While dogs are considered “man’s best friend,” they are animals that will react on instinct. Under certain conditions, even a trusted family dog can become vicious. A poorly-trained dog is even more dangerous, particularly if allowed to wander the neighborhood. Due to provocation, fear, or animal instinct, dogs can suddenly attack and leave an innocent child or adult with serious or fatal injuries.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports on the staggering numbers of dog bites per year – more than 4.5 million, with over 800,000 requiring medical attention. More than half of the victims of dog bites are children.
Sadly, many dog bites lead to terrible injuries. The most common injuries from a dog attack include:
Wisconsin Statute 174.02 states that “the owner of a dog is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person…” If you or a loved one was injured by a vicious dog, it is crucial that you seek legal representation to assist you. You have the right to file a lawsuit or claim against the dog’s owner to seek full compensation for all damages. The damages may be extensive in a case of serious injury, and may include:
Whether the dog owner attempted to intervene and prevent the dog attack, or the dog has escaped its enclosure and was free in the neighborhood, the dog owner can be held liable in a claim or lawsuit to seek full compensatory damages. If the dog has previously bitten a person, you may be entitled to receive a settlement equal to twice the amount of the damages. Working with an experienced Wisconsin dog bite attorney can help you hold the responsible party liable for your injuries.
Children love animals and are naturally curious. As they are shorter in stature, the injuries inflicted by a dog are often on the face and neck, leading to permanent disfiguring scars. It is vital that a child suffering these injuries has access to the best in medical care to treat the injuries and limit scarring – along with addressing the severe emotional distress the child has experienced.
Germs are spread from dogs to people through bites. Some of these diseases can be fatal, most notably, rabies. But rabies is only one of the serious secondary risks of dog bites. They include:
While the law in the state of Wisconsin was written to protect residents against dog attacks, these cases can be complex to resolve. With the help of the trial lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C., your dog bite injury case will be managed by one of our skilled Wisconsin personal injury attorneys.
Our goal is to recover the maximum in compensation for you. We take on Racine dog bite injury cases on a contingency fee basis – you owe us no legal fees unless we are successful. Contact us for a free case consultation or call (262) 782-2700 for more information.
