If you are a dog attack victim, you are legally allowed to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for any pain and damage caused by the attack. If the dog seriously injures you, you have the right to sue for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional effects that necessitate any therapy. Call an injury attorney to get the proper legal assistance in claiming in the case of a dog attack.
Who is liable after a dog bite injury?
The dog owner’s liability insurance compensates the losses incurred by the victim even if the injury takes place away from the dog owner’s property.
Dog owners are legally responsible for any injury caused by their pets. But in the following cases, the liability falls on someone else.
- Owners are generally liable for injuries in negligence cases or if they were aware of their dogs’ danger. But if someone else is taking care of the dog, they are as liable as the dog’s legal owner bites someone. Someone is not legally qualified as a dog’s keeper unless they exercise care, custody, or control over the dog. A person merely giving commands to their dog does not make them liable for a potential accident caused by the dog. They are not required to provide monetary compensation in an accident.
- When someone offers to temporarily take care of another person’s dog as a dog keeper, that person will be considered the dog’s caretaker and will be held liable for any injuries caused by the dog.
- If the dog owner or the person taking its care is a child aged 18 or under, the minor’s parents are liable if the dog harms someone. The liability of compensating the victim of such an accident falls on the child’s parents.
- Landlords who don’t control their tenants’ dogs are not liable when the animals cause harm to someone. But some states hold them responsible in certain circumstances. Suppose the landlord was aware of the dog’s danger but took no measures against it and allowed the animals on their property. In that case, they are responsible for recovering the damages suffered by the victim.
Contact an attorney.
Understanding your legal rights after getting injured by a dog can be challenging. In such a situation, a personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
