call us at 866·889·2177 and we will schedule a representative to visit you at a location of your convenience, or you can plan to visit one of our Wisconsin law offices or Illinois law offices.