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More or less 4.5 million canine bite cases are recorded each year in the United States. The most recent CDC figures on injury statistics pinpoint the annual emergency treatment of nearly 800,000 victims of dog bite-related injuries. The children, especially those under the age of 10, are the group with the highest reported incidence of injuries. More than a few dog bite–related deaths involve older adults, especially individuals over the age of 65.
Dog bites could lead to severe physical injuries, emotional stresses, and undesired financial losses through medical expenses. If a dog has bitten you, you may have legal rights for compensation for medical expenses, wages lost, and pain and suffering.
According to Michigan dog bite attorney Richard G. Brewer, the jury can consider any action from a dog bite victim that might attract the dog’s attention as provocation. If provocation can be established, this would save the dog owner from liability for any harm caused by the dog.
Let’s examine the things you can expect once you are involved in a lawsuit concerning a dog bite incident.
Who’s Responsible in a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Liability in a dog bite case is quite complex, as many circumstances surrounding a dog bite are there at the very onset. People often incorrectly assume dog owners are always at fault for attacks and bites caused by their dogs.
The determination of guilt between two parties depends on multiple elements, which include the dog’s dangerous behavior and his previous aggressive incidents.
In the presence of a dangerous animal on the property, the owner or landlord carries legal liability for its actions. Before going forward with any potential legal battles, consider the specifics of these issues. These issues vary significantly depending on the case in which liability is involved.
Essential Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident
If you have been bitten, proceed soon for treatment at a hospital, irrespective of the seriousness of the damage. Photograph your bitten body part, and know what immediate treatments you can use to prevent long-term infection.
The incident requires reporting to local animal control and other relevant authorities to produce official documentation that will establish an official record of the occurrence. You should have a friendly conversation with the dog owner about the episode involving the source of your injuries.
Contact a dog bite injury attorney who is well-versed in personal injury law for an opinion on your legal options. The treatment facility will provide you with legal protection while delivering the necessary medical services.
How Compensation Is Determined in Dog Bite Cases
In figuring out the amount of money to be awarded for a dog bite incident, several factors must be taken into account. Pain and suffering, severity of injury, medical costs, and emotional pain all contribute to the potential compensation amount.
According to the personal injury law firm website https://bartlettgrippe.com/, when a severe injury occurred or when the injury is permanent in nature, the personal injury victim can be compensated for future medical expenses too.
The value of your potential compensation increases in direct proportion to the severity of your injuries. You must collect complete medical bill documentation together with treatment cost information. These details will affect the potential amount of your claim.
Your compensation extends to the emotional distress you suffered from the incident, which includes anxiety and fear. The evaluation process will include lost wages that resulted from your work absence during your recovery period.
Insurance companies and courts will analyze these factors to establish appropriate compensation amounts. To build your case successfully, you must gather comprehensive evidence while keeping precise records.
How State Laws Affect Dog Bite Liability
People who handle dog bite incidents need to learn how state laws determine who will face responsibility for these events. Each state has created specific rules to handle dog bite situations. These distinct state regulations produce different outcomes during legal trials.
Some states implement a strict liability system, which allows you to pursue legal action without needing to establish the owner’s negligence when their dog attacks you. The one-bite principle holds dog owners liable only if they knew of their dog’s violent tendencies.
In numerous states, “comparative negligence” entails that your award will be offset by a corresponding percentage of fault. Recognizing how the legal system works prepares you for anything that comes your way.
What to Expect in Court for Dog Bite Cases
Equipped with the knowledge of the possibilities that may occur and what the outcomes would mean for you, court anxiety can be competently managed.
The jury selection process begins with questioning each potential juror until the court determines the exact number of jurors needed. Eventually, the parties make their opening statements so that their respective legal arguments are disclosed to the court.
Your case will proceed by calling witnesses to establish the evidence. The cross-examination from the opposition would try to chip away at your story and ask you several questions about the inconsistencies in your testimony.
At that time, parties are allowed to make closing arguments. The closing argument is a summary of each party’s perspective. Afterward, the jury will withdraw to examine and discuss the case inside a private chamber.
Your legal counsel would be guiding you through the whole process, explaining to you each step of the way and offering valuable legal advice.
Dog bite suits are easier to understand when the people know the process. Your case will be easier to handle if you know who is responsible, take immediate steps after the incident, and understand the process used to determine compensation.
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