What’s the bottom line in an animal attack case?
If an animal has bitten you, you may be entitled to recover damages as a result of this injury. Determining your legal rights, however, can be complicated. It may be unclear who you should bring a claim against, and to what sort of damages you are entitled. To ensure that you receive just compensation, you […]
Who else can be held responsible for an animal attack?
Animal owners are not the only people who can be held responsible for animal bites. Here are a few common scenarios where someone other than an animal owner could be held liable for an animal bite:
Animal Keepers: Anyone who is responsible for the care or custody of an animal may be considered an owner or […]
What are an owner’s potential defenses in an animal attack case?
There are instances in which an owner of a vicious animal might not be held liable for an attack by the animal. For example, if the animal owner adequately warned other people that the animal was dangerous, and took measures to keep the animal away from people, a person who ignored the owner’s warnings and […]
Animal Attacks — An Overview
Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by animals. In fact, in 1994, over 4.7 million people were bitten by dogs alone. In many cases, a person bitten by an animal may have a legal right to recover damages from the animal’s owner or another responsible party.
What should you do if you are bitten by an animal?
The first thing you should do if you are bitten by an animal is to seek medical attention immediately. If you are not treated, an animal bite can cause serious injury and even death. Once you have been medically evaluated, you should also consider consulting with a lawyer experienced in animal bite cases. An attorney […]
What damages can you recover for an animal attack?
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries resulting from an animal attack, you may be entitled to recover for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Property damage.
In some instances, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish someone for his or her behavior. To justify an award of punitive damages, the wrongdoer’s […]
What is an owner’s liability for an animal attack?
If an animal bites you, the first thing to determine is: who is the owner of the animal? In most states, the owner of an animal can be held liable for the injuries it inflicts, provided that the owner knew (or had reason to know) that the animal had “dangerous propensities.”
In other words, if an […]