Being bitten by a dog can be terrifying. Not only could you have severe injuries, but a dog bite can leave emotional scars as well, which may last a long time. In the aftermath of a dog bite, you may have high medical bills or miss a lot of work, which adds financial stress and emotional distress to an already difficult situation. However, you might be entitled to compensation from the dog’s owner for your injuries. At the law firm of Turbak Law Office, P.C., a caring Watertown dog bite lawyer who has worked with dog bite victims for over 40 years, we know your situation well.
If a dog has bitten you or a family member, you have rights. We can help ease your stress by taking over the legal and financial compensation issues. We can help you concentrate on recovering from your injuries. Call Turbak Law Office, P.C. today at 605-886-8361 or contact us online for a free consultation about your options for pursuing compensation.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
Injuries from dog bite cases can range from mild to severe and can be physical and emotional. Some of the more common injuries resulting from dog bites are:
- Puncture Wounds — When a dog sinks their teeth into human flesh, they can leave deep puncture wounds. The injuries can be more severe if they occur near a bone. Puncture wounds can lead to infection.
- Lacerations — When dogs bite you, they naturally shake their head, which could lead to skin lacerations. Lacerations are deep cuts, and dog bite lacerations are often jagged. Severe lacerations may require stitches.
- Rabies — Rabies is a viral disease that affects a dog’s nervous system. If you are bitten by a dog with rabies, the virus can transfer to you through the dog’s saliva. Rabies vaccines are widely available today. Check to determine whether the dog that bit you was vaccinated.
- Nerve Damage — The severity of nerve damage caused by dog bites depends on where on your body you are bitten. Dog bites can cause severed nerves, compression nerve injuries, and infection-induced nerve damage. Medication is usually utilized to treat nerve damage. However, severe nerve damage can be permanent.
- Disfigurement and Scarring — Deep dog bites can cause disfigurement and scarring, which can take an emotional toll on the victim. This may include bites to the face. The injured person may require surgery and physical therapy to heal the results of the bite.
- Emotional Issues — Dog bites can cause severe emotional issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may need years of therapy. A person can suffer depression and anxiety after a scary dog bite incident.
What To Do After A Dog Bite
Dog owners can take specific steps after sustaining injuries from dog bites. Following these steps can help protect your ability to file a claim against the dog’s owner:
- Identify the Dog’s Owner — Find out who owns the dog and get their contact information and proof that the dog has had their rabies vaccine. This contact information will be vital.
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you think the dog bite is not severe, seek medical treatment immediately. A doctor can examine you, treat your injuries, and prescribe medication for infection prevention. The medical record from your visit to the doctor can create a link between your injuries and the dog bite and provide proof of the extent of your injuries for your dog bite claim.
- File a Report with the Police — You should also contact the local authorities and file a report. If this is not the first time the dog has attacked someone, you could file a personal injury claim against the owner.
- Document Your Injuries — You should take pictures of all the injuries you sustained after the dog bite and take more pictures as the days and weeks progress. Begin a journal to document your pain levels daily and note how the bite injury affects your ability to perform your daily activities.
- Contact a Watertown Dog Bites Attorney — An experienced dog bite attorney can discuss your injuries and possible means of obtaining compensation from the dog’s owner or to the insurance company.
How a Watertown Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
When a dog in South Dakota bites you, if the dog has a history of biting others, you could pursue compensation from the dog’s owner. Dog bite claims are personal injury claims, and such incidents may be compensable accidents under the law.
If the owner was careless in controlling their dog, they can be held liable for a dog bite. South Dakota is a “one bite rule” state. That means the dog owner may not be liable if this was the first time the dog bit someone. Because of this and other various laws and intricacies involved in pursuing compensation for a dog bite, engaging a lawyer is the best way to make the most of your claim.
What Can a Watertown Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do?
A seasoned dog bite lawyer can:
- Evaluate your claim — Your Watertown dog bite lawyer will meet with you to gather all the facts surrounding the dog bite and determine whether you have a potential claim against the owner.
- Investigate your case — Your lawyer will review the circumstances of your case, examine your medical records, and research whether the dog has a previous biting history and whether the dog owner or a person who was in charge of the dog at the time of the bite is liable.
- File a claim — If your claim is compensable, your lawyer may file a claim with the at-fault party’s homeowners or renters insurance if their policy has a dog bite clause. If not, they will enter into negotiations with the dog’s owner to try to reach a settlement that covers all your bite-related losses.
- Communicate with insurers and lawyers — Your lawyer will handle any communications with the insurance company or their lawyers. These conversations could include settlement negotiations.
- File a lawsuit — If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Compensation From Your Dog Bite Injuries
You might qualify for compensation if you’ve experienced the following:
- Medical Expenses — This includes medical bills, prescription costs, follow-up appointments like physical or occupational therapy, and even reimbursement for travel to and from appointments.
- Lost Wages — Your dog’s bite injuries may cause you to miss work. You can receive compensation for lost wages.
- Pain and Suffering — You could receive compensation for the physical and emotional pain you suffered due to the dog bite. Additionally, this category can also include loss of consortium or loss of enjoyment of daily life.
The Watertown Dog Bite Lawyers at Turbak Law Office, P.C. Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions
Many clients come into our offices with questions. We’ve answered some of those we hear most often to give you information about filing a personal injury claim.
How long do I have to file a claim in South Dakota?
South Dakota’s statute of limitations allows three years from the date of the dog bite for the injured person to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. If you miss filing your lawsuit by the deadline, the court might dismiss your case without even hearing it. You’ll also lose your opportunity to pursue compensation in court.
How long will my case last?
The duration of your case depends on the severity of your personal injuries. This can vary whether the case is disputed, how long it takes you to heal, and whether your case goes to trial. Some claims are settled within a few months, while others could take a year or two. Additionally, this is especially true if the case goes to trial.
I was contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company with a settlement offer. What should I do?
You should refer them to your dog bite attorney. Don’t accept their offer. The insurance company is trying to settle your case for less than it is worth by making an early offer. Let your attorney negotiate for an amount that will cover all your injuries and losses.
Do I need a lawyer for my dog bite claim?
Technically, no. However, hiring an experienced Watertown dog bite lawyer will increase your chances of getting a positive outcome for your case. A lawyer knows the nuances of legal process and negotiation with insurance companies. We also have strategies to combat the insurer’s tactics for denying or undervaluing claims.
How will my Watertown dog bite lawyer be paid?
At Turbak Law Office, P.C., we work on a contingency basis. Consequently, that means you pay nothing upfront. If you are compensated for your injuries, we collect a fee. We get a percentage of your total compensation. If you don’t get paid for your injuries, neither do we.
Contact a Watertown Dog Bite Lawyer at Turbak Law Office, P.C. Today for a Free Consultation
Our law firm has been in business since 1982. Consequently, our team has built a reputation in Watertown for being a caring firm that can be aggressive when we need to fight for our rights. U.S. News & World Report has included our firm in the “Best Law Firms in South Dakota,” and Martindale-Hubbell has given us an “AV” rating. At Turbak Law Office, P.C., our dog bite lawyer in Watertown can keep up with all new developments in the law that impact our clients. Contact us online or call 605-886-8361 for a free case evaluation and consultation today about your options for getting fair compensation after a dog bite.