A dog bite or attack can cause serious injuries, often requiring immediate medical care. If someone’s dog bites you or a loved one, you may have the right to take legal action and recover compensation. The Stamford personal injury lawyers at Wofsey Rosen can help ensure you know what to do after a dog bite in Connecticut.
1. Get to Safety Right Away
The first step is to get away from the animal if you can and move somewhere safe, like inside a building or car, or behind a fence. If the animal won’t let go, you or another person may need to distract it or fight back to convince it to release you.
2. Get Medical Care Immediately
Depending on the severity of the bite, start by washing it with mild soap and warm water or calling 911 if the circumstances warrant immediate treatment. In less serious cases, drive yourself or the dog bite victim to the emergency room for treatment if you are able.
3. Collect Evidence Showing What Happened
Gathering evidence might be something you can do promptly if the injury is less serious, but in severe bite cases, don’t worry about doing so until later. If you’re safe and not badly injured, but still near the animal, photograph it and try to capture any identifying information on its collar.
Take photos of your injuries, the dog’s fencing or kennel, and anything else that illustrates the circumstances leading to the bite or attack. If the owner has restrained the dog, exchange insurance and contact information in case you decide to file a claim.
Also be sure to keep copies of your medical records and bills from any treatment to share with your attorney.
4. Report the Bite to Authorities
Contact the local police or Animal Control Officer (AOC) in your area to report the bite. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-358, you must report the injury within 24 hours and doing so helps Animal Control locate and secure the dog to prevent further harm and test it for rabies.
The report is a crucial step to support your claim against the owner since it comes from an official source. The police or AOC will also diligently investigate the circumstances surrounding the bite to determine whether any reckless or criminal conduct occurred, and your personal injury lawyer will use the findings to bolster your case.
Connecticut Holds Dog Owners Strictly Liable for Bites
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357, any person whose dog bites or otherwise harms another individual is strictly liable for the injuries. According to Cornell Law School, strict liability in civil cases (tort law) means that the owner is responsible for the harm regardless of whether he or she was careless in controlling the animal. Furthermore, under strict liability, the injured party does not need to prove that the dog owner knew or should have known that the animal had a propensity toward aggressiveness, although that detail can strengthen a claim when negotiating with the insurance company.
Dog bite claims go against the owner’s home or renter’s insurance policy since the dog is considered property. This is true even if the bite happened on public property away from the dog’s home.
The Connecticut Dog Bite Injury Claim Process
After filing the report with authorities and getting medical care, it’s time to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Most offer free consultations, so you can get advice without cost. Once an attorney accepts your case, here are some of the ways your attorney can help you pursue fair compensation:
- Your lawyer will investigate the case, using any evidence you provide and gathering additional material to build your claim further.
- They can help you get a diagnosis and an estimate of future treatment costs from their network of medical specialists.
- Your attorney can review and demand all appropriate damages, including property damage, pain and suffering, and income loss.
- They can assist you in filing the insurance claim and negotiating a fair settlement while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
- If the insurance company won’t meet your demands, your lawyer can file a lawsuit to encourage a better offer and prepare your case for trial.
- Your attorney will represent you at all court hearings and appearances, litigating your case before a judge or jury to reach a favorable outcome.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit related to a dog bite is only two years from the date of the incident, so you should contact a reputable and experienced attorney right away to ensure he or she has ample time to investigate and craft your case for the greatest chance of success. If you wait too long and the deadline expires, you could lose your right to seek compensation.
Dog Bites Can Dramatically Affect Your Life
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Children are the most common victims, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that women are more likely to suffer serious injuries from dog bites.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) warns that dog bites and contact events can crush and damage bones, muscles, and nerves, as well as cause heavy bleeding. Dog bites can quickly lead to sepsis (infection) or rabies if the dog is infected. The Connecticut Department of Health reports that fewer than one percent of domestic animals in the state are rabid, but rabies is nonetheless a very serious diagnosis requiring immediate medical attention.
These injuries can cause lasting damage and pain. If the victim is particularly vulnerable, he or she may suffer permanent disability or even death and the animal’s owner should be held accountable for these significant losses under the law.
Let Wofsey Rosen Handle Your Connecticut Dog Bite Injury
You don’t have to manage all the details of a dog bite injury on your own. The skilled personal injury lawyers at Wofsey Rosen can help you understand your options after dealing with a traumatic event.
These cases can be challenging, but our team will work to resolve your case quickly and secure the resources you need to fully heal. Schedule a free consultation with us and learn more today.