If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite or other animal attack, don’t leave your situation to chance. You may have lingering injuries and considerable medical costs after the event. Victims of these frightening circumstances deserve to receive the compensation to cover their losses, pain, and suffering.

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The Statistics, Fast Facts, and Need to Know Info About Dog Bites

How many dog bites happen in the US each Year?

• 4.7 million annually, with only about 800,000 resulting in medical care.

Who is most at risk for dog attacks?

• Children under 15 account for 44% of all dog attacks.
• Men are nearly twice as likely to be bitten as women.
• Individuals exhibiting high levels of anxious behavior increase their likelihood of being attacked.

What are most common injuries?

• Cuts, Scratches, Puncture wounds and Resulting Infection
• Bruising
• Broken or Fractured Bones
• Joint Injuries
• Eye, Face, Head and Neck Injuries
• Scarring
• Back Injuries
• Nerve Damage
• Emotional Damage

What are the treatments for dog bite injuries?

• Medication including vaccinations, antibiotics, and more
• Cleaning of wounds and stitches
• Casts, slings, and physical therapy for broken bones
• Bed rest for head, neck, back injuries and general recovery
• Surgery

Are certain dogs more dangerous than others?

• Certain breeds get a reputation for aggression, however the manner in which humans have interacted with a dog are more responsible for their behavior than breed type. The most dog attacks by breed in order are: Labrador retrievers, Pit bulls, German shepherds, Rottweilers and Chows.

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What are zoonoses and should I be concerned?

Zoonoses are diseases that can be passed to humans by animals. After being bitten by a dog that you know, or especially one that you don’t know, seek medical attention to rule out the transference of any dangerous bacteria or disease.

Zoonoses that travel from dogs to humans include:

• Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
• Dog Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum)
• Hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala)
• Rabies
• Roundworm (Toxocara) toxocariasis
• Brucellosis
• Capnocytophaga
• Cryptospoidiosis
• Echinococcosis
• Ehrilochiosis
• Giardiasis
• Leighmaniasis
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme Disease
• MRSA
• Pasteurellosis
• Plague
• Ringworm
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Rat bite fever
• Salmonellosis
• Sarcoptic Mange
• Tetanus

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What Happens After a Dog or Other Animal Attack?

In the immediate aftermath of the attack it’s understandable that you may be extremely overwhelmed. With that understood, it is critically important to be sure you seek medical treatment, call the proper authorities, and contact an experienced dog bite attorney to advise you in how to proceed.

First – Seek safety at the scene.

Either move away to a safe nearby location apart from the animal or have the responsible party for the animal restrain it securely. Take care of yourself in the immediate aftermath and put space between yourself and the animal so you feel safe, while remaining near the scene to cooperate with emergency response.

Second – Call the Proper Authorities.

After an animal attack, call the police. Once the police arrive and are taking the report, they will engage animal control and other agencies as needed. Of course, if injuries are very severe, call 911 for help from both police and emergency medical services (EMS). Fast and expert medical help can make all the difference in a successful recovery after a serious dog bite.

Third – Call an Expert Dog Bite Lawyer.

Children are not the only victims who need help and representation by legal counsel after an attack, adults too should seek legal resources to help on their path to recovery and just compensation for the event.

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Who is Liable or At-Fault for Dog Attacks?

An important part of an animal bite attorney’s work is determining liability for the incident. Examples of at-fault parties in the case of dog bites include:

• The dog owner (including parents of a minor dog owner)
• Landlord / Property Owner of the location where the incident occurred
• Commercial Company responsible for the space where the incident occurred
• Security Company responsible for the safety of a given premises
• Kennel owners
• Dog walkers

How is a Dog Bite Claim Settled?

A dog bite attack claim can be settled either pre-trial, in negotiations or mediations between the involved parties without going to court, or the claim can be resolved as a court case. Either situation has associated pros and cons, and your qualified attorney can advise you of the best course of action, while also respecting your wishes in how you want to proceed.

Settling Out of Court:

Positives for this path to resolution include a faster process, a sense of closure, certainty around the specifics of your compensation for damages, pain and suffering, greater confidentiality, and fees and expenses of this process are typically lower.

Going to Court:

Positives for this path include the possibility of greater satisfaction in winning a case, and a chance at a larger award. Negatives for this path include the risk of the jury siding against you, a more prolonged process, and typically higher fees and expenses.

In either case, Thompson Law has experience in advocating for victims of animal attacks. Plus, Lion Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are not paid a dime unless and until they win for you in either of the above scenarios.

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Who Pays the Settlement that is Awarded to the Dog Attack Victim?

The liable parties individually, their insurance provider(s) or a combination of insurance coverage and at-fault individuals will be responsible for paying the settlement costs. Specific pet insurance exists, though many homeowners or other property insurance policies cover the animals in that space. Working with an experienced dog bite lawyer will result in a clear and systematic process to reach these settlement payouts for your case.

What Does the Settlement Cover?

In either the case of a settlement out of court or a judgment in court, the awarded compensation is calculated and determined in order to cover the following types of costs you may have after a dog bite:

• Emotional Distress and Compensatory Costs
• Monies associated with permanent disability or disfigurement
• Payment for services you need to hire due to your injury impacting your ability to live a normal life
• Lost wages for time off work in recovery
• Replacement or repair of property damaged during the attack (i.e. pieces of clothing, your phone in your hand, etc.)
• Medical bills related to your dog bite injures
• And of course, other costs that may have accrued due to the specific events of your attack

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Preventing Dog Bites

The best way to avoid terrible injury and trauma from dog bites is to protect yourself and take precautions in your behavior and choices toward animals around you. Read tips on interacting with dogs, and of course, avoid wild animals. Take these measures yourself, and teach your children and others these safe behaviors as well. Resources from The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are also available for more information.

The Thompson Law Difference

If you have been injured in a dog bite attack, turn to Thompson Law for help and guidance. The experienced dog bite lawyers at Thompson Law have fought and won these cases before, and they understand the traumatic impact that these events can have on a person and their family. Don’t fight for your deserved compensation alone in cases of animal bites.

When your health and healing is at stake, it is so important to engage expert counsel to fight for your best interests. When it comes to standing up to irresponsible at-fault parties and nefarious insurance companies, our results speak for themselves. We take our responsibility to battle on behalf of our clients very seriously, and we are passionate about making sure you have the best possible outcome after your serious accident.

Reach out anytime 24/7/365 and see how Thompson Law can help you. Call us today in Dallas at 214-444-4444, in North Dallas at 972-444-4444, in the DFW Mid-Cities at 469-444-4444, or in Fort Worth at 817-444-4444.

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