Dogs provide joy for many, yet can be dangerous animals capable of inflicting severe harm. Any dog can bite when it feels threatened, even those with ordinarily docile natures and no history of violence. If a canine recently attacked you, contact a Greene County dog bite lawyer.
Discussing your case with a seasoned personal injury attorney determines whether the owner violated state laws regarding aggressive canines and whether you can expect to recover damages for your injuries. Dog attacks can leave severe physical injuries behind and cause emotional and mental trauma, all of which call for compensation.
Mississippi uses the “one bite” rule to determine the owner’s liability in canine attack cases. If the dog does not have a prior record of violent acts and aggressive behavior, the owner is not liable and therefore does not have to pay the plaintiff’s damages. However, if the dog has been reported to the local humane society or has otherwise exhibited threatening behavior and is therefore a community danger, the owner is liable.
To receive compensation in a vicious dog case, the plaintiff and their attorney must show that the canine displayed menacing behavior prior to an attack, and the owner had reason to believe the animal was dangerous. For example, if the dog left its unfenced property and walked into the street towards the plaintiff growling and baring its teeth, the animal clearly showed aggressive tendencies. If the owner called the dog back to the property in reaction to the plaintiff shouting at the dog to go home, the defendant could have surmised that the canine was a danger and taken appropriate steps, such as installing a fence. Should the owner have failed to take protective measures and the dog attacked the plaintiff, the owner will pay damages.
Legal professionals represent clients in dog attack cases who have sustained injuries such as:
Dog bites can transmit diseases such as rabies. Owners who do not vaccinate their dogs become liable because domestic cats and dogs must be inoculated against the disease as per Title 41, Chapter 53, Section 1 of the Mississippi Code.
Defendants can argue dog bite claims in various ways, such as saying the animal was provoked. If the plaintiff threatened the dog, they might not be eligible for damages, especially if they trespassed on the owner’s property or had a previous history of taunting the canine. Trespassing provides a stand-alone defense as well since the plaintiff was not invited to the property and the defendant, therefore, did not owe a duty of care. Plaintiffs usually see their damage amounts reduced if they were on the property unlawfully.
If a dog attacked you or a loved one, you have three years to file your claim according to Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49. Start the claims process today by scheduling a consultation with a Greene County dog bite lawyer. Leave no details out to give the legal professional a clear idea of what damages you can expect to collect, including those for medical care, lost income, and mental anguish.
Contact our law firm now to speak with one of our friendly and experienced attorneys.