Dog Bite Issue?
Dog bite injury cases are notoriously difficult to win. While a dog bite might seem like a minor problem compared to more pressing concerns faced by people such as death, many people do not realize that a dog bite can turn into a much bigger problem if it results in permanent tissue damage and creates lasting or ongoing pain.
Unfortunately, because these cases are so challenging to prove, the courts often require victims to obtain compensation even when they are clearly innocent of any wrongdoing on the part of the person who was attacked. For example, in a dog bite case brought by someone who was severely injured, the court often requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual responsible for the attack was guilty of negligence. While animal rights activists would like to see this situation change, there is very little that can be done in the way of changing the current laws that govern dog bite lawsuits.
In order to increase the chances of winning a dog bite injury case, a victim should make sure that he or she has as much evidence as possible supporting the claim. For the most part, this evidence comes in the forms of pictures of the dog, a medical certificate detailing the extent of the damage, and police reports. While there may not be a strong law that addresses the issue of contributory negligence, dog owners are still held liable for the actions of their dogs. These laws pertain to both common law and strict liability, and can make a huge difference in the outcome of a case.
In many states, especially those where the dog bite injury laws are quite restrictive, victims may not be able to obtain compensation unless they can show that the owner of the dog responsible for the attack was aware of the risk of its bite causing harm. Unfortunately, in some states, the issue of contributory negligence is not addressed by the dog bite injury statute, which makes it easier for dog owners to receive compensation without addressing the issue of negligence at all. For dog bite injuries caused by other persons or animals, it may be necessary to file a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. This requires the filing of a civil claim with the help of an expereienced dog bite attorney, who will then take care of proving that you were injured in some way as a result of the other person's or animal's negligence. You should also be prepared to deal with the courts on a case-by-case basis, since the laws regarding dog bites and dog bite injuries are extremely confusing for most people.