Written by Keith V. Trantolo
D.M. Avon, CT
If you suffered injuries from a dog bite, you might be entitled to receive a settlement to cover your medical expenses, lost earnings, pain, and suffering, and other losses. Most dog owners purchase insurance to cover claims if their dog bites someone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo do not charge you any fees until we recover a settlement for your injuries. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case and advise you on what you might be entitled to. Call us or fill our online contact form to speak with one of our experienced dog bite attorneys today.
Dog Bite? What You Should Know
Pets can be wonderful additions to a home, but when an animal causes personal injury—usually a dog bite—its owner might be legally responsible. If you or someone you know has been injured by a dog or other pet, you could be entitled to compensation. Under the right circumstances, homeowner’s insurance can be held liable to cover damages resulting from dog bites and other pet-related injuries, such as falls caused by an out-of-control animal. Handling the insurance company to obtain full compensation, however, requires a dog bite lawyer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year. Of them, nearly 825,000 dog bites are severe enough to require medical attention.
In addition to medical expenses and long-term physical effects like scarring or disfigurement, dog attack victims can suffer serious emotional effects. Dog bites can be particularly harmful to children, who are prone to being bitten in the face—resulting in life-long scarring.
Yet, out of the total 4.5 million annually, just one percent of all Americans bit or attacked by a dog receive any compensation. Depending upon severity, the injury could result in time away from work, and thus lost income or future earnings, current and long-term medical bills, and pain and suffering. Unless an experienced dog bite lawyer is involved, insurance adjusters tend to estimate just 10 to 20 percent of the total amount a victim should receive.
Catastrophic Dog Bite Injuries
- Facial Scarring After a Dog Bite
- Infection After a Dog Bite
- Serious Infection Leading to Amputation After Dog Bite Accident
- Stitches After a Dog Bite Accident
- Bleeding Out After a Dog Bite
- Death From Dog Bite Accident
What Can be Done to Prevent Dog Bites?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dog owners can take the following steps:
- Socialization with other dogs, animals and people
- Proper training, neutering and regular exercise
We are dog lovers too, but it’s important to remember that unfamiliar dogs may not be used to
strangers. Without the owner’s permission, it can be unsafe to approach a dog, including when it is:
- Sleeping or resting with puppies
- Playing with a toy
- Barking or growling
- Not with its owner
To speak with one of our experienced dog bite attorneys, contact Trantolo & Trantolo today. Our lawyers
will discuss your case and help determine your next steps.
When Does a Dog Bite Claim Arise?
A dog bite claim can arise when a dog closes its mouth around any part of a person’s body. Dog bites usually tear the victim’s skin and can result in deep lacerations that leave undesirable scars. However, even if a bite does not break the skin or cause external bleeding, it can cause internal injuries such as damaged nerves, torn muscles, and crushed bones. Additionally, dog bites often result in emotional suffering, which can have long-term consequences. Scarring is often an unwelcome and constant reminder of the attack, which can cause mental anguish.
Other common injuries from dog bites include:
- Bruising, cuts, and abrasions
- Infections
- Broken bones
- Scarring
- Amputations
- Rabies
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Anxiety and depression
- Fear of dogs
- Wrongful death
- And more
Dog bite injuries can require costly and lengthy medical treatment. Stitches and surgeries are commonly needed to repair the damage, and plastic surgery can be necessary to reduce scarring on the face or other prominent areas. Other injuries can cause broken bones and permanent muscle or tissue damage, all of which can require extensive surgeries and ongoing treatments. Mental and emotional injuries such as anxiety, depression, phobias Cynophobiais an extreme fear of dogs., and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also require long-term treatment. Children are particularly vulnerable to suffering from lasting mental injuries from dog attacks. The dog bite lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your suffering.
How Much Can I Get for my Dog Bite Claim?
If the CT dog bite attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo successfully recover a settlement for your injuries, you could be compensated for losses such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, and more.
Who is Liable for my Injuries?
If a dog bites someone, either the owner or the owner’s insurance company is responsible for paying the victim for their injuries. Third parties can also be accountable in some cases. For example, a landlord can be liable for a dog bite if they allowed a tenant to own a dangerous dog. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo can advise you on who might be liable for your dog bite injuries.
What Should I Do if a Dog Bites Me?
If a dog bites you or a loved one, the first step is to collect as much information as possible about the dog’s owner, including their name, phone number, and address. Speak to anyone who may have witnessed the attack and gather their information as well. Next, take photographs of the attack site and your injuries. Make a detailed record of the incident. Be sure to seek medical attention immediately and alert your doctor that a dog bit you.
Our Largest Dog Bite Settlements
Trantolo & Trantolo has over 80 years of experience representing dog bite victims. Our attorneys have secured settlements as large as $750,000! Explore our most impressive awards for dog bite clients.
Several Of Our Dog Bite Lawsuit Results
| Award Amount | Type of Case |
|---|---|
| $750,000 | A dog attacked a child while riding his bicycle. The child was dragged to the ground and bit on the arm and head, requiring surgery. |
| $422,018 | Client was bitten by two dogs. This attack resulted in our client having significant injuries which required surgeries and the need for physical therapy. |
| $333,333 | Client attacked by a tenant’s dog on common area of property resulting in trauma and hand injury. |
| $300,000 | A dog attacked a child and bit him on his thigh. The child suffered emotional trauma and needed surgery for his injury. |
| $300,000 | A dog ran across a yard and collided with our client, who was standing. Our client fell to the ground and injured his leg, which required surgery. |
| $290,000 | A dog attacked our client while she was riding her horse. The startled horse threw the rider to the ground, causing significant injuries that required surgery and left scars. |
| $275,000 | A dog bit our client in the face while she was visiting at her neighbor’s home. Our client was hospitalized and suffered scarring from the bite. |
| $175,000 | An unleashed dog attacked our client and bit his leg while he was walking on an outdoor track. The bite caused several lacerations, which required surgery to repair. |
What is the Legal Fee?
The standard fee for dog bite cases is ⅓ of your award. We do not take any fees unless and until you receive a settlement. We cover any up-front costs associated with your claim, such as investigating your case and hiring experts to prove your losses.
Why Hire Us?
Our personal injury lawyers have over 80 years of experience helping dog bite victims get compensation for their injuries. If you suffered an injury from a dog bite, you should contact the experienced attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo. We do not charge you any fees unless we recover a settlement for your injuries. Call us today or fill out our simple online contact form to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
