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When a Dog Owner Is Liable for Injuries
The dog owner is usually liable for the attack costs. Proving liability depends on two rules: the "One-Bite" Exception (if the owner knew the dog was aggressive) or Strict Liability (owner pays regardless). Irresponsible ownership (like ignoring leash laws) strengthens the case for full compensation.
When a dog attacks, it’s very scary. It happens quickly, and the effects can be very bad, especially for a child. They can leave deep puncture wounds, damage nerves, and induce dread and worry that last for a long time.
If this has happened to you or someone in your family, you are undoubtedly wondering two things: Is the dog okay? And who is going to pay for the trip to the emergency room, the operations to heal the damage, and the years of therapy to deal with the emotional trauma?
The legislation specifies that the owner of the dog has to pay most of the time.
We at Pyramid Legal recognize that most dog bite cases are about making the owner pay for being reckless, not punishing the dog. We take care of the complicated legal regulations so you can get the money you need to get better.
1. The most crucial thing to ask is whether the owner knew the dog was a problem
Lawyers use one of two major rules to hold an owner liable for an attack, depending on where it happened:
- Rule A: The “One-Bite” Exception (The Owner Knew): If the owner knew their dog had been aggressive before, like lunging at a jogger, growling at a guest, or biting a mail delivery, they are responsible for the bite. Our main goal is to show that the owner didn’t pay attention to the indicators that something was wrong.
- Rule B: The owner is always responsible (they have to pay no matter what): This regulation is considerably easier for victims to follow. If your state has strict responsibility, the owner is responsible for the bite even if they didn’t know the dog was aggressive. The owner is automatically guilty because the bite happened.
2. When the owner doesn’t take care of things and makes it easier for the case to be heard
We usually find out that the owner was just irresponsible, even if they didn’t know their dog was hazardous. This is usually the easiest way to show that they owe you money.- Not following leash laws: Most towns and counties have restrictions about how to keep dogs on leashes or in gated yards. If the owner didn’t follow the rules about leashes and the attack happened, that’s usually clear indication of negligence.
- Not enough supervision: Did a big, strong dog stay with little kids? Was the owner too lazy to fix the broken fence? Did they leave a dangerous dog chained up outside a store? All of these things show that the owner was negligent and damaged you.
3. Trying to get all the money
Dog bites sometimes hurt people badly enough that they need to go to the emergency room more than once, which leads to big claims. We put forth a lot of effort to cover every result:- Physical Healing: All medical bills, from emergency sutures and infection management to long-term treatments like plastic surgery to make scars and other disfigurements less obvious.
- Financial Loss: The money you lost because you couldn’t work while you were getting better.
- Emotional trauma: The pain of the attack itself and the long-lasting repercussions on the mind, such fear, anxiety, nightmares, and the fact that the effects are stronger when a child is the victim.
4. What You Need to Do Right Now
If a dog attacks you, you should do these things straight away to defend your rights:- Get Medical Help: Clean the wound and see a doctor straight away to avoid a bad infection and keep an eye on how bad it is.
- Get in touch with the dog’s owner: Get their name, address, and most essential, the information about their renter’s or homeowner’s insurance. This is where the money normally comes from.
- Take Pictures: Take pictures of the injuries, the crime site, and any ripped clothes, even if they are healing.
- Instead of calling the owner’s insurance company, call Pyramid Legal. We can begin the inquiry right away and prove that the owner is legally responsible in your location.
