Dogs have long been known as man’s best friend, but dogs bite humans with surprising frequency: nearly 1,000 people in the United States report to emergency rooms every day for treatment for dog bites. Dog bites are the second leading cause of children’s visits to emergency rooms. In 2022, dog bites cost insurance companies over $1 billion, with an average cost per claim of $64,555. The terror of a vicious dog attack can leave emotional scars that run as deep as the physical scarring from a dog bite. If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact a Charlottesville dog bite attorney for a free legal consultation if you have been injured by a dog bite.
History of Aggression
There are various ways an owner may be legally liable for their dog’s attack against a person or another animal. A common reason a dog owner may be legally responsible for their dog biting another person or an animal is when the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. This is often called the “One Free Bite Rule”, although that is a gross oversimplification: prior aggressions are not necessarily limited to earlier biting attacks, and may include other incidents of barking, lunging, growling, charging and baring of teeth. The basic principle is that the owner is not on notice that their dog may attack until they have witnessed aggressive behavior on a previous occasion. However, the owner of an animal is deemed to know the tendencies of its breed regardless of prior behavior, for example, that a livestock guardian breed may attack strangers to whom it has not been introduced.
What Damages Can I Recover?
You may be entitled to receive compensation for past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, scarring, blood loss, disfigurement, humiliation, embarrassment, loss of mobility, traumatic recall, past and future lost wages, and lost earning potential from your dog bite, among other damages. We know how to present the full story of all your damages in order to achieve your greatest recovery. Dog bite victims’ injuries are often greater than they realize when they first meet us. Your recovery is too important to entrust your case to novices who don’t specialize in representing injured persons.
The Clock is Ticking
Virginians injured by dog bites have only a limited amount of time within which to file their lawsuit for money damages if they are unable to obtain a settlement. Because there is no time to lose, it is crucial that you contact a seasoned dog bite lawyer without delay. Contact Tremblay & Smith for a free consultation about your dog bite or other animal attack injuries.