Rabies is caused by a virus in most animals saliva. Other bacterial or viral infections. In Utah, for example, the property owner does not hold any real responsibility for the trespasser. Home What Happens if a Dog Bites Someone on Your Property? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Animal control officers have standing orders to impound dogs that have a history of biting people, that lack up-to-date vaccinations, or whose owners do not have all the proper paperwork. They could be financially liable for damages based on their percentage of fault for the cause of the dog attack. If the case does not settle, you can explore other options before taking the case to a jury trial. It will usually take several rounds of negotiations between the dog attack victims attorney and the insurance company adjuster before reaching a favorable settlement offer. 2022 - The Dixon Injury Firm. WebA: Yes, dog bites must be reported in New Jersey. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth. The first thing you will need to do is request medical assistance and help the victim with their injuries. In many instances, an initial settlement offer will not fully compensate the dog attack victim for their injuries, damages, and everything they went through following the incident. Dog bites can cause minor-to-severe injuries and suffering. 4055 S 700 E Suite 205, Salt Lake City, UT 84107, United States. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. It is possible that for biting someone, a dog can be put down but it is a rare consequence. (805) 642-9627, Phone The Massachusetts Dog Bite Statute is a pretty good law for dog bite victims, because it imposes strict liability on the dogs owner Petrov Law Firm is a Vista personal injury law firm with over two decades of combined legal experience providing legal representation to injury victims across South California. In addition, the demand package will include documents such as an incident report or police report, witness statements, treating medical records, medical bills, any lost wage documentation, and a victim impact statement. Trespassing: Owners generally bear no liability to a trespasser, even without a Because of this, its indispensable to consult a medical professional to treat the dog bite wound. It also does not matter what you did to confine your dog or defend the public. Ask witnesses what they saw and write down what they tell you. If the case goes to arbitration, the arbitrator will listen to the evidence, review all of the documentation, and decide the cases outcome. People who are devoted to dogs will say that they do pets first bite, provided you did not know that your dog, 6 (Easy) Ways On How To Remove Stains From White Dog Fur, How Often Should You Trim Dogs Nails? On the other hand, in states implementing the one-bite rule for dog bites, the dog owner can only be held liable if they knew or should have known their canines dangerous or vicious behavior, which has been shown in the past. For the bite, you must properly rinse the wound with water and apply antibacterial medication. This is because dog bites are considered to be a public health hazard, and the information that is gathered from reports of dog bites can be used to help prevent future dog bites from occurring. If a dog bites someone on your property in California, you could face legal consequences. On the contrary, if you did everything in Simply put, a person is not lawfully in a private place if they are trespassing, attempting to commit a burglary, or other criminal offense. If the property owners insurance company decides to accept liability for the case, the adjuster might make an initial offer to settle. If a dog bites someone on your property, you may be liable for the dog bite injury as the owner of the dog or under a theory of premises liability. A dog attack can happen when you least expect it. The dog bite victim must then try to receive an anti-rabies vaccination after a specific time. After receiving medical treatment, the next step you must take is to report the attack to law enforcement. The person was not committing a trespass, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog when it caused the personal injury or property damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of every five injured victims needs medical attention. If a dog bit you on someone elses property, hire a lawyer to represent you and determine your rights. You filed a claim against the dog owners homeowner insurance policy, get experienced legal counsel on your side advocating for you at every stage of the case. Find out when you are and are not responsible for a dog bite injury on your property. Firms, How to Prove Fault in States Without Dog Bite Laws, Amended Complaint for Negligence and Wrongful Death, Complaint for Personal Injury - Slip and Fall, Negligence and Personal Injury Questionnaire, Emotional Distress, Privacy, and Dignitary Torts. Apply over-the counter antibiotic cream if you have it. If your dog does bite somebody, first time kind of an accident it will be a police report and you will get quarantine papers, said Mike Thune with the Bismarck Police Department. During this time, we are open for business and continue to be available to existing and new clients through virtual meetings and teleconferences. Im currently based in Northampton, Pennsylvania, where I live with my beautiful wife, two amazing kids, and four rowdy rescue dogs. The dog owner is liable for damages caused by their dog if the dog bites another person. While it is typically easy to prove that someone owns an animal, the term keeper is a bit looser. Contact a localpersonal injury attorneyto discuss your legal options. If your dog bites someone else on your property, you may be held strictly liable if you have not shown any warning sign or indication that there is a dangerous dog on your property. Californias strict liability dog bite law applies to the owner, possessor or harborer of any dog. This is because the wound can become infected over time. In many states such as New York and Georgia, you may not be held liable for the harm done by your pets first bite, provided you did not know that your dog will act aggressively. Most insurance policies have coverage for medical expenses for injuries that took place on your property. If you are facing a legal dispute over a dog bite injury that happened on your property, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is available to help you organize your defense. Can you be held accountable? However, there are exceptions here, which are as follows: Several states such as New Jersey and California follow this law when it is the matter of dog bites. In addition to rabies, various germs can live in a dogs teeth and tongue. But its best to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case as soon as possible. Most US states follow the strict liability statute, while some follow the one-bite rule. If youve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering what options you have for seeking out compensation. (818) 781-1420, Phone Provocation: If the victim provoked the dog, the owner probably bears no liability. Contact the authorities, even if the person says they are fine. If a dog bit someone on your property and the animal did not belong to you, you may be able to protect yourself against liability accusations. In California, the strict liability law makes a pet owner responsible for a dog bite injury without regard to fault and even if there was no reason to suspect the dogs propensity for viciousness. 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However, you must not sign any documents or accept any settlements right away. against the negligent pet owner. Even if a dog bite took place on your property, you may not have been at fault. Dog Bites. Even if the bite is minor, you may still be able to receive reimbursement. What Should Dog Bite Victims Do After an Attack? Dog bite victims do not have an unlimited time to file a claim or lawsuit for damages arising from the incident. In the absence of valid insurance coverage, you could pay the medical expenses of the injured person and even reimburse the other losses apart from paying your legal fees. There are other recoverable damages available for dog bite victims. In cases where a dog attack victim had to undergo medical treatment, they might recover medical expenses related to the incident. In dog bite cases the victim has the legal burden of proof. 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