Should I Hire A Lawyer If A Dog Bites Or Attacks Me?

Be informed, know the law, and protect yourself and others from potentially fatal dog bites.

Hiring a Lawyer after a Dog Bite in St George, Utah

Not all dog bites elicit medical attention, but such attacks should still be reported. You may be eligible for compensation depending on the nature of the attack and its consequences.
If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, don’t wait to report the incident and seek the counsel of a Utah lawyer with experience in dog bite cases. Such cases possess a statute of limitations, meaning once a certain duration of time has elapsed, the case will no longer be viable in court.
A Utah attorney will have the experience needed to review your case and quickly settle your claim should it warrant legal action. If you’ve suffered harm from a dog attack, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical care, damages, and trauma.

Reporting Incidents of
Dog Bites

Whether fatal or not, it’s of critical importance to report all instances of dog bites or attacks to the proper authorities. Your local animal control department will record such incidents and be able to determine if a dog is likely to cause further harm to people based on an assessment of the situation and previous offenses.
If the dog has been previously reported for biting or attacking, the owner may be held liable or criminally charged for knowingly endangering the public. Depending on state and local law, if a dog is on record for three or more instances of biting or attacking a person, the dog may be seized for impoundment or euthanization.
Reporting these events may seem extreme in some cases, but is necessary for providing documentation that may help to protect others from future attacks. A dog that has bitten an adult may have not caused fatal harm, but the same attack could be detrimental to a small child.
Once a dog has been reported for violent behavior, the owner is more likely to instigate precautions such as command training, secure kennels, chains, fences, shock collars, etc. The best way to prevent further dog bite attacks and fatalities is to report all instances of dangerous dog behavior.

Seeking Medical Care after a
Dog Bite Attack

While it can be difficult to know the extent of your injuries immediately following a canine attack, if you have been seriously injured, mauled, or bitten, it’s a good idea to immediately seek medical attention. The bite may otherwise become infected, especially if the dog has been exposed to rabies or other diseases.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, further complications may arise if medical care is not administered promptly. Your medical expenses will likely be covered in the event of a dog attack, assuming the owner can be identified.
More than half of all dog attacks that occur each year in the U.S. happen on the property where the dog lives. When this happens, it’s extremely easy to identify the responsible party. In some cases, the owner may offer to pay an agreed-upon amount out of pocket, rather than going through insurance claims. However, if a dog bite or attack is more serious, it is best to consult an experienced Utah dog bite lawyer to ensure you will be fully compensated for future medical expenses.