Dog Bite Personal Injury Lawyer
At Haymond Law, we are skilled in handling dog bite cases.
Being attacked by a dog can be terrifying, leading to both physical and psychological injuries. While those most often attacked by dogs are children under 10, anyone at any age can be bitten. At Haymond Law, we represent dog bite victims throughout Florida and the New England area, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. If you or a loved one has been bitten, we urge you to contact us immediately to learn more about your rights and the potential for a case.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
The period right after a dog bite attack can be chaotic and confusing, which is why it can be helpful to have instructions on what to do after you have been bitten.
Get medical care right away. A dog bite is a serious injury and warrants appropriate medical care. Depending on the severity of the bite, there could be risk of blood loss and other damage. You should seek medical care immediately.
Take note of what dog bit you. Report the bite to law enforcement & pursue legal action. Try to get all relevant info about the dog, including where the dog lives, who the owner is, etc. If possible, take a picture of the dog for reference.
Record your injuries with photos. Once you have gotten medical care you will want to take pictures of your injuries. You can do it yourself if possible, or have someone else help you. Document the nature and extent of your injuries.
Contact an attorney with experience in dog bite cases. Get in touch with a lawyer. Dog bite victims who hire a skilled attorney have a better chance of pursuing a successful case—and tend to be better compensated for their injuries.
Avoid giving info to an insurance company before speaking to your attorney. The dog owner’s insurance company may contact try to settle & pay very little. Usually, a strong case by a lawyer is needed for a fair settlement.
Dog Bite Injuries
Some of the most common dog bite injuries that result in lawsuits include:
Rabies
Dog’s can carry the rabies virus, which is transferable to humans. Rabies can be vaccinated against, but if someone is not vaccinated and contracts the virus it can be deadly. See a medical professional.
Infections
A dog may have any number of bacteria in its mouth, bacteria that can be transferred to bite victims through their wounds. Infection is a major concern for dog bite victims, especially if they do not seek medical care.
Disfigurement
The teeth of a dog tend to cause rough, jagged tissue damage to the victim. This tissue damage can heal into scars. If the tissue damage occurs on the face, it can cause disfigurement that may be unrepairable.
Psychological Trauma
Many dog bite victims, develop a fear of dogs that makes their day to day lives much more difficult. The mental and emotional trauma is every bit as real and damaging as the physical damage.
Damage to ligaments
A strong dog bite can tear and even sever connective tissue and muscles. This damage can make it difficult to move in the same way you once did, and may not be completely repairable.
Right to Compensation
As your personal injury team, we will seek fair compensation for the injuries you sustained in the dog attack. The types of compensation you have a right to may include the cost of your medical care, the wages you lost while recovering from your injuries, the loss of income in the future related to your injuries and more. It may also be possible to get compensation for the medical care you will need in the future related to your injuries. Punitive damages—damages designed to reprimand the responsible party—may also be possible depending on the circumstances of the attack.
Contact us to discuss the possibilities for getting compensation for your dog bite injuries.
Who Pays for the Damages
In most cases, the home insurance company of the dog owner will be paying for the damages won in your case. The insurance company will most likely try to reach a settlement with you—offering you money for your injuries in exchange for signing a document saying you will not take legal action—but we encourage you to avoid taking such a settlement.
If we take your case, we will build a strong argument demonstrating your right to compensation. We will attempt to reach a settlement with the insurance company on your behalf, a settlement that is fair before we go to court. Hopefully, the insurer will accept. If not, we will pursue your case to our full ability and do everything we can to win.
Read more about our two real-life dog bite case results.
Contact Haymond Law
The best time to speak with an attorney about your dog bite injuries is now. You can contact us and talk to a lawyer without paying anything out of pocket. You only pay for our services if we win your case. Take the opportunity to get informed feedback about your potential for a case. Please contact us now, either by filling out our contact form or by calling us. Our team is standing by to go to work on your behalf!