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According to the old saying, a dog is a man’s best friend. However, some dogs could act aggressive and may act out. An angry or vicious dog may even bite and injure a person.
A Porter County dog bite lawyer could be able to help you if you suffered an injury from a dog. An accomplished attorney with experience dealing with dog bite injury cases could review the circumstances of your case to see what the best course of action is. If you decide to file a legal claim for compensation, they may be able to assist you in doing so and represent you in any court proceedings.
In Indiana, those who suffered injuries due to a dog bite have a maximum of two years to file or settle a legal claim to collect damages, according to Indiana Code §34-11-2-4. The types of damages an individual may collect vary from case to case but may include:
Although Indiana does not generally cap any of the above damages, the state does impose a limit for certain other damages. Anyone with questions about the different damages that may apply in their specific case can contact an experienced attorney for more information.
Most of the time, a lawsuit involving a dog bite injury may include a claim of negligence. For example, the plaintiff could assert that the dog owner was negligent in taking care of the dog and that this failure resulted in the dog biting the plaintiff. To succeed on a negligence claim, a plaintiff must usually prove:
Whether a dog owner acted reasonably with respect to their dog may be an important issue in any dog bite injury case. Thus, those considering filing a lawsuit due to their dog bite injury may benefit from consulting a Porter County dog bite lawyer before filing a claim.
Indiana also has a specific dog bite statute for those that have been bitten while performing a legal duty. Under this statute, the dog owner is liable for damages even if they never witnessed the dog exhibiting vicious behavior. According to I.C. §15-20-1-3, a dog owner is automatically liable if their dog bites a person without provocation and that person is acting peacefully.
Although dogs and people generally get along, sometimes dog bites happen. When they do, you may be wondering whether there is anything you can do to recover compensation for out-of-pocket expenses.
Fortunately, a Porter County dog bite lawyer may be able to help. They could provide you with the resources you need to decide whether a legal claim is in your best interest. They may also be able to assist you in filing a lawsuit and ensuring you obtain the best possible outcome. If a dog bit you and caused an injury, explore all your legal options. Contact a Porter County dog bite lawyer today.