Thousands of innocent people every year are bitten, seriously injured and even killed due to dog bite injuries or animal attacks.  Each year there are more than 850,000 dog bites requiring medical attention and over four million dog bites ranging from minor injuries to serious dog maulings, resulting in bodily injury and even death.

In the United States alone, approximately 100 children are bitten by dogs every day and approximately 92 of these children will need medical attention. Dog bite statistics show that once a dog has bitten, the dog is more likely to bite again. Statistics also show  that the dog bites that people usually sustain occur in their own neighborhoods. While dog bite fatalities are rare, statistically 15 to 20 people are killed in vicious fatal dog attacks every year. One third of all injury claims against homeowner liability policies are related to dog bites and dog attacks.

Most dog bites are to the face, causing infection, trauma and scarring. Wounds can be classified as cuts, lacerations, abrasions, crushing wounds or punctures. These wounds can often result in fractured bones and/or disfiguring scars. Frequently surgical repair is needed, and eyesight or hearing is sometimes damaged permanently. Often there is also emotional and psychological trauma associated with dog bites and attacks to both the victim and the person witnessing such an attack.

If you were injured or a family member was injured or killed by any animal, you can sue the person who has, or should have had, control over the animal. Brown & Crouppen can help. A dog owner is required to control/restrain his or her animal in order to ensure public safety. The dog owner may be held responsible if you are on public property or if you are legally on private property. Dog owners may be held accountable for injuries sustained by their animals if the animal was not properly secured on their premises, on a leash, or the owner knew that the animal was prone to violence.

The owner of a dog is strictly liable for anyone who is injured or killed by a dog bite. You do not have to prove that the owner was negligent, in most cases. Further, the owner can be held responsible for negligence if you can prove that the owner failed to exercise ordinary care in controlling the dog. This can include failure to warn of the dog's dangerous traits, failing to restrain a dangerous dog, or engaging in conduct likely to excite the dog causing him to knock down, or injure, someone. Additionally, if the dog was unleashed and you were in a city with a leash law, there is a presumption that the owner was negligent.

Costs of treatment for the dog bites are often very high. Dog bite treatment can include emergency room visits, hospitalization, psychological treatment and often plastic surgery. You will be entitled to damages for such medical expenses, in addition to reimbursement for lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages. Brown & Crouppen can help you in getting the compensation you deserve.

If you or one of your family members has suffered a recent dog bite injury, please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll Free: 866-991-4700 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form. Our experienced and caring attorneys can answer all your questions regarding dog bites, dog attacks, liability, and the dog owner’s responsibility.

A Client's Story...

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My name is Veronica M. and I can honestly say the day my son Tim was injured was the most frightening day of my life. I couldn’t concentrate on anything for months but getting Tim better. I needed to find someone to handle my case so I could take care of my son. I called Brown & Crouppen and they took care of everything.   CONTINUE

Things You Should Know...

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Many people believe that all dogs get one “free” bite before the owner is responsible for damages, simply put, this is not always the case. A showing that the dog owner knew or should have known of the canine’s dangerous propensities is generally enough, in many states, to qualify for compensation.   CONTINUE