Who Is Liable For A Dog Bite?
AmericanHumane Association dog bite statistics show that 800,000 dog bite victims require medical treatment each year. In many cases, those dog bite victims will hire a personal injury attorney or dog bite attorney to help them obtain money for their medical bills. In these cases, the issue of dog bite liability is a central one.
“Strict Liability” States
According to Rebecca Wisch of the Detroit College of Law, most states have enacted “strict liability” laws regarding dog bites. These states hold the dog owner responsible for dog bites and dog attacks, even if the dog owner had no previous knowledge that their dog would bite or become aggressive. However, dog owners are generally not held liable if the victim was abusing the dog in question. If you are unsure who is liable in your case discuss the details with a dog bite attorney or personal injury attorney.
Other Dog Bite Liability Laws
Those states that do not have “strict liability” laws often require that the owner had knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, according to Wisch. In these cases, the dog owner is found liable (or negligent) if he or she knew of the dog’s behavior and did nothing to prevent the dog attack.
If You Are Unsure of Your State’s Dog Bite Liability Laws
If you have questions about dog bite liability or dog biting laws in your state, a personal injury attorney or dog bite attorney is the best person to contact. Dog bite attorneys and personal injury attorneys deal with dog bites and dog attacks on a regular basis, and they can help you interpret the dog bite liability laws in your area. Some personal injury attorneys (often referred to as dog bite attorney) specialize in representing dog bite victims.