When someone gets bitten by a dog or any other animal, it could be a terrible and sometimes long-life scary experience. It is a painful and confusing situation as all of a sudden you have to face discomfort, medical bills, and loss of income due to missed work.
Getting acquainted with the law on dog bites
Certain laws make the liability of dog owners explicit in dog bite cases. Dog owners can be held liable depending on the circumstances of the injury. In some states, if the plaintiff was trespassing when the dog bit him or her, the dog owner is not liable. Let’s have a look at other laws:
- Dog bite statue
The law states that the dog owner is liable regardless of whether the injured person was trespassing on the owner’s property or whether the owner was aware that the dog was vicious.
- One bite rule
As per this rule that is applicable only in some states of the U.S., the owner is not liable for the first bite the dog inflicts. However, once the pet has demonstrated vicious behavior, the owner is held liable.
- Dog owner negligence
The law can hold the dog owner liable if the person failed to control the dog and it resulted in injury to the plaintiff.
Most dog owners cover dog bite liability via insurance policies. Hence, the dog owners or their insurance companies might have to pay for the damages that the plaintiff has suffered.
Bring a claim for a dog bite on time
To bring a claim for a dog bite, it is imperative that you suffered an injury, it was a result of someone else’s fault, and it happened within the last three years. You need to take guidance from an Animal and Dog Bites Lawyer.
A specialized attorney will evaluate your case and if found legit will help you recover the money you deserve. The advocate will be aware of the statute of limitations in your state and how they apply in your particular case.
The judge will dismiss your case if you file it after the deadline has passed. Even if you are trying to settle your case out of court and you are sure of obtaining a positive outcome, you must leave yourself ample time so that you can file a lawsuit in the worst case scenario.
An experienced lawyer will know the exceptions for deadline and whether they are applicable in your case so that the judge does not reject your lawsuit.