Have you been bitten by a dog? Are you frantic and don’t know what to do? Asking yourself, is there a dog bite lawyer near me?
Man’s best friend can provide companionship and enrich our lives in countless ways. Unfortunately, not every encounter with a dog result is friendly. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have seen the damage a dog attack can do to the body. We have the experience to make a difference when an animal strikes.
If you or a loved one are the victims of a dog bite, contact a top Fort Wayne dog bite injury lawyer at Truitt Law Offices at (260) 344 7055 as soon as possible.
Why Should You Hire Truitt Law Offices for Your Dog Bite Claim?
Choosing an attorney to represent you in a Fort Wayne dog bite injury claim is a step that can carry significant implications for your experience throughout the claims process and influence the outcome of your case.
When you turn to Truitt Law Offices for legal support, you can benefit from our 40-plus years of legal experience and our firm’s exclusive focus on personal injury cases. We know how to prepare persuasive claims and have the successful track record to show for it.
For example, our legal team has recovered significant compensation for dog bite victims, including a $1 million trial award for a client who was attacked by a dog on an Indianapolis commercial property and suffered lasting scarring and injuries.
We are proud of the feedback we have received from our clients, as well as the recognition we have received from legal organizations like the National Trial Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. For example, our firm has more than 100 five-star reviews on Google, including this one from Dale K.:
“Fantastic people, after my dog bite, they helped all the way and explained the steps they took on my case and why. I cannot recommend them enough.”
Our personal injury law firm is ready to show you how we will work to deliver the same level of satisfaction to you at every stage of the legal process.
How Can Truitt Law Offices Help with Your Dog Bite Case?
We know how much stress and anxiety you may be feeling after a dog attack. It is natural to feel overwhelmed when you are struggling with your physical recovery and worried about how the incident is affecting your health and finances.
Truitt Law Offices is ready to provide comprehensive support with your dog bite injury claim. Here are a few examples of what you can expect from the process:
- Free case evaluation – During your initial consultation, we will listen to you describe what happened, answer your initial questions, address your concerns, and explain whether we believe you may have grounds to file a dog bite injury claim.
- Clear explanation of our contingency fee – We charge no attorney fees up front. Instead, we work on a contingency-fee basis and get paid only if you do. We will explain how the process works so you know what to expect before moving forward.
- Thorough investigation – Our team will gather evidence, including medical records and testimony from any witnesses, to document how the attack has affected your life and identify all potentially liable parties.
- Trial preparation – We prepare every case for trial to strengthen your position during settlement talks and help us pursue full compensation.
- Insurance negotiations – We understand how insurance companies handle injury claims and the tactics they use to minimize payouts. Truitt Law Offices will push back against low settlement offers and fight for the money you deserve.
- Ongoing communication – We will keep you updated throughout your case and explain what is going on at every step. If you ever have questions or concerns about your case, we make ourselves available to provide the clarity and peace of mind you need.
What Are Some Indiana Dog Bite Statistics?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 350,000 people are treated for severe dog bites in emergency rooms each year. About half of the victims are children under 14. About 30 people die each year from dog attacks. Again, about half of them are children.
Indiana recently ranked eighth in the nation for State Farm insurance claims for dog bites. The 109 claims that year totaled $4 million.
Shockingly, most dog bites happen on the owner’s property. Victims are typically friends or family of the owner. In most deadly cases, the victims were vulnerable because they were too young or old to fight off the dog. No one else was present to intervene. The dog was not spayed or neutered and was living at the property but was not a family pet.
What Dog Breeds are Involved in the Most Dog Bite Cases?
Any dog could potentially attack someone, but some breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. Some of the most common dog breeds associated with dog bite attacks include Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Huskies.
What are the Most Common Injuries Associated With Dog Bites in Indiana?
Dog bites can cause a variety of physical and emotional harm, such as:
- Diseases like rabies
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infection of dog bite wounds or scarring at the bite site
- Damage to hands, arms, or other limbs, including severed limbs, disfigurement, and broken bones
- Significant injuries, such as nerve damage, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injuries
- Scrapes and bruises
- Damage to eyes, vision, facial nerves, or tear ducts
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Muscle damage
- Emotional distress
No matter your injury, a lawyer can help get the money you need to pay for treatment. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney at Truitt Law Offices as soon as possible.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Fort Wayne?
When a dog attacks a person, it’s common for them to panic and worry about what they should do.
However, if a dog bites you in Fort Wayne, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
- Seek medical attention. Call a doctor as soon as possible to get professional medical help. Many dog bite wounds are not immediately obvious and might cause long-term damage. While you’re waiting for medical attention, lightly wash the wound with water and soap to lessen the risk of infection, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel, and elevate the injured area to reduce bleeding.
- Document the attack. Gather information about the attack, such as the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, details about the location where you were when the bite occurred, and the names, contact info, and testimonies of any witnesses. Take pictures of your injuries and property damage as soon as possible, since your injuries might appear to be less serious as they heal, or someone might repair the property damage. Additionally, photograph important aspects of the accident scene, such as the lack of a warning sign about the dog or a hole in the fence.
- Report the attack to authorities. Call the Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at (260) 427-1244 to report the dog bite.
- Call a lawyer for help. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney. Your attorney can handle all the details of the case on your behalf and can help you pursue the compensation you need to cover damages from the attack.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Dog Bite Case?
To prove fault in a dog bite case, gather evidence to show that the dog’s owner was negligent in some way. For example, they might have kept a dog that was known to be aggressive or failed to restrain the dog.
Additionally, you must demonstrate that you had a right to be at the location where the attack occurred and that you did nothing to provoke the attack. If a dog bit your child, try to show that the child could not have reasonably known that their actions would cause the dog to attack.
Do Hospitals Report Dog Bites or Animal Attacks to the Authorities?
Under Indiana law, physicians or the hospital where they work must report dog bites to the Indiana State Department of Health within 72 hours after they treat a bite victim.
