Dothan Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Work to Hold Pet Owners Accountable
Were you injured in an unprovoked dog attack?
Some dogs flip from docile to threatening in a matter of seconds. Others pose a continual risk to adults, children and other pets. At Carey & Hamner, P.C., our Dothan dog bite attorneys represent people bitten or otherwise injured by dogs of all breeds and sizes. We assert our clients’ rights under Alabama law so that dog owners cover the costs stemming from their animal’s unprovoked attacks. Our attorneys will work to establish fault, calculate the appropriate compensation for your injury and pursue full monetary relief through a verdict or settlement.
Alabama law on dog bites
An Alabama dog owner is liable when their dog attacks a person who is lawfully on the dog owner’s property, even if the victim is chased off the property during the attack. A dog owner can also be held liable for an attack that occurs in a park, on a walk or in another location.
The damages recoverable for dog attack injury depend in part on whether or not the owner knew the dog had a vicious or dangerous propensity. If the dog owner was not aware that their dog posed a danger to others, the owner can only be held accountable for the victim’s out-of-pocket expenses, such as hospital bills resulting directly from the attack. If the injured person can prove the owner knew or should have known the dog posed a danger, the owner may be required to compensate the victim for their noneconomic harm, such as the pain and suffering associated with the attack.
Third parties can also be held liable for a dog attack. For example, a landlord that allows a tenant to keep a vicious dog may be at fault in a premises liability case if the dog attacks another tenant or visitor.
Under Alabama law, dog owners are not liable for attacks on trespassers or for incidents where the victim provoked the animal.
Common dog bite injuries
Medical conditions that frequently result from dog attacks include:
- Infection
- Punctures
- Lacerations
- Scarring
- Head, neck and back trauma
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
We help clients seek compensation for dog attacks, including reimbursement for emergency care and follow-up visits.
What to do if you have been bitten by a dog
It is important to know what to do if you are attacked by a dog or if you witness a dog bite someone. If the dog bite is serious, seek emergency medical help. If the wound does not require immediate medical attention from a professional:
- Clean, disinfect and bandage the wound
- Collect contact information of the dog owner and the dog
- Collect contact information of any witnesses
- Take pictures of the injury and where it occurred
- See a doctor as soon as possible after the bite
After your injury, one of our Dothan personal injury attorneys can start the process of pursuing legal damages.
How owners can prevent dog bites
To lower the chances of being held liable for a dog bite or attack, an owner should:
- Put the dog through obedience training
- Keep the dog on a secure leash
- Apply a muzzle to dogs who nip or show aggression to others
- Recognize and avoid situations where the dog is uncomfortable or aggressive
- Warn visitors or strangers if a dog is not friendly
- Put up physical barriers to prevent the dog from escaping your property
Paying attention to a pet and recognizing signs of distress are crucial to preventing tragic accidents.
Contact an Alabama dog bite injury lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation
At Carey & Hamner, P.C. in Dothan, our Alabama attorneys pursue compensation for children and adults attacked by dogs. To schedule a free consultation with a caring member of our legal team, call 855-435-4797 or contact us online.
