Dog Attacks and Lawsuit Case Examples...

There is always a case to be made if a dog owner violates confinement laws or knowingly harbors a dangerous animal.

In a dog attack case, the burden of liability must be proven. This starts with the victim identifying the dog that bit them and the dog's owner or responsible party. Most cities and counties require dogs to have some sort of identification on them, including the owner's contact information.

Always go to a doctor in the case of a dog bite. There is risk of infection, disease, and even death from untreated animal bites. Have the doctor take photos of the injured area for evidence.

If possible, you should also take photographs of the dog in question and the scene of the incident. Report the incident, its location, and the dog to local animal control. Also get the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Most dog bite lawsuits are settled by insurance companies out of court (these cases are often handled through the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy). If you do need to file suit, finding an attorney with a track record in dog attack cases can significantly help, even if the case never makes it to court.

If the case does go to court, you must prove the owner knew about the dog's aggressive tendencies (though the required proof can vary from state to state).

Some states maintain a dog's owner has strict liability. This means the owner is liable for any attack regardless of whether or not the owner knew the dog was dangerous. In states without this standard, it has to be proven that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

It is also possible for a valid defense of the owner to lie in contributory negligence. A person who climbs over the fence into a dog pen and gets bitten is assumed to have contributed to the incident and may have partial (or even full) liability for their own injury if the dog attacks. Provocation of the animal can also a complicating factor.

Dog Attack Case Studies:

Postman Dog Attack Victim - This case deals with legal issues involved in dog attack and dog bite cases. Some states view these cases as strict liability and some have the "one bite rule." If there is no actual bite but someone is injured, it can be viewed as a negligence case.

Read the following real life case examples to better understand the legalities of dog attacks:

Dog Bite Case Where Plaintiff Sustains Multiple Facial Wounds - In this dog bite case the plaintiff attempts to collect damages for severe facial wounds and puncture wounds as the result of an unexpected dog bite at a cafe.

Dog Bite Claim Where a Dog Bit a Woman at an Adoption Center -In this dog bite claim, the plaintiff seeks damages for serious injuries after a dog she had considered adopting attacked her. No prior history of aggressive behavior was not a valid defense in this case.

Dog Bite Injury Claim Where a Boy is Attacked by a Rottweiler - In this dog bite injury claim the plaintiff is seeking damages for injuries sustained after being attacked by a neighbor's Rottweiler.

Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Seeks Damages - In this court case the plaintiff and her dog bite injury lawyer are seeking damages for serious bodily injury after she was attacked by her employer's guard dog.

Dog Bite Settlement Case Dealing with the Defendant's Homeowners Insurance Policy - In this dog bite settlement case the plaintiff is seeking damages for being bitten while at the home of a friend. There is a dispute regarding the contingency fee agreement between the plaintiff and her attorney.