People love dogs, but there are times when dogs do bite and cause severe injuries. At Jacobs & Jacobs, we are here to help if you need a New Haven dog bite attorney by your side. We know that these cases can become complicated, particularly when trying to secure compensation from a dog’s owner. The unfortunate reality is that dog bites can lead to significant long-term consequences for you or a loved one, and our law firm is here to help you get through this process.
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Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs?
How Will an Attorney Help With a Dog Bite Claim?
What Does Connecticut Law Say About Dog Bites?
Most Common Dog Bite Injuries
What is a Level 1 Dog Bite?
How Bad Does a Dog Bite Have to Be to Sue?
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in New Haven?
Call Our Dog Bite Attorney Today
Dog bite injury cases are always challenging because there is going to be a significant push from the at-fault party to try to say the incident was an accident and that they should not be liable. However, our dog bite lawyer will understand all of the Connecticut dog bite laws, and they will know how to take on insurance carriers in these cases.
After working with medical professionals to evaluate the client, and economic professionals to help calculate total expected losses, an attorney will present the demand for total compensation to the insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will prepare to take the animal attack case to trial.
When we turn to Connecticut General Statutes section 22-357, we can see that the state operates under what is considered a “strict liability” dog bite law. Many other states throughout the country also operate under this type of system, and this means that the dog owner will be held liable for injuries their dog causes under the following circumstances:
Under Connecticut’s strict liability dog bite law, this will apply to any injuries caused by the dog bite or for other kinds of injuries the dog may cause to a person. For example, if a person has been knocked over by a dog and breaks their arm, the strict liability dog bite law in this state will require the dog owner to pay compensation to the victim. In other states across the country, the strict liability law only applies to injuries caused by the actual bite.
States that do not use a strict liability dog bite law typically use a “one-bite” rule instead. Under a one-bite rule, the dog owner will not be held liable for any injuries caused by their dog unless the dog has previously bitten somebody or the owner knew or should have known that the dog was aggressive. Contact a New Haven personal injury attorney to determine who is liable for your injuries after a dog attack.
Dog attacks can be incredibly severe. Dogs have powerful jaws, and they can inflict significant damage on a person’s body. At Jacobs & Jacobs, it is not uncommon for our New Haven dog bite injury lawyers to help clients who have sustained the following:
Any of these injuries can result in considerable medical bills. In addition to these traumatic injuries, victims of dog attacks often sustain significant emotional and psychological trauma for some time after the incident occurs.
The most recent survey of dog bite injuries conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in this country. Around 800,000 of those injury victims require medical assistance at the hospital each year.
The Dunbar Bite scale was created to measure the severity of a dog bite. According to Dr. Ian Dunbar’s scale, there are six increasingly severe levels of bites. The scale measures both the damage caused by an aggressive dog and the reasons they may have acted in such a forceful manner towards you or a loved one. The bite scale levels can be summarized as:
If you suffer a severe or catastrophic injury from an unprovoked dog attack, it is likely an easy decision to sue for damages incurred. However, if you receive a dog bite that causes minor damage, you may be wondering whether it’s worth investing in a lawsuit.
While it may be more difficult to sue for a minor dog bite injury depending on your state’s laws, it is certainly possible. While you may not have suffered last injuries as a result of the attack, dog bites can cause trauma and emotional distress. You may be entitled to compensation for your experience, which is why we suggest documenting your injuries, filing an incident report, and consulting with our New Haven dog bite attorneys.
Most minor dog bite incidents are settled outside of court. We’ll negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive the damages you’re owed. If a satisfactory amount isn’t reached through negotiations, we walk you through your legal options, which may include a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
It is important for all dog bite injury victims to know that they have a limited amount of time to file these claims in court. The Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the day the injury occurs. This gives dog bite victims in New Haven a two-year window to seek compensation from the alleged negligent dog owner. Failing to file a claim within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they are entitled to.
In these cases, dog bite injury victims may be entitled to various types of compensation. This can include:
If you or somebody you love has been bitten and injured by a dog in the New Haven area, you can contact the team at Jacobs & Jacobs for assistance with your case today. Our law firm has extensive experience handling complex injury claims, and we have the resources necessary to take on aggressive insurance companies and dog owners. We will not back down, and we will take your claim all the way to trial if necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. When you need a New Haven dog bite injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation, call us at (203) 777-2300.