Pets can be a joy to their owners. But when dogs act out of fear or self-defense, dog bite injuries follow. In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are over 4.7 million dog bite victims in this country each year. Mail carrier and child injuries are most common when it comes to dog bite injuries, which can result in disfigurement, catastrophic injury and even death. Here are answers to your frequently asked questions about dog bite injuries.
What breeds are prone to dog bites?
While any breed can bite, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Alaskan Malamutes and huskies are known to bite more often than other breeds.
Who is at risk for dog bites?
The two groups of individuals at the highest risk for dog bite injuries include children and mail carriers. Children are at significant risk because their natural curiosity and lack of experience means that they are quick to pet or approach even unfriendly animals. Their erratic and unpredictable behavior can be unsettling for a dog who is not properly socialized. Unfortunately, their small stature also means that they are less able to defend themselves against a biting dog. Children sustain an average of 20 out of every 25 dog bites in this country each year. Mail carriers are also at risk from aggressive dogs who feel as if their “home turf” is being invaded. According to the CDC, over 3,000 mail carriers will sustain a dog bite injury each year.
Who is responsible for dog bite injuries?
The answer to this question depends on the injury and the state in which it occurred. 18 out of 50 states have a “one-bite law” in place which shields dog owners for their dog’s first biting injury. However, the other 32 states do not recognize one-bite liability and hold dog owners responsible the first time their dog bites a human. Generally, a dog owner can be found liable for a dog bite injury if it is proven that he or she owns the dog in question, that the dog bit the claimant, that the claimant was not trespassing on the dog owner’s premises, and that the bite caused injury to the claimant.
I sustained a dog bite injury. What are my rights?
Dog bite injuries are covered by various local ordinances and state laws, and the time you have in which to file a dog bite lawsuit begins running out the second you are injured. That’s why it’s a good idea to seek an experienced Baltimore dog bite attorney like the lawyers at the Law Offices of Steven H. Heisler. Steve Heisler and his expert legal team specialize in representing victims of personal injuries, including dog bite cases. Contact Steven H. Heisler today for more information on whether you could collect compensation for your dog bite injury claim.
Attorney Steve Heisler
Steve Heisler decided in 1996 that he was going to focus his law practice exclusively on injury cases. Since then, he has been representing injured people against insurance companies, disreputable medical practitioners and Big Pharma, and doing it with compassion, honesty and level-headed rationality. [ Attorney Bio ]
