Northwest Indiana Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Thousands of people are bitten by animals every year, and many of those injuries are caused by dogs. If you get bitten by someone’s dog, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. It is the duty of the dog owner to protect you and others from harm that may be caused by their dog. Before seeking compensation, however, you will need to prove that the animal’s owner is liable with the help of an experienced injury attorney.

The Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell offers dependable legal guidance for those who’ve been hurt because of someone’s negligence. We will ensure that you have the evidence you need and build your case to be strong enough to go to trial. Contact us to begin discussing the next steps at a free initial consultation.

Steps to Take If You Were Bitten By An Animal

If you were bitten by an animal, your first step should be to receive immediate medical attention. Delaying or skipping treatment can lead to significant injuries, infections, and possibly death if the animal was carrying a disease.

Injuries caused by a dog attack can include puncture wounds, lacerations, crush injuries, muscle strains and sprains, nerve damage, infections, and emotional trauma. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may need ongoing medical attention and have a disfigurement that impacts your quality of life. Some individuals, especially children, may also develop a fear of dogs and have trouble coping with the emotional stress.

Recovering Damages

Once you’ve received immediate care, it’s time to discuss the next steps with an attorney. Indiana has certain statutes regarding a dog owner’s liability in an injury case. The dog’s owner can be held liable if they were aware (or should have been aware) that the animal would likely bite or act aggressively.

Known as Indiana’s “One Bite” rule, the dog’s owner may be found liable even if the dog had no prior instances of acting aggressively. In this case, our team will work hard to show that the dog’s owner knew about the dog’s behavioral issues. The goal is to prove the other party’s negligence to prove that your injuries were the result of their failure to prevent the incident.

If you have been bitten in a public place or on the owner’s property after you have been invited in, you can recover damages related to your injuries. This includes medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In these cases, suits are either filed directly against the owner of the dog or filed against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. In either case, you should expect resistance. The owner of the dog or their insurance policy representative will do everything in their power to blame you for the attack. Your attorney will assist you by gathering the necessary documentation to prove their liability.

Contact an Experienced Attorney to Discuss Your Case

At the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell, we work extremely hard to provide you with the experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated representation you deserve to achieve the best possible compensation for your dog bite injury case. We pride ourselves on keeping you fully informed at every stage of your case, so if you were injured, contact us right away.