If you’ve suffered a dog bite, you probably have a lot of questions about what you can do to make sure you get the help you need. There are various laws in place to protect people from being bitten by dogs and there are even some common law torts you can use if your case goes to court.
Dangerous dogs law
In order to have a dog declared dangerous, it must first be proven that the animal has injured a human or domestic animal without justification. It must also be proven that the animal has threatened serious bodily injury. If the dog has threatened a person or animal with death, it must be euthanized.
Do dog bite cases go to court?
Depending on the type of offense committed, the owner of the dog may be held liable for a treble damages award. Moreover, the owner must pay all the costs incurred during the impoundment of the animal.
In order to make a case, the person making the complaint must provide evidence that the animal has inflicted serious bodily injury or killed a companion animal. This can be done by providing witnesses’ testimony, or by offering affidavits from the victims.
The county or municipal attorney will then file a petition to have the dog declared dangerous. After the petition is filed, a hearing is held. At the hearing, the judge will determine whether the dog is dangerous.
Common law tort option
If you are bitten by a dog, you have a couple of choices when it comes to going to court. One option is to use the common law tort option. This option allows you to recover various expenses, such as veterinary bills.
The first thing you should do is consult with an attorney. They will determine if your case meets the legal standards. If so, they will help you file the appropriate paperwork and possibly settle your claim. Depending on the circumstances, you may even win your case.
A few states also have statutes regarding the dog bite. In California, for example, the law is found in SS 3342. It imposes liability on the owner of a dog only if the dog has caused injury to a person.
Having said that, this does not mean that you cannot sue the owner if you were bitten by a dog. You might just need to prove that the dog’s owner had malicious intent.
Filing an incident report
If you’re suffering from injuries due to a dog bite, you may be able to receive compensation. You can file a claim against the owner of the dog to recover damages. However, you need to have proof that the dog was vicious.
Before filing a claim, you need to collect and document the information that is needed for a lawsuit. This includes the dog’s identity, its vaccination history, and its medical treatment. In addition, you should also collect the names and contact information of witnesses to the attack.
You should also call the police, animal control, or a humane society. These organizations will provide you with the official report of the incident. The information you collect will help you in your case.
Some states require you to report dog bites to local authorities. Having this documentation will ensure that the local government can enforce dog bite laws and make your community safe.
Another option is to go to small claims court. This is a less expensive method of obtaining compensation. Rather than presenting your case to a jury, you can bring it to a judge who will hear your case directly.
Compensation for pain and suffering
Pain and suffering damages are a kind of compensation that dog bite victims can receive if they have suffered a physical injury or psychological harm caused by a dog’s attack. The amount of money paid depends on the nature and severity of the injuries.
Economic damages include the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and therapy. Damages that are non-economic include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
If you have been the victim of a dog’s attack, it’s not uncommon for you to experience pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. These effects can continue for several years after the physical injury heals. In addition, it may be difficult to maintain relationships and continue doing things you love.
If you’re suffering from these effects, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can also exchange information with the dog’s owner. This will allow your attorney to evaluate your case and estimate the value of the damages.
