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You cannot change the fact that someone else’s dog bit you. However, you may be able to hire a Providence personal injury lawyer to represent you in a premises liability case against a negligent pet owner. With legal help, you can secure damages you can use to recover from your injury.
If you want to partner with a Providence dog bite lawyer, help is available. At Gemma Law Associates, Inc., we will put our decades of personal injury case experience to work for you. To learn more, reach out to us.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Attack
You may be worried that reporting a dog bite attack may force the animal to be put down. Following an attack, you may want to get medical care and report the incident to the City of Providence Animal Control. This helps prevent your injury from getting any worse and allows Animal Control to investigate the incident.
Just because you notify Animal Control about a dog attack does not mean any harm will come to the pet. Animal Control personnel can answer frequently asked questions and any other questions you may have about what will happen once you report an attack. They may keep you up to date as they review your attack and find out why it happened.
Along with these things, it may be beneficial to consult with a Providence dog bite attorney. The legal team at Gemma Law Associates, Inc. can take a look at your case and go over your legal options with you. For more information, get in touch with us.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving ProvidenceCall 401.467.2300
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite
Insurance companies may provide liability and safety tips for dog owners. If a dog attacks you, the animal will not be held responsible for any harm you suffer. Instead, the pet’s owner may be at fault.
It is reasonable to expect a dog owner to watch their pet. If this individual chooses not to do so, their animal may attack you. At this point, the owner may be considered negligent.
To prove negligence in a dog bite accident case, you are responsible for showing a pet owner had a duty of care to act in a cautious manner toward you. In addition, you must verify the owner violated this legal obligation, which led to the attack. You must also confirm that you are dealing with quantifiable or subjective losses due to the owner’s actions.
Providence Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
Dog Bite Accident Damages
You may request economic and non-economic damages relating to a dog bite accident. A judge or jury may award economic damages for losses you can quantify and non-economic compensation for subjective harm. Damages you may receive in a dog bite accident case include:
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
A dog bite attorney in Providence may help you calculate your damages. From here, they may look for ways to show you are in no way at fault for your dog bite injury. If they succeed, your lawyer may be able to build an argument that allows you to achieve your desired case results.
Dog Bite Injury Claim Statute of Limitations
Per Rhode Island General Laws §9-1-14, there is a three-year statute of limitations for submitting a personal injury claim. Based on this, you may have up to three years from the date of your dog bite injury to seek damages from an at-fault party. If you do not file a claim within this time frame, you may be 100% responsible for your injury-related losses.
You may request compensation from a dog owner’s insurance provider. This individual may have coverage for dog bite injuries under their homeowners or renters insurance policy. Even if they do, there is no guarantee their insurer will pay out your claim.
An insurance company may do everything it can to dispute your request for damages. It may challenge your claim to the point where you may be ready to give up on it. Regardless, you can work with an attorney who may be able to help you secure the damages you want.
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Comparative Fault in a Dog Bite Accident Case
The defendant in your case may claim you were partly at fault for your dog bite injury. They may gather evidence to support their case. This may help the defendant compel a judge or jury to rule in their favor, which may hurt your chances of getting damages.
In Rhode Island, a pure comparative negligence statute is in effect. You may share responsibility for your dog bite injury. Conversely, you may only secure a portion of the damages you originally requested based on your percentage of fault.
For instance, a judge or jury may find you are 10% responsible for your dog bite injury. If this happens, you may receive 90% of the damages you initially pursued. In a case where you are determined to be 99% at fault, you may still get 1% of the damages you requested.
Dog Bite Accident Settlement
A dog bite lawyer in Providence can answer common questions about personal injury cases, including those relating to settlement offers. The defendant in your dog bite case may propose a settlement before your trial date. If you approve the offer, you may get compensation and close your case without having to go to trial.
If you receive a settlement proposal, you may want to discuss it with your attorney. There are times when the defendant or their insurer may submit a lowball settlement. If you consent to this proposal, you risk accepting far less in damages than what your case is actually worth.
When you discuss a settlement offer with your lawyer, you can get honest and unbiased insights into all the proposal entails. If your attorney believes declining an offer is in your best interests, they will let you know. They can explain their reasoning and help you make an informed decision regarding an offer.
Get Legal Help from a Providence Dog Bite Lawyer
You do not have to go through the process of filing a claim for compensation due to a dog bite injury on your own. The team at Gemma Law Associates, Inc. can help you submit your request for damages and protect your legal rights throughout your litigation. To schedule a free consultation with our Providence dog bite attorney, contact us today.
Call or text 401.467.2300 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
