Dog Bite Injures FAQs
Can a person
bring a legal claim if he or she was bitten by a stray
dog?
What happens if my dog bites someone on
my property?
If a dog owner
violates the Leash Law, is he liable for injuries caused
by his dog?
What
compensation am I entitled to for dog bites & dog
attacks?
What is the most
common breed associated with dog bite attacks?
What is the “one
free bite” rule?
My neighbor has
a “Beware of Dog” sign posted in their yard. Are they liable
if their dog bites someone?
What should I do if
I’ve been bitten by a dog?
What should I do
if I’ve been bitten by a dog?
First, consult a physician to determine if you
need stitches, surgeries or treatment for rabies. Then,
immediately contact Chalik & Chalik to discuss your case.
My neighbor has a “Beware of Dog” sign
posted in their yard. Are they liable if their dog bites
someone?
Possibly. The sign can help to alert others of
the presence of the dog. But if an attack occurs, the
specific facts will determine whether there is any
liability.
What is the “one
free bite” rule?
In some states, the owner isn’t held liable for
the first bite the dog inflicts. Once an animal has
demonstrated vicious behavior, biting or otherwise
displaying a "vicious propensity", the owner can be held
liable.
What is the most
common breed associated with dog bite attacks?
Pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers are involved in
more than half of the deaths for which the breed of the dog
was known. Of these fatal attacks, more than two-thirds of
attacks involved a single dog, and more than half involved
dogs that were unrestrained on their owner's property.
However, any dog has the possibility to become violent.
Contact Chalik & Chalik Law Offices if you have been
attacked or bitten by a dog.
What
compensation am I entitled to for dog bites & dog attacks?
The life circumstances, age, and earning
capacity of the dog bite victim are all taken into
consideration when evaluating damage and compensation.
Direct damages from the dog bites may include medical bills,
lost wages, pain and suffering, psychological trauma,
physical disability, dog bite scars, etc.
If a dog owner
violates the Leash Law, is he liable for injuries caused by
his dog?
Generally, yes. If an owner violates a leash
law, and his dog attacks someone, many courts will hold that
this fact alone is enough to conclude the owner was
negligent. The injured person is then entitled to
compensation from the dog owner.
What happens if my
dog bites someone on my property?
If you were allegedly negligent in allowing the incident to
occur, then the liability portion of your homeowners’ policy
will likely respond. In most cases, a person is responsible
for controlling their pets so the pet does not present a
hazard to others.
Can a person bring
a legal claim if he or she was bitten by a stray dog?
Most likely, a person bitten by a stray dog will
not have a legal claim. Municipalities are generally not
responsible for stray dogs. If, however, a dog is being kept
at the local pound and escapes and bites you, you may have a
claim against the pound. If you can argue that the pound's
negligence caused your injury, you may be able to recover
damages.
For more information, please see our
Dog Bites page.
If you or someone you love suffered a dog bite injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Call or email The Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik for your complimentary consultation with an experienced dog bite injury attorney.
