When you are suffering from a dog bite or attack, you need to protect yourself from the losses you are facing. Our Rhode Island dog bite lawyer at Gemma Law is ready to fight for you.
Contact our Rhode Island personal injury lawyer now for a free consultation to discuss your legal options in pursuing compensation for your losses, much like the $550,000 settlement we secured for a client who suffered injuries in a vicious dog bite attack that resulted in facial scars.
Dog Bites Lead to Costly Losses
For many Americans, life is not complete without a dog or a cat, but pet ownership is not without its risks. Sometimes, our domestic animals bite or attack other people. While virtually any animal can cause injury to humans, dog bites are the most common type of animal attack.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention when it comes to non-fatal dog bite-related injuries. Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, likely because they spend more time playing with dogs and are inexperienced in reading canine behavior. They are also simply more accessible to dogs.
Regardless of its size or breed, any dog is capable of biting if provoked, threatened, or scared. Ultimately, the responsibility for properly training and controlling a dog rests with the owner or keeper. Depending on the circumstances, an individual who is bitten by a dog may be entitled to receive damages from the dog’s owner or the owner’s insurance company when determining what your dog bite case might be worth.
Dog Bite Cases Can Be Very Expensive
The Insurance Information Institute estimates that dog bites cost insurance companies $881.9 million in 2021, with the average dog bite claim totaling $49,025. Some homeowner and renter insurance policies now limit exposure by providing liability coverage up to a certain amount, leaving the dog owner responsible for all damages above that limit. If you suffered losses due to a dog bite, we encourage you to reach out to our dog bite attorney in Rhode Island for immediate help and review our case results today.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Rhode Island, call 401.467.2300
Dog Bite Cases in Rhode Island: Providence Dog Bite Lawyers
When a dog bites someone and causes injury or other losses, that person may have the legal right to pursue compensation for the losses they incurred. The at-fault party, which is typically the owner of the dog, must pay for those losses if the victim can prove they were liable. There are several legal avenues for establishing liability in dog bite cases.
- Common law. Traditionally, many states followed the “one-bite rule,” which was derived from court decisions rather than explicit laws. Under common law principles, a dog owner is responsible for a bite or attack if the owner had reason to believe that the dog was likely to cause that type of injury.
- Dog bite statutes. Rhode Island’s dog bite law, G.L. §4 13 16, holds dog owners strictly liable for any injury — including a bite or other wound — that occurs outside the dog’s enclosure. Under that law, the dog’s owner or keeper may be held liable for any injuries even though he or she is not at fault for the incident.
- Negligence theory. Even when the statute does not apply, a dog owner may be responsible for a dog bite or attack that occurs because the owner was unreasonably careless or negligent in controlling the dog.
In all situations like this, dog bite cases must be taken seriously, which means you should seek out the immediate help of a Rhode Island dog bite attorney even if you are unsure you have a case. Allow our legal team to uncover the rights and responsibilities of the owner, pursuing full and fair compensation for the losses you are facing right now. We are happy to offer a free consultation and a thorough FAQs section so you can learn if you have a case.
Rhode Island Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
We Fight for Your Full Compensation and Recovery
The Rhode Island dog bite lawyers of Gemma Law Associates, Inc., know that being bitten or attacked by a dog can be a traumatic and life-changing event. It can cause physical injuries, emotional scarring, and lasting fear. For many people, this can lead to disfigurement, chronic pain, and complications to health overall, especially if a person suffers an infection.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by another person’s dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. This can include medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and, in some cases, punitive damages. The amount and type of losses you are owed are dependent on the circumstances of your case.
Our legal team will analyze what occurred in your dog bite case and then offer insight into what steps you could take. This includes finding evidence to prove liability and negligence, documenting all types of losses you have suffered, and pursuing insurance companies for all losses that could impact your life for years to come. Our dog bite lawyer in Rhode Island will take your case seriously and fight to prove what you are owed in a court of law if the insurance company will not settle the case fairly.
Do Not Settle with the Insurance Company Until You Know What All of Your Losses Are
Do not make the mistake of settling with the insurance company for your medical bills until you are fully healed and aware of all types of losses you have suffered in this case. That means taking into consideration the long-term implications, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life that you may have. Insurance companies do not want to settle your case fairly but rather for less, which is why working with our team is so critical.
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Gemma Law Associates: Rhode Island Dog Bite Lawyers
Do not let an irresponsible dog owner take advantage of you. We serve clients throughout Rhode Island, and we can help you.
Contact us today. Set up a free consultation with Gemma Law now, and let us offer insight into your case while you speak confidentially to our Rhode Island dog bite lawyer.
Call or text 401.467.2300 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form