A dog attack could result in agonizing injuries that require medical treatment and rehabilitation, which creates a pile of medical bills and a possible inability to return to work. These attacks can leave the victim feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
If you sustained injuries after being bitten or otherwise attacked by a dog, you have legal options. You can benefit from reaching out to a Norwalk dog bite lawyer for assistance. Our team at Skiber Law can provide the legal help that you deserve after an animal attack.
A skilled Norwalk personal injury lawyer can assess the facts of your case and determine if you have a valid claim. If so, we can then work tirelessly to request maximum compensation on your behalf. We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, and we’re ready to address your legal concerns right now.
Why Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Norwalk, CT?
Hiring a personal injury attorney to help with your dog bite claim means you’ll always have someone there to put you first and protect your claim. Our law firm can step in to help with all of your legal needs. We’re here and ready to:
Answer Your Questions
You can reach out to our law office if you have questions about your eligibility to file a claim or the steps you need to take to get maximum compensation for all your losses. We’ll provide straightforward answers so you can make informed decisions.
Collect Evidence
Our attorneys can gather evidence to build your claim after an animal attack. We may speak to witnesses who saw the attack and look for surveillance footage showing what happened so we can establish the facts.
Discuss Options to Resolve Your Claim
We ensure you understand all the options that can help you secure compensation for your losses after an animal attack. We’ll provide steadfast legal representation throughout the process so you always have someone on your side.
Connecticut’s Dog Bite Laws
Cases involving dog attacks are subject to several legal nuances that may affect the outcome. These include strict liability and Connecticut’s specific dog bite statute. Our team of personal injury lawyers can explain:
Strict Liability for Dog Owners in Norwalk
Connecticut’s laws on strict liability allow you to seek compensation from dog owners after many animal attacks. Under these laws, an owner automatically assumes responsibility for their animals’ behavior.
You do not have to prove that the owner acted irresponsibly or that the owner knew they owned a dangerous dog to seek compensation for your losses. Under this statute, owners are responsible for bites, other potential injuries, and even property damage caused in an attack.
However, strict liability laws do not apply if the attack involved someone trespassing onto the dog owner’s property or if the injury victim teased, attacked, or tormented the dog before the attack.
Strict Liability for a Dog’s Keeper in Norwalk
In some cases, someone “keeping” a dog may hold liability for an animal attack. Keepers control animals and carry some of the responsibilities a dog’s owner would normally have. For example, someone who dog-sits an animal by staying at the owner’s home would qualify as a keeper.
Connecticut’s strict liability laws may allow you to directly pursue an animal’s keeper for compensation for dog bite injuries. In some cases, you may even bring a claim against the dog’s owner and the keeper.
Connecticut’s “One-Bite” Rule
Connecticut also has a “one-bite” rule that applies in some animal attack claims. This rule can allow you to bring a claim against someone other than a dog’s owner or keeper after an attack.
This law states that individuals may be held liable for attacks by animals they knew were dangerous if they failed to take precautions to prevent attacks on their property.
For example, this law may allow you to seek compensation from a landlord who allowed a tenant to keep a dangerous animal in an apartment without forcing the owner to keep the dog muzzled or otherwise appropriately restrained. Our law firm can give you more information about these laws.
Your Compensation After a Dog Attack
A dog bite attorney in Norwalk can help you seek compensation for any losses you sustain after a bite. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for funds to pay for your:
Medical Bills
An animal attack can result in catastrophic injuries. You may face significant medical expenses as you get treatment for cuts, infections, or even nerve damage. Our team can fight to bring you the funds you need to cover everything from your emergency medical treatment to your last physical therapy appointment.
Lost Wages
We can take steps to bring you compensation for any pay you miss while taking time off work to focus on your recovery. In some cases, you may qualify for funds to cover your reduced earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
Animal attacks can have significant non-economic consequences. We know how to determine the true value of these effects, which could include things like:
- Pain that stops you from enjoying your life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Our law firm believes in helping our clients get maximum compensation for their losses when we handle dog bite cases. We’ll consider all the physical, emotional, and mental effects of an attack so we can fully represent the losses you sustained.
How Much Money Can You Get After an Attack?
We need to carefully review the specifics of your situation before we can estimate the value of your claim. We always strive to bring our clients the maximum compensation possible in their situation.
Why Pick Us After a Dog Attack?
Our legal team at Skiber Law understands what you‘re going through after a dog attacks and injures you or a loved one. We can immediately step in to provide the support you deserve in this challenging time, helping you navigate the legal system so you can make a financial recovery.
We strive to achieve exceptional results quickly, bringing you the money you deserve while minimizing unnecessary delays. We stay accessible throughout the legal process, so you can always reach out to us for same-day communication.
We believe in taking a client-centric approach to handling these complex claims. We’ll focus on looking for common-sense solutions to your unique legal challenges, standing by you every step of the way.
We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Our firm uses a contingency fee system to handle personal injury claims. You only pay for our legal fees after we resolve your claim. You can learn more about how we can help and our pricing when you contact us for a risk-free initial consultation.
The Legal Process After a Dog Bite
We can walk you through all the steps of the legal process when you need compensation following an attack by an animal. Generally, this process involves:
Identifying the Liable Party
We need to determine who holds responsibility for injuries caused by a dog to begin your claim. We may speak to witnesses to identify the dog’s owner or even get information from animal control.
We’ll consider all potentially liable parties, allowing us to confidently move forward with your claim.
Investigating What Happened
We need to collect evidence to establish that the dog bit you and caused your injuries and financial losses.
Filing the Appropriate Paperwork
Our team can complete the appropriate legal paperwork to begin your claim. We understand what information we need to include when filing a claim against a dog’s owner or keeper.
Presenting Your Claim
We’ll present your claim and represent your best interests throughout the legal process. In many cases, we can focus on negotiating a settlement with the insurance company that represents the party responsible for the attack.
If the insurance company refuses to provide the compensation you deserve, we can discuss other options to resolve your claim.
Your Steps After an Animal Attack
If a dog attacks and bites you, you need to act quickly. We generally recommend that clients in this situation:
Get Medical Attention
You may need emergency treatment after a mauling. Getting treatment right away can improve your chances of a complete physical recovery. Additionally, getting fast care can establish the severity of your injuries and connect them to an attack by an animal, strengthening your legal claim.
Immediately Report the Attack
You should report any attack to the relevant authorities. The Norwalk Department of Police Services handles animal control for the city. Reporting the attack creates an official record of what happened, which your Norwalk dog bite attorney can use when building your claim.
Collect Evidence When Possible
You may have a chance to collect evidence regarding the attack. We recommend that you take pictures of your injuries, the site of the attack, and even the dog if you can do so without sustaining further harm.
You should get contact information from everyone who witnessed the attack and write down what you remember about the bite. Your Norwalk dog bite attorney can use all of this information when helping with your case.
Contact a Lawyer
You should reach out to a skilled legal professional for dedicated assistance after a bite. An attorney will ensure you understand each step you should take to get compensation and will put you first throughout the legal process.
You do not have to try to handle this challenging time on your own. Our team is standing by to provide the steadfast support that you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to Seek Compensation?
One of the first steps to take when filing a dog bite injury claim is to determine the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations gives plaintiffs a certain amount of time to file a legal claim.
Dog bites, which fall under personal injury, must be filed within two years of the date of injury.
If no settlement could be reached between the parties prior to litigation, a dedicated Connecticut lawyer could take a dog bite case to trial.
Contact Us After a Dog Bite in Norwalk, CT
Recovering from a severe dog attack could result in extensive medical bills and lost wages due to missed time at work. When a careless or reckless pet owner is responsible for these losses, you should not have to pay for them alone.
Instead, you could pursue a legal claim to request compensation with the help of a Norwalk dog bite attorney. Taking on a case alone could be frustrating and difficult, especially as you recover from your trauma.
A tenacious and compassionate attorney from our team at Skiber Law can shoulder the weight of a legal claim and work to help you reach a favorable outcome. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your legal options and learn more about us.