Southaven Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite victim’s life will transform in seconds when they suffer extreme injuries. Many times a person, especially children, will die from a dog bite attack changing the trajectory of their family. The physical and emotional damage that the dog bite inflicts is detrimental to all involved. 

A dog attack can happen to anyone; between 60 and 75 percent of all dog attacks occur to those under 20. The highest percentage of these incidents occur in children aged five to nine. If you suffer a vicious dog attack, you must immediately speak with a Southaven personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC. 

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite injuries are traumatic, no matter how small they may seem. They are also dangerous because you can suffer an infection that worsens your condition. Scarring and disfigurement are common, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports 28,079 reconstructive procedures for dog bites for their latest reporting year. 

On average, there were 886 emergency room visits and 26 hospitalizations daily for dog bites yearly. The injuries that result from dog bite attacks are:

• Eye injuries
• Lacerations
• Disfigurement
• Neck injures
• Factures
• Amputation 
• Nerve damage 
• Puncture wounds
• Scarring 

Fatal attacks are also prevalent; larger dogs are the most common culprits. Since they are large, they have more strength than smaller dogs. While smaller dogs can also attack more often than larger dogs, they often cause less injury than larger dogs. 

Responsibility for an Accident

Many dog bite cases do not come to fruition because dog attacks happen with familiar people like family and friends. In most incidents, the dog owner is the responsible party for the attack and injuries, and that is who you will file a lawsuit against. You do not want to sue a neighbor or your cousin but remember your life is now forever changed, and they are not paying you directly; their insurance company is. 

While the homeowner’s insurance will cover the costs of a dog attack, they will do everything possible to pay as little as possible. So, to keep things amicable between you and your friends, you should work with a dog bite lawyer in Southaven. We will focus on the legalities while your focus on healing and salvaging your relationships. 

While the owner is the primary responsible party, in most cases, there are a couple of instances where they are not. If the dog was under the care of a dog sitter or keeper, those parties could also face legal consequences. Additionally, if a landlord knew about a dangerous dog and did nothing to inform or protect the residents, they can also face responsibility for injuries. 

You Can Seek Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

Financial compensation is available after a dog attack, and you will need the help of a dog bite attorney in Southaven. Even if you believe it is a close and shut case, we will still need to conduct a thorough investigation and provide a solid case, so the insurance company does not try to deny the claim altogether. It is best to contact a dog bite lawyer immediately after the attack since evidence at the scene disappears if you wait too long. 

There are economic and non-economic damages available for dog bite victims. Your injury will be the primary determinant of how much compensation you will get, but so will items like lost wages, loss of future earnings, future medical bills, and property damage. During an investigation, we will look at public records regarding the animal’s history, such as animal control records, police reports, and other documents. 

When a person dies from a dog bite attack, the family can file a wrongful death claim and obtain compensation for funeral expenses and mental anguish. The death of a loved one from a dog attack is difficult to recover from emotionally. When you meet with a dog bite lawyer in Southaven, we will review your case and inform you of the damages you can receive. 

The Statute of Limitations to File a Claim

Regarding dog bite cases, you will have three years to take legal action starting from the accident date. Do not wait this long to move forward, as there are many other steps we must take before the deadline. Knowing and filing within the statute of limitations is essential to your recovery claim because filing after the deadline means losing your legal rights to compensation. 

Considerations for Choosing a Southaven Dog Bite Attorney

Finding the right Southaven dog bite lawyer is challenging because all dog bites fall under personal injury; they have specific legal issues that other cases do not. You must have a lawyer who you are comfortable with guiding you every step of the way. There are some considerations to remember when speaking with lawyers. 

Personal injury lawyers in Southaven offer free consultations to assess your comfort level before signing up for the law firm. You should also ask about the firm’s focus and the lawyers’ experience to ensure they can handle a case similar to yours. If you choose that law firm, you do not pay upfront costs until the case settles. 

You and your Southaven lawyer must work as a team to get the compensation you deserve after a vicious dog attack. You will work closely with the dog bite layer you choose, and you must feel comfortable with them since you will need to communicate for months during the process. Ask about the amount of communication and if there is a direct person of contact for any questions. 

Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC Can Help

You do not have time to waste after a dog bite because many deadlines will fast approach. Your health is the priority, and we understand there will be extensive medical treatment for a dog bite in Southaven. Do not fear the repercussions of filing a lawsuit against friends or family because your life is in the balance. 

Many dog bite victims never go near a dog again because they are riddled with fear. Contact our Southaven dog bite lawyer to review your legal options for recovery.