While many dog owners try to tame their dogs so they obey commands and are not violent to others, any dog can act out unexpectedly. Unfortunately, when this happens, catastrophic consequences can result in significant and lasting damages, debilitating pain, and a slew of medical expenses that can affect a person’s life forever.
Instead of having to tackle these consequences on your own, you should reach out to an experienced Superior dog bite lawyer, like those at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, as soon as you can. With these lawyers fighting on your side, you can pursue the justice you deserve and the financial recovery you deserve for the harm you sustained.
Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers - About Us
Founded to provide victims the legal help they need and the respect their cases deserve, Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers have done just that for the last 14 years, helping thousands of clients facing the challenges that come with disabilities and injuries.
Today, our firm is known for providing the residents of Wisconsin and Minnesota with trusted and tailored legal representation and going after the justice these individuals need. As a result of this dedication and drive, we have secured millions of dollars on our clients’ behalf through jury verdicts and settlement negotiations.
Injured in Superior? Get Nicolet.
Dog Bite Statistics
Unfortunately, dog bite accidents are not isolated incidents.
They tend to happen frequently and often result in devastating and deadly injuries.
In fact:
- Around 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the United States, and nearly one out of five bites become infected.
- In one year, about 27,000 individuals underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites.
- The average cost of a hospital stay related to a dog bite was 50 percent higher than the average injury-related hospital stay.
- There are almost four times as many dog bite-related emergency department visits and three times as many hospital stays in rural areas than urban areas.
- Over 13 years, children under two made up 26 percent of all dog bite fatality victims.
Dog Bite Laws in Superior
Wisconsin’s laws make a dog owner accountable for the total damages caused by their dog when it harms another person, property, or domestic animal.
According to state law, if a dog bites another person with enough force to break their skin and cause permanent disfigurement or physical scarring, the dog’s owner may need to pay twice the full amount of damages if the dog’s owner knew that their dog had previously bitten another person and caused permanent physical scarring or disfigurement without provocation.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries generally range in severity and type depending on the incident.
However, the more common injuries following a dog bite incident tend to include:
- Deep lacerations
- Infections and diseases such as rabies
- Abrasions
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Scarring
- Facial trauma, including eye injuries
- Nerve Damage
The Time Limitations to Bring an Injury Claim Following a Superior Dog Bite Incident
Before you can collect damages for the harm and losses you sustained following a dog bite incident, you first need to make sure you have enough time to bring this legal action. The statute of limitations is a law that indicates the specific amount of time you have to file a legal claim following an alleged offense. If you do not bring this claim within that allotted deadline, you cannot recover the compensation you need for your losses and injuries.
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations to bring a legal claim following a dog attack is three years from the injury date. However, certain exceptions may apply to this rule. As a result, if you want to seek justice for your injuries, reach out to Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as you can.
We can promptly review your case, determine when you must file your claim, and appropriately prepare and file your legal motions before time runs out.
Steps to Take After a Superior Dog Attack
After a Superior dog attack, take action. Although this may be the last thing you want to do, given the circumstances, you need to realize that your actions after this incident can not only keep you safe but also protect your legal rights.
For these reasons, following a Superior dog attack, you should:
#1. Stay Calm and Contact the Authorities
After the incident, do not try to catch the dog that bit you. Instead, contact the authorities, either the police or local animal control, especially if the dog’s owner is not present. These authorities can help contain the dog and find the owner.
In addition, you will also want to file an incident report with them regarding the dog bite. This report should include a description of the dog, where it bit you, the injuries you sustained, and any information about the dog’s owner.
#2. Get Medical Attention
Even if you think your dog bite injuries are minor, you should still see a doctor. Dog bites can result in debilitating injuries and lead to deadly infections. As a result, get to a doctor immediately after the attack since these medical professionals can not only provide you the treatment you need, but they can also document your injuries in their medical reports.
If you decide to pursue legal action after the dog bite, medical reports can serve as valuable evidence.
#3. Get Information From the Dog’s Owner
If the dog’s owner is present at the scene, try to get their contact information and insurance details, and if possible, obtain any information about the dog’s vaccination history, primarily if they had their rabies vaccine.
This information can help preserve your rights to sue later for damages, as well as help the doctor figure out if you need to undergo the shots that can protect you from this fatal disease.
#4. Document the Scene and Your Injuries
If you are in condition to do so, take as many pictures and videos of the attack, including photos of the dog in question, your visible injuries, any damage to your property, and the torn closing that resulted. Typically, the more evidence you can gather after the attack, the more information your attorney has to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
#5. Check for Witnesses
Check to see if there were people present at the scene who saw what happened. If there were, try to get their names and contact details. Their statements can provide your lawyer with helpful information about the incident and help back up your claim.
#6. Keep Bills and Records Related to the Dog Bite Incident
Keep track of all your expenses related to your Superior dog bite accident, including lost wages, time off work, medical costs, and damages to your personal property. These documents can help your attorney go after the maximum financial recovery you need.
#7. Be Careful What You Say After the Incident
After the incident, as you talk to the dog’s owner and witnesses, make sure you watch what you say. You want to avoid making any definitive statements about the dog bite incident, taking the blame for anything that occurred, or apologizing. These types of comments can end up hurting your claim and the amount of money you can collect.
Frequently Asked Questions After a Superior Dog Bite Incident
Generally, after a dog bite, victims and their families often have numerous questions about the incident and the possible legal options they have. For these reasons, our firm has prepared answers to the following frequently asked questions regarding dog attacks. With these responses, we hope you have the information you need to obtain the damages you deserve.
1. How Do You Know If You Can Pursue Legal Action After a Dog Attack in Superior?
One of the most common questions dog bite victims have concerns their legal options after a dog bite, and whether they have a viable claim. However, the answer to this question is not that simple.
Various factors can affect the viability of a claim, for instance:
- What was the severity and extent of the injuries following a dog attack?
- Is there still time to bring legal action against the dog’s owner?
- Is there any insurance available following the dog bite incident?
That is why following a dog attack, you should promptly reach out to a Superior dog bite attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. These attorneys can go over the details of your attack, determine what happened, and figure out if you have a valid legal claim.
2. Can You Collect Compensation From the Dog Owner’s Insurance Company Following a Dog Attack in Superior?
Generally, to determine if you can collect money from the insurance company following a dog attack in Superior, you need to consider the following:
Whether the Owner Insured the Dog
Even if a dog’s owner has renters or homeowner’s insurance, the policies may not cover a dog bite. In some instances, these policies can even exclude coverage for harm sustained by certain breeds of dogs.
How Much is the Insurance Company Willing to Pay
Assuming you have valid insurance, simply asking the insurer for compensation for your injuries may not ensure you get all the money you need. Instead, the insurance company may want to see compelling arguments and relevant evidence proving your damages and the liable party’s fault before they provide you with a settlement offer.
Thankfully, when you retain an experienced Superior dog bite attorney, they can handle this whole process for you. They can verify whether the insurance company covers your dog bite injuries and fight for the compensation you need.
3. How Can Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Help You Following a Dog Attack in Superior?
If a dog bit you, reach out to an experienced Superior dog bite attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Our attorneys are here to take on this challenging legal battle on your behalf and go after the compensation you deserve.
In fact, once you retain one of our Superior lawyers, they can:
- Go over your dog bite incident, figure out if you have a viable legal claim, and determine which legal options you can pursue.
- Investigate the incident and secure the evidence necessary to show what happened and who is at fault for your injuries.
- Answer all the questions and concerns you have regarding your Superior dog bite incident and the legal process involved with your claim.
- Handle all the negotiations with the insurance company and go after a fair settlement.
- Head to trial, if needed, and fight for maximum damages.
Do not wait to retain legal help if you or a loved one suffered significant dog bite injuries. Instead, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at (715) 226-6295 today for a free case evaluation, and let our experienced Superior dog bite lawyers show you how we can help.
Superior Office
1200 Tower Ave.
Superior, WI 54880
Phone: (715) 226-6295