Dogs can be pleasant and fun to be around, the perfect companion for most families. However, some dogs can misbehave or get provoked and bite a person. Dog bites can be severely painful and leave their victims with physical and sometimes emotional trauma.
Any of us can be a victim of a dog bite incident. You need to be aware of the legal options before you if you find yourself in such a situation. You can file a dog bite lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable and get compensation for your injuries. A Hammond dog bite lawyer can help you with the process, assisting you in getting justice. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help.
How a Hammond Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
You can handle a dog bite lawsuit and all related processes yourself. However, the legal processes involved can be lengthy and require more legal knowledge than you have. Working with a Hammond dog bite lawyer can help you with the whole process. The lawyer can also help you learn more about your case.
A Hammond dog bite lawyer can assist you in filing a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. They can also help you go about recovering compensation. Their legal knowledge can be helpful when dealing with the other party’s defense. They know the deadlines for all cases and will ensure you file all your claims on time.
Some lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis. This is favorable to you as you don’t have to deal with retainers or hourly charges, only paying them when they get you results. Lawyers can also act as legal counsel and answer questions you might have regarding your case. They can help with the evidence collection process to increase your chances of winning the case.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientRecoverable Damages
Dog bites vary from case to case, depending on the severity of the injuries. A Hammond dog bite lawyer can also calculate your other damages and give you a proposed settlement amount. They can divide your damages into two types, economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These are your tangible losses, those you can put a price on. They include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Reduced earning potential
You can also get coverage for smaller costs, such as mileage for doctor’s appointments and at-home equipment necessary for your recovery. Your lawyer can quickly put a monetary value on your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
These are non-tangible, making it harder to calculate their value. However, a Hammond dog bite lawyer can assign them a monetary value. Non-economic damages that you can claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Emotional anguish
- Permanent disability
- Physical disfigurement
The damages can also include loss of consortium for those who lose some benefits from a family member because of their injuries.
A lawyer can also anticipate any future damages you might face, such as ongoing medical care and surgery. You can also get compensation for other injuries or medical costs resulting from the dog bite injury. You will, however, need to show the connection between the initial injury and the resulting condition. A Hammond dog bite lawyer can also help you pursue wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one from a dog bite attack.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientStatute of Limitations
This refers to the time limit you should file all your claims. Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Wrongful death claims also have the same duration.
You should file any lawsuits concerning the incident within two years. You cannot file a lawsuit after the time expires, so you need to act quickly. A Hammond dog bite lawyer can start working on your case as soon as you present it to them. They are also aware of the statute of limitations and will ensure they do everything necessary within the time limit.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientLiability in Dog Bite Cases in Hammond
Hammond uses two rules when determining liability in dog bite cases. A dog bite can result from the owner’s negligence, making negligence the base of your claim. An example of negligence is the one-bite rule. The owner should take extra measures to ensure their dog doesn’t hurt anyone if they have a previous biting history. However, the strict liability doctrine can come into play in some circumstances.
This doctrine holds the responsible party liable for the injury and the owner’s wrongful conduct. This applies regardless of the level of care they practiced to prevent harm. Under this doctrine, you, the victim, only have to prove that the dog hurt you. There is no need to prove negligence; the dog owner automatically becomes responsible for your injuries and other damages.
The law can only enforce strict liability on owners who carry out legal duties. It would not protect you if you got injured on private or public property. In such a case, you will have to prove negligence. The law can use strict liability on the dog owner for your injuries if you:
- Were peaceful
- Didn’t provoke the dog or threaten the owner
- Are in a place you can lawfully be in
- Were performing postal duties or other duties imposed by the federal or state government
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientProving Liability in Dog Bite Cases
Evidence is necessary when proving a dog bite. This is what supports your case and gives you access to compensation. The evidence can help you prove liability and secure your settlement. Some of the evidence you can use includes:
- Picture or video evidence
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Personal testimony
- Proof of owner’s negligence, for example, frayed leashes
- Proof of property damage, such as damage to yourself and your belongings
A Hammond dog bite lawyer can help you get access to your medical documents to help you prove your injuries. You can also help your case by showing receipts and bills from all accumulated costs. Proof of your lost wages will help you demonstrate any monetary damages you incur.
Journal and document your pain levels, injuries, treatments, and the impact the injuries have on your daily life. Your lawyer can use this to convince the insurance adjuster and get you fair compensation.
Work With a Laborde Earles Dog Bite Lawyer
A Hammond dog bite lawyer is ready to handle any work concerning your case from beginning to end. They will explain all the legal procedures, answer your questions, and help you file paperwork on time. Labored Earles attorneys offer their services at no cost to you; you pay them once they get results. Contact us to learn about working with a Laborde Earles dog bite lawyer. Get a free case review today.
