| While dogs may be our best friends, some dogs can | | | | involves "strict liability". The owner is liable for their |
| become aggressive and bite someone. A dog bite | | | | dog's actions whether they knew the dog was |
| falls under the law in the personal injury category. | | | | dangerous or not. Anytime their dog bites someone |
| Each state has various laws regarding the liability of | | | | they are held liable no matter the situation or |
| the dog's owner. Following are things you should do if | | | | circumstances. |
| you are bitten by a dog. | | | | On the flip side of the coin is to view this from the |
| Dogs that bite can do it for a number of reasons. | | | | dog owner's perspective. Let's say the dog owner |
| Perhaps the dog has always had an aggressive | | | | had prior knowledge that their dog may be |
| nature and perceives you as an unwanted stranger. | | | | dangerous or may bite someone. The owner then |
| Historically, there are certain breeds that have been | | | | took protective measures to keep his dog in a |
| known to harbor aggression. The Pit Bull breed is a | | | | secure area. He also had placed "Beware of Dog" |
| common example. | | | | signs on his property and has warned others not to |
| The dog's breed is only one factor and doesn't | | | | approach his dog as the dog may attack. The owner |
| always mean the dog will be aggressive and prone to | | | | had done all this, but someone didn't listen or even |
| biting. You might encounter a dog that has been | | | | provoked the dog on purpose. |
| healthy in the past and free from offensive behavior. | | | | If the owner has provided these safety precautions |
| However, now the dog has suffered from a health | | | | they are sometimes not liable due to "contributory |
| illness such as rabies. Rabies can cause dogs to | | | | negligence". "Contributory negligence" means that the |
| become disoriented and lash out by biting people. A | | | | person who was bitten understood the |
| classic sign of rabies is drooling and foaming of the | | | | dangerousness of the animal, but proceeded to place |
| mouth. | | | | themselves in the dog's environment anyway. This |
| If you are bitten it is imperative that you have your | | | | type of dog bite lawsuit often ends in favor of the |
| bite checked out at the hospital as soon as possible. | | | | dog owner. |
| Dogs can be a host to several bacterial and viral | | | | If you do file a dog bite lawsuit you can sue for |
| infections that you can contract such as ring worm. | | | | compensation regarding medical costs you will incur |
| Make sure however, that you remember the type of | | | | due to the dog bite, pain and suffering, property |
| breed to help a doctor assess the extent of the | | | | damage, and affected wages. A vicious dog bite can |
| wound. Write down the contact information of the | | | | leave you unable to work for some time and you |
| dog's owner should you need to file a lawsuit. | | | | need a way to recoup your losses. |
| Dog bite lawsuits arise when the dog bite is serious | | | | You can also be awarded punitive damages in some |
| enough to cause injury, mental aggravation, and | | | | cases. Whether or not you are awarded punitive |
| hospital bills. It was beneficial that you wrote down | | | | damages depends on the behavior of the dog's |
| the dog breed and the dog owner's contact | | | | owner. Did the owner intentionally provoke their dog |
| information because you will need it when filing a dog | | | | and put you in the line of fire? If so, the dog owner's |
| bite lawsuit. Should you choose to file a dog bite | | | | behavior will be punished by granting you an additional |
| lawsuit, you will need to contact an attorney to | | | | punitive damages settlement. |
| understand your rights and requirements for filing. | | | | If you suffer from a dog bite you can rest a little |
| An attorney will explain the specific dog bite lawsuit | | | | easier knowing that many health insurance plans |
| laws in your state. It is good to know that the | | | | cover costs associated with dog bites. Hopefully, you |
| majority of states hold the dog's owner liable for any | | | | won't ever have to deal with a dog bite and dog bite |
| dog bites. It will also need to be determined if the | | | | lawsuit. Understand though that if you are bitten by a |
| owner had prior knowledge of the dog's aggression. | | | | dog you do have legal claims. The extent and nature |
| This is termed "dangerous propensities". Did the | | | | of the legal claims vary from state to state, but the |
| owner know in advance that their dog was of a | | | | basic guidelines have been discussed in this article. |
| certain breed that is prone to biting? Did they provide | | | | Consult an attorney that has worked on dog bite |
| the required safeguards to control this unwanted | | | | lawsuits in the past to figure out the best course of |
| behavior in their dog? | | | | action. |
| Additionally, some states have enacted legislation that | | | | |