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Dogs are, by far, the animals responsible for the most attacks against humans. Sadly, the victims of dog bites are commonly children. Children make up half of the victims of an estimated 4.5 million dog bites each year.
Serious dog bites cause real damage, and they force people to undergo medical procedures, experience serious pain and miss out on aspects of life as they recover.
You shouldn’t have to bear this pain and these financial expenses. Seeking compensation may be the best way to get your expenses covered and get into the best place to move on with life.
The Connecticut dog bite lawyers at The Flood Law Firm know how to build dog bite cases. If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog, we’d like to help you understand your options at no cost to you. You can call us at (877) 987-9LAW (877-987-9529) or fill out the form on this page.
The dog bite law in Connecticut grants victims fairly broad rights as it pertains to filing a lawsuit after injuries sustained from a dog attack. These rights are established in § 22-357(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes:
“If any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or, if the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for the amount of such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, was under seven years of age at the time such damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action. In an action under this section against a household member of a law enforcement officer to whom has been assigned a dog owned by a law enforcement agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state or the federal government for damage done by such dog, it shall be presumed that such household member is not a keeper of such dog and the burden of proof shall be upon the plaintiff to establish that such household member was a keeper of such dog and had exclusive control of such dog at the time such damage was sustained.”
Connecticut has a strict liability standard for dog bite claims. This means that the owner or keeper of the dog may be held liable even if negligence was not a factor in your injuries.
However, the right to file a lawsuit after a dog bite injury is not unlimited. Restrictions on the right to action under the Connecticut dog bite law include:
By law, children under the age of 7 are assumed not to be trespassing, committing a tort, and/or “teasing, tormenting or abusing” a dog for the purposes of bringing a claim after a dog bite injury. However, the defendant (i.e., the dog’s owner) can dispute liability by presenting evidence to the contrary.
Except in the circumstances described above, the owner of the dog is strictly liable for injuries caused by the dog. This is true even if the owner took all necessary precautions and regardless of whether the dog has never been aggressive before.
In the majority of cases, compensation for a dog bite is paid through the owner’s homeowners insurance or renters insurance. The insurance company will almost certainly dispute liability for the dog bite injury, usually by arguing that you provoked the attack.
As such, it is crucial to have a knowledgeable Connecticut dog bite attorney on your side. The Flood Law Firm is committed to protecting your rights and advocating for your best interests against the insurance company’s efforts to pay you as little as possible.
Dog bite injuries should always be taken seriously. Some of the most severe injuries that can occur in an encounter with a dog include:
Any dog bite that breaks the skin is cause for concern. Dogs’ mouths contain bacteria that can be extremely harmful to humans. Infection occurs in up to 15% of dog bite cases, and dog bites can also transmit serious diseases such as rabies, cellulitis, and more.
Fatalities can also occur as a result of a dog attack, with children accounting for the majority of victims who die as a result of bites and other injuries. If you and your family are facing this tragic situation, our attorneys can bring a wrongful death claim on your behalf.
Most personal injury claims settle out of court, and dog bite claims are no exception. However, before agreeing to a settlement, it is crucial to make sure the offer fairly compensates you for your injuries and losses.
The Connecticut dog bite attorneys at The Flood Law Firm know the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. We investigate and collect all pertinent evidence, including:
All of this evidence strengthens your claim and can help our dog bite lawyers negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Ultimately, our goal is to settle your case for the highest possible value. If the insurance company will not play fair, we will not hesitate to take them to court.
Unlike many other firms in the area, The Flood Law Firm frequently takes cases to trial. This reputation precedes us in settlement negotiations, with insurers frequently agreeing to settle our clients’ claim for more because they are aware of our experience trying – and winning – cases in the courtroom.
Dog owners are liable for damages in the event of a dog bite injury. The exact compensation you may be entitled to depends on the specific nature of your losses, as well as the severity of the harm you or your loved one has suffered.
Connecticut dog bite attorneys at The Flood Law Firm may be able to seek compensation for the following:
Hardships stemming from a dog bite injury can last for years or even the rest of the victim’s life. Given that children are at a particularly high risk for being bitten by dogs, young victims could have the entire course of their lives changed by an attack.
Our dog bite lawyers will account for all current and future damages in your case. In the event that a loved one dies as a result of a dog attack, our attorneys can pursue compensation by way of a wrongful death action for losses such as funeral and burial expenses, lost income, loss of household support and services, loss of consortium, and more.
What you do immediately after suffering a dog bite will have a major impact on both the prognosis for your injury as well as the potential success of your legal claim. Important steps to take after a dog bite injury include:
Of course, it may not be possible to handle these tasks on your own. The dog may be roaming at large, in which case you might be unable to obtain information about the owner and/or the dog at the time of the attack. Alternatively, if you are seriously injured by a dog, your number-one priority should be to receive medical care.
Regardless of the situation, you should contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. A dog bite injury lawyer can investigate the attack promptly, gather critical information and evidence you might not have obtained at the time, and start preparing your case.
People are often reluctant to speak to an attorney after a dog bite incident. Often, a dog belonging to a loved one, friend, or neighbor is involved. Even in cases of significant injury, victims might be hesitant to assert their legal rights against someone they know.
However, it is important to remember that the insurance company (not the owner of the dog) is generally the one that has to pay up after a dog bite injury. Any time an insurance company is involved, it is in your best interest to have a lawyer do the talking for you.
An experienced attorney will have detailed knowledge of Connecticut dog bite law and will be able to apply it to your case. Other major benefits of hiring a dog bite lawyer include:
If you or a member of your family has been bitten by a dog, it is important to have a thorough understanding of your legal rights. Before you decide not to pursue a claim or accept a quick settlement, you should talk to a Connecticut dog bite attorney at The Flood Law Firm.
We achieve superior outcomes for our clients because each member of our team is a “true believer” in our mission to hold defendants and insurance companies accountable for negligence and wrongdoing. Our results speak for themselves.
Connecticut Dog Bite Injury Lawyer, Brian Flood
If you or your child was attacked by a dog, we know you want to be able to put this whole ordeal behind you. The best way to do that may be to give us a call.
There is no cost and no obligation to speak with a Connecticut personal injury lawyer at The Flood Law Firm. We are a respected personal injury law firm that has successfully handled all kinds of cases on behalf of suffering families across Connecticut, including dog bite victims.
Give us a call at (877) 987-9LAW (877-987-9529) or contact us through the form on this page. We want to tell you how we can help.
“Above and beyond customer service. The entire staff is very professional and committed to excellence. I usually do not write reviews, but my experience working with Flood Law Firm exceeded my expectations.” – Evelyn B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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190 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
P: (860) 346-2695