Those who are bitten by a dog do have rights that they should be aware of so they can get compensation for any injuries they have sustained. As dog bites can range in severity from minor to deadly, it is important for the person to get medical care right away. Following that, they should make sure they work with a lawyer to uphold their legal rights and get any compensation they may be owed.
Civil Versus Criminal Laws
There are both civil and criminal laws that have to do with the legal rights of dog bite victims. Criminal laws are rarely used, as they are intended more for when the dog’s owner intentionally causes the dog to bite someone. If the bite was due to negligence, it would likely not fall under criminal laws and the dog’s owner will not be arrested. Civil laws, on the other hand, are the ones that cover compensation for the victim. The compensation is intended to make the person financially whole again after the incident, and the compensation is paid by the dog’s owner or their insurance company.
What is Strict Liability?
The determination of liability and whether the dog owner is required to pay compensation for the injuries can vary based on local laws. Most places today have strict liability, where the dog owner is responsible even if they weren’t negligent and didn’t cause the bite on purpose. However, there are some places where the victim will need to prove that the dog owner was negligent. It is important for the victim to learn more about the type of laws in their area to know if they have a case and can get compensation for the bite.
Determining Liability
If it is necessary to prove the dog’s owner was negligent, the victim will need to show that the dog owner could have prevented the bite, but did not. If the bite happened while the dog was loose and not on a leash, for instance, the dog owner might be liable if they knew the dog would possibly bite or they’re in an area where it is unlawful to walk a dog off-leash. If the dog has bitten someone before, it may be easier to prove liability if there were no steps taken to prevent another bite.
How Much Compensation for Victims
The amount of compensation the victim can receive will depend on a number of factors. Medical care for dog bites can be expensive, depending on the severity of the bite and whether the person needed to be admitted to the hospital as a result of the bite. It is important for the victim to obtain receipts or copies of medical bills for all care received after the bite. They should also save any receipts for anything related to the bite, as they may be able to receive compensation for those expenses, too.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, make sure you seek medical care right away, as dog bites can become infected and get much worse. Then, take the time to talk to a lawyer about your case to find out local laws and whether you can get compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses from the incident. They’ll walk you through everything to help you get the compensation you need.
