What kind of lawyer do I need if my dog bit someone?

A dog bite claim can arise even in cases of "peaceful" dogs. Dogs by nature are given to biting, especially when they feel threatened. An innocuous gesture by a human being may be interpreted by the dog as an aggressive act and the dog may act accordingly. Whether the victim has a viable claim against you is determined by the circumstances of the event. This is particularly true if a child is the victim and the injuries are severe.

If your dog attacks a human being, you may face severe liability. Except in cases of the animal attacking an intruder or protecting its owner, dog bites may result in both civil and possibly criminal liability. This is especially so where the breed of dog is known to be aggressive, such as pit bulls. If you failed to properly restrain your pet, you may face criminal charges at a felony level if the victim suffered severe injury or dies from those injuries.

Owners Responsibility for Injury Costs

Dog bit costs may include the following:

• Victim’s medical and recovery expenses
• Victim’s property damage
• Victim’s lost wages
• Victim’s pain and suffering
• Victim’s loss of mobility or body function
• Costs of euthanizing dog that attacked
• Punitive damages for wanton negligence
• Criminal fines for criminal violations stemming from the attack

Some jurisdictions consider whether the bite was a first-time occurrence and penalties are not as severe as they are for a repeat incident.

You may ask "what kind of lawyer do I need if my dog bit someone?" Note that there are attorneys who specialize in dog bite cases. Finding an attorney is very important following an attack by your dog on another human (or in some cases, even another animal). Because victims may require extensive surgery and reconstructive procedures to repair damages, the subsequent costs may be exacting. Additionally, you may face criminal charges depending on your state's laws. Talk with an attorney as soon as possible.