Can I seek liability for a dog bite?

When pets are a part of people’s lives, they are responsible for taking care of that animal to the best of their ability. The pet should be fed, trained and played with in order to live a happy life. Since pets live in our homes, they become a part of our family. Because of this, we want to ensure their well-being. However, some people train their dogs improperly. Sometimes these dogs are trained to be vicious, which becomes a part of their temperament. This can lead to disastrous situations. Dogs can be aggressive toward other humans. If a dog has bitten you, you may be able to place liability on the dog’s owner.

In what situations can the owner be held liable?

Although a dog owner can be held responsible for their dog’s actions, this can require certain circumstances in incidents involving a dog bite. If a dog is known to have a history of violence, then the owner should have reasonably known about it. This may make the victim’s case easier to prove due to a previous history. Without a previous history of violence, the owner can still be held liable. If the dog bites someone off the owner’s property, was not properly restrained and was out of the owner’s control, then they can be held liable for the incident.

If a victim trespassed onto the owner’s property, a case may be harder to prove. When the dog is controlled on their owner’s property, the injured party will have to prove negligence. This can then lead you to seek damages for your injuries in the form of monetary compensation for your medical bills. If the victim somehow antagonized the dog or entered the property with the intent to commit a crime, they may not be able to prove liability.

How can I build my case?

For each case, it is important to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. Treatment can help make sure that the dog was given the proper veterinary care and does not have any other negative impact on you. This appointment can also provide documentation of your injuries. With this documentation, it helps to build your case by presenting the effect that the dog bite had on you. To build your case further, you should seek medical information about the dog. Also, information regarding the dog’s previous behavioral history could be useful as well.

For these cases, a professional attorney can assist you in gathering information for your case. We want to ensure that you are compensated for your injury.

Albers & Associates is comprised of experienced personal injury, criminal defense, and family law attorneys. Our firm is proud to serve clients in Baltimore, Maryland. If you require strong legal representation that will fight to protect your future, contact the attorneys at Albers & Associates to schedule a consultation.