While most dogs are loveable and amiable animals, some dogs are considered dangerous. In fact, every year, people in the US are bitten by an animal, most often a dog. In some of these cases, an individual has the right to recover damages from the animal’s owner or the responsible party, therefore, a bite from an animal may be cause for you to file a lawsuit in a court of law.
Seek Advice from a Lawyer if You Are Bitten
According to injury lawyers in Reno, NV, you should seek medical attention immediately if you are bit by an animal. If you are not treated, the bite can lead to infection and even death, especially if the animal was diseased. Once you are medically examined, you need to consider seeking the advice of an attorney who has experience in animal bite cases. An attorney can inform you if you have a valid legal claim and what damages you can recover.
If you make an appointment with injury lawyers, they will usually ask that you provide a detailed accounting of the event or the circumstances surrounding the bite incident. At the least, you should be able to supply the contact information of the animal’s owner.
Determining Liability Can Be Difficult
According to injury lawyers, responsibility for an animal bite usually falls on the owner of the animal. Determining whether an owner knew of their dog’s dangerous propensities can be a challenge. The first inquiry that arises in this regard is whether the owner needed to know the dog’s potential for harm, or whether they needed to know the kinds of dogs that are potentially harmful.
In addition, courts also consider contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff. For example, they look to determine if an injured party’s behavior caused the dog or animal to bite. In other words, did the plaintiff perform a reasonable degree of care for their own safety?
