A dog attack can be a uniquely frightening experience that results in uniquely serious injuries. If you were the victim of an animal attack or dog bite which you did not provoke, you might be entitled to compensation.
A Pascagoula dog bite lawyer may be able to help you hold the responsible party accountable in court by investigating the attack and speaking to medical professionals to determine the damages you may be eligible to recover. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your case and the legal options which may be available to you.
Many states have specific statutes governing dog owners’ liability for injuries caused by their dogs, but the State of Mississippi does not. Instead, Mississippi adheres to the “one-bite rule,” which shields dog owners from liability if they could not have reasonably foreseen that their dog would attack someone else. A dog owner may be liable for injuries caused by their dog’s second attack.
Under the one-bite rule, an injured plaintiff could argue that the dog owner knew or reasonably should have known of their dog’s dangerous propensities based on a prior attack. In addition to a previous dog bite, other behaviors may serve as evidence of dangerous tendencies depending on the situation.
Violations of the law could be relevant in a dog bite case. For example, if the dog owner was violating a leash law at the time of the incident, their conduct could support a finding of negligence.
On the other hand, if the injured party was trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the incident, the dog owner could use that argument to build a defense against personal liability. A Pascagoula dog bite attorney could help an injured individual prepare for the various defenses the defendant might have.
It is vital that dog bite victims seek immediate medical treatment, even if the injury does not appear to be severe. In addition to preventing infections, medical professionals could assess and document all injuries for the purposes of an eventual civil suit.
However, seeking immediate care could lead to injured individuals amassing significant medical costs. Fortunately, with the help of a dedicated attorney, they may be able to recover through civil litigation for losses and expenses related to the incident such as:
A dog attack lawyer in Pascagoula could help an injured individual assess damages in their case and determine if filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Mississippi has a three-year deadline to file personal injury claims, though, so if an injured individual does not file their complaint in time, they may become ineligible to seek compensation from the responsible party.
It could be difficult to handle a dog bite case on your own, particularly if you are still recovering from your injury. A seasoned attorney could make the legal process easier for you by investigating the incident, obtaining any relevant records and reports, and filing a claim. Contact a Pascagoula dog bite lawyer today for an evaluation of your claim and advice regarding how you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries.