Dog bites can result in serious injuries, including permanent, painful scarring. Severe dog bite injuries can require multiple surgeries and result in lost work time and mobility. If you or your child has been injured by a dog bite in Little Rock, Arkansas or Arkansas, you can pursue compensation from the dog’s owner.
Discuss Your Case With a Skilled Little Rock Dog Bite Attorney
Navigating a claim for compensation after a dog bite isn’t easy, and victims will benefit from the help of a Arkansas attorney. Attorney Tim Reed can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation and discuss your case with a skilled attorney.
Little Rock, Arkansas Dog Bite Laws
A person who keeps a dog or other domestic animal that is known to have dangerous tendencies is strictly liable for the damages caused by the dog. In other words, victims of dog bites don’t have to prove that the dog owner was negligent in order to hold the owner liable. The victim only needs to prove that the dog has a propensity for dangerous behavior, that the dog bit the victim, and that the bite caused injuries.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
In most cases, the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries under premises liability. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to pursue compensation through an insurance policy. For example, if you were attacked at the dog owner’s home, you may be able to pursue a claim through the owner’s home insurance policy.
Wherever you are attacked, you will need to show that the dog is known for its predisposition to attack someone. For example, you may be able to find a witness to testify that the dog regularly tried to attack pedestrians walking by its yard. You may be able to prove that the dog has bitten someone before, or you may even be able to prove that the dog bit someone after biting you.
Strict Liability
Certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, may be inherently prone to vicious behavior. Other dogs may just have a bad attitude. If the dog is a dangerous breed, has already bitten someone, or is known to be dangerous, the owner is strictly liable when the dog bites someone. That means the owner is responsible for the bite and resulting injuries. Period. That makes it easier for you to obtain compensation for your losses.
Investigating Your Dog Bite Incident
Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible after your accident can help you protect your right to compensation. Little Rock attorney Tim Reed will investigate the dog attack and gather the evidence needed to pursue your claim for compensation. These investigative steps may include the following:
- Obtaining the veterinary records of the attacking dog
- Investigating the dog’s history of dangerous or vicious behavior
- Interviewing witnesses
- Reviewing the police report related to the dog bite incident
- Obtaining the opinion of qualified professionals, such as animal trainers
- Gathering photos and videos that document the attack, your injuries, and the dog
- Gathering medical records related to your dog bite
- Working with medical experts who can testify to the extent of your injuries
Recoverable Damages After a Dog Bite Attack
Serious dog bites can cause extensive injuries that require costly medical treatment, including emergency care, multiple surgeries, and rehabilitation. Children are especially at risk of suffering severe consequences in dog bite cases. For example, when a dog bites a child’s face, he or she may need multiple reconstructive surgeries, which can result in difficulties speaking and eating.
Attorney Tim Reed will gather the evidence needed to support a claim for all your losses, including medical documents and statements from your employer regarding the value of your lost income. You only have one opportunity to recover for your damages, so it’s essential that you pursue the total amount of damages to which you are entitled. For example, if you can no longer work due to dog bite injuries, you’ll need to recover compensation for the value of your lost income. You may also need to account for future medical expenses. Arkansas personal injury victims can pursue the following types of damages and more:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and benefits (past and future)
- Property damage
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Unfortunately, severe dog attacks can also lead to a victim’s death. If you have lost a loved one due to a dog mauling incident, you may want to consider pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the dog’s owner. While nothing can bring your loved one back, a wrongful death settlement can help you and your family pay for your loved one’s medical expenses, lost financial contributions, and pain and suffering, as well as your own mental anguish.
Discuss Your Legal Options in Little Rock During a Free Dog Bite Case Evaluation
If you or your child has been injured by a dog bite, it’s worth discussing your case with an attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and more. You shouldn’t bear the financial consequences alone. Attorney Tim Reed will advocate for you to recover your losses and ease the financial burden of your attack. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation.