QUESTION
What should I do if a dog bit my son? How?
Asked on Jun 22nd, 2015 on Personal Injury - Montana
More details to this question:
My son was walking home yesterday and apparently one of the neighbor's dog bit him. The bite is pretty bad and deep. I do not think this dog should be allowed around but the neighbors said that the dog is a guard dog and my son must have started the fight. I do not believe that is right to have any animal attack a teenager. What should I do? Is this an insurance issue or can something more be done?
13 ANSWERS
Bankruptcy Attorney serving Madison, WI
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Richard B. Jacobson & Associates, LLC
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You could go to small claims court and seek damages for the medical care and for your son's pain and suffering. But that is not generally a good first step. It may be something your neighbour will refer to his insurance company, but that does not preclude a lawsuit although it would be best to draft a demand letter to your neighbour, setting forth all the facts and costs, and asking him to notify his insurer. If you get no satisfaction from that course, then you might want to sue. Does your municipality have an ordinance against letting dogs run loose? Good Luck.
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Ronald A. Steinberg
Get a lawyer.
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:56 AM
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney serving Syracuse, NY
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Andrew T. Velonis, P.C.
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There is some confustion here: "apparantly" one of the neighbor's dog bit him? Were there witnesses? How bad is "pretty bad"? Stitches? Skin grafts? You describe this as a "fight" and an "attack". Which was it? Go ahead and consult a local personal injury lawyer, consultations are free and you can get some guidance on how best to pursue.
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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I think you should hire a lawyer to represent your son's interests. Your son should be compensated for his injuries.
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 2:53 AM
You need to get the facts as to what happened. ?Guard dogs should be confined to a particular property; was your son on that property without permission? ?Was the dog chained or the area fenced? ?If the dog acted incorrectly, you can make a report to animal control. ?Does the owner of the dog have any insurance; if they are a renter and the building owner did not know of the dog, then it will probably be very difficult to collect anything.
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 2:34 AM
Employment Law Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
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Dordick Law Corporation
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The dog owner is strictly liable for the injury and must pay for medical expenses, and damages for pain, suffering and inconvenience. You can try to resolve on your own or hire an attorney
Answered on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 2:33 AM
You should contact the local animal control. You should also contact a personal injury attorney the owners are definitely responsible for the damages the animal caused to your son.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 4:54 PM
Thomas Edward Gates
First, you need to report the matter to animal control. Then you need to file a claim against the owner's home insurance company. Otherwise, you will need to sue him. Which in all event you will have to due to the injury received.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Edwin K. Niles
The dog owners are responsible. Ask if they have a homeowner's policy that includes liability coverage.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 4:00 PM
James Eugene Hasser
For the owner to be liable, you would have to show that the owner was on notice of the vicious propensity of the dog. Alabama has I one bite rule. The dog gets one "free" bite, after which, the owner is on notice of the vicious propensity of the animal. If the dog bites again there could be liability. Good luck.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 3:58 PM
There are personal injury lawyers who handle dog bite cases. Let me know if you need a referral in your area.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 3:58 PM
Personal Injury Law Attorney serving Naperville, IL
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Law Office of Barry R. Rabovsky
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To answer your question about what the options are with regard to the dog, can you describe what your son's injuries were and the medical treatment that he had?
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 3:48 PM
Plaintiff Animal Bites Attorney serving Missoula, MT
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Bulman Law Associates PLLC
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IMMEDIATELY call the Animal Control officer at the city or county government. The dog must be impounded immediately. Potential rabies infection means the dog must be caged or your son will have to endure long painful injections on the assumption he may have contracted rabies. Take some pictures of the bite for late use if your case needs a lawsuit. Call a lawyer and share the pictures you have.
Answered on Jun 22nd, 2015 at 3:47 PM