Dog Bite Lawyer in Indianapolis
Recent statistics put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that every year over 4 million people are injured by dog bites. In addition, more than 31,000 dog bite victims have to suffer through expensive reconstructive surgery as a result of their injuries.
What are Common Injuries Associated With Dog Bites in Indianapolis?
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 Indianapolis personal injury attorney at Truitt Law Offices as soon as possible.
What Are the Penalties for Having a Vicious Dog in Indiana?
In most cases, however, the penalties for having a vicious dog are generally considered misdemeanors.
The Indiana Criminal Code defines an unprovoked dog attack as a Class C misdemeanor when:
- The owner of the dog recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fails to take reasonable steps to restrain the dog;
- The dog enters a property that does not belong to the dog owner;
- Due to the dog owner failing to restrain the animal, the dog bites or attacks another person without provocation, resulting in bodily injury.
Do Cities in Indiana Have Ordinances for Dog Owners Should Their Dog Attack Someone?
Many cities in Indiana, including Indianapolis, have ordinances that govern dog owners for when they are irresponsible and their dog attacks you or a loved one. Some of the city ordinances throughout Indiana may define or restrict certain animals or dog breeds that are dangerous, as well as imposing fines and determining whether the dog who attacked should be destroyed.
As you can see, the criminal penalties are not enough to deal with the results of a dog bite or attack which is why it will fall to you to bring a civil suit in order to receive fair and just compensation for your injuries.
The Truitt Law Offices in Indianapolis are experienced in dog bite cases and know how to handle these types of cases.
While dog bite cases may appear to be somewhat straightforward, they must be taken seriously by you and your attorney. The issues that may be involved in your Indianapolis dog bite lawsuit may include insurance coverage and other complex legal issues.
Dog bites and attacks can happen suddenly and for many reasons causing you or your loved one serious harm.
It’s important to contact an Indianapolis dog bite injury attorney at Truitt Law Offices as soon as possible after the dog bite.
Do not sign anything with any insurance company until you have consulted us.
While people in Indianapolis shouldn’t keep a vicious dog as a pet, many do, and it is their responsibility to protect you from these animals. Many times. the victim of a dog bite or attack is a child. The results could be severe physical injury and significant emotional trauma, even if you’re an adult. In some cases, you or your loved one may suffer permanent disfigurement and damage.
What Are the Different Levels of Liability in Indianapolis Dog Bite Cases?
Civil Liability
Civil liability is perhaps the most common form of liability in dog bite cases and is the liability that allows for you to collect compensation for your injuries. The owner will automatically be held liable if the person who was bitten was carrying out legal responsibility, such as delivering mail and was acting peacefully, without provoking the dog. This liability does not require that the owner have any prior knowledge of viciousness on the part of the dog. Even if this is the first biting incident involving the dog, that will not be a defense and will not protect the owner from financial liability.
Although civil liability does not necessarily result in criminal charges, there are consequences of being found liable. Any reasonable expenses incurred by the dog bite victim, such as medical bills, lost wages due to the injury, and pain and suffering may be paid by the dog’s owner.
Criminal Liability
In addition to civil liability, criminal charges may be filed as a result of a dog bite in certain circumstances. These charges are at the discretion of law enforcement, regardless of whether or not the victim chooses to pursue a civil case, although the victim will typically need to agree to press charges in order to build the case for law enforcement.
Under Indiana law, an owner is criminally liable if:
- The owner does not restrain the dog, knowingly or intentionally
- The dog enters someone else’s property and attacks without provocation
- The dog is a wolf or coyote hybrid and is not restrained
With the exception of crosses with wolves and coyotes, criminal liability generally requires some knowledge or reasonable expectation that the dog might be vicious. In most cases, the crime is a misdemeanor, with the exception of dog attacks resulting in the death of the attacked individual, which are charged as felonies. In the case of a wolf hybrid or “coydog,” felonies may be charged for repeat offenses or for offenses resulting in serious injury or death.
Unlike civil liability, criminal liability does not allow for compensation for the victims. Any financial penalties, such as fines, do not benefit those bitten. Therefore, dog bite victims must pursue a civil liability case in order to collect compensation. The results of the criminal case have no impact on the civil case, which may reach a different conclusion entirely. However, the results of the criminal case can be used as evidence in the civil case.
Why Do I Need an Indianapolis Dog Bite Attorney?
Proving fault in a dog bite case can be difficult.
- Was the dog provoked?
- Had the victim been invited on the property?
- Was the dog running loose?
- Did the dog have a history of attacks?
An Indianapolis dog bite lawyer can get you answers to these questions.
Truitt Law Offices takes over from day one. We can help prove who was responsible and deal with the dog owner’s insurance company, so you don’t have to.
We work hard to make sure you get paid for all of your damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Emergency room fees
- Hospitalization costs
- Ambulance fees
- Medications
- Long term care
- Plastic surgery in the event of scarring
- Counseling for mental trauma
- Past and future lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Property damage
Our Indianapolis dog bite lawyers have seen many dog bite cases. We know how to present a compelling dog bite injury case, and we know how to make a claim for all of your damages.
Contact an Indianapolis Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
The experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at Truitt Law Offices will be strong advocates for you and fight for you or your loved one’s right to all the compensation you deserve for your dog bite injuries.
