Chester Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Chester Dog Bite Injury Attorney

A lot of people love dogs. They can be friendly, loyal, and even funny at times. Still, you need to remember that, at the end of the day, dogs are animals that react on instinct. It doesn’t take much for a dog to be aggressive or even dangerous. Dealing with a dog attack can be brutal, psychologically damaging, and result in serious physical injuries. If you want to pursue damages from the dog’s owner, you should contact a Chester, CT, dog bite injury lawyer for assistance.

At Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law, our Chester personal injury attorneys can figure out the right strategy for your case by determining liability, gathering evidence, and filing a dog bite injury claim on your behalf. You may be suffering from severe injuries from the attack, and you shouldn’t have to worry about legal troubles right now. A Chester dog bite injury attorney can walk you through every aspect of your case and provide you with knowledge of the state’s dog bite injury laws.

What to Do After a Dog Attack

Surviving an animal attack of any kind can be terrifying. It is vital to your own health that you do what you can to stabilize your own injury in the immediate aftermath of a dog attack. If the dog was large, your injuries may be considerable. Address your injuries quickly in an effort to avoid infection or blood loss. Here are some steps you can take to prevent further injury and protect yourself:

• First and foremost, you want to clean the wound. Wash the wound out with clean water. Be as thorough as you possibly can. If the wound is in an awkward spot, such as your back, you may want to get somebody to help you. If the injury is too bad and you are not able to move, just remain where you are and let the EMTs take care of you.
• At this point, you should get to a doctor as quickly as you can. If your wound is on your face, neck, or arms, you should ask someone to drive you to a hospital. The last thing you want is to pass out from blood loss or shock while you’re driving. Once you see a doctor, you can discuss a treatment plan and receive a pain medication prescription if necessary. Recent statistical data stated that almost 337,000 Americans need emergency medical attention for dog bites every year. If your injuries are severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention, you are likely to be taken to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. If your bite is minor, you may go to Middlesex Urgent Care in nearby Madison or Old Saybrook.
• Once you have medical records of your injury, you should contact a dog bite injury lawyer to start building a case for compensation. Connecticut state law holds dog owners accountable for the actions of their pets, including reimbursement for any damage caused by that pet. State law does not apply to trespassers or situations where the victim abused or provoked the dog prior to the attack.

The Dog Bite Injury Claim Process in Connecticut

State law requires strict liability for dog bite cases, which means that owners are held liable for the dog’s actions regardless of whether this was the dog’s first time acting like this. The process for filing a dog bite injury claim in Connecticut involves a number of essential steps. Here are those essential steps:

• After you receive immediate medical attention, you need to officially report the incident. This can involve calling the police or animal control to report the bite the same day if possible. Not only is this crucial for documentation, but it also gives law enforcement officers the chance to initiate quarantine protocols in the event of a rabies infection.
• Be sure to document everything. Leave no stone unturned. You can never have too much evidence in a personal injury case. Make sure you have the dog owner’s name, contact information, and insurance details. Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene. If there were any witnesses to the incident, get their contact info as well. They may be willing to provide a statement for your case.
• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter. If you fail to adhere to the treatment plan, the dog owner’s lawyer may try to use that as evidence that your injuries are not as bad as you claim. Once you are fully healed, you can provide the total cost of damages brought on by the attack, including any surgeries, medication costs, and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering.
• Throughout this situation, you should have a dog bite injury lawyer by your side to help with filing, paperwork deadlines, and gathering evidence. Your lawyer can contact the insurance company and attempt to negotiate a settlement with the dog owner to avoid a trial. If no settlement can be reached, your case may go to trial in civil court.

Dog Bite Injuries

Not all serious dog bite injuries are from dangerous breeds or dogs that have shown aggressive behavior in the past. Any dog may bite in situations where they feel threatened. This can involve a trespasser, a stranger, a neighbor, another animal, or even a family member. Dogs may also be more prone to biting due to a change of environment, or if they are sick or injured. The most common kinds of injuries that result from a dog bite include:

• Punctures
• Skin lacerations
• Nerve or tendon damage
• Broken bones or fractures
• Bruises
• Hematomas
• Avulsions
• Disfigurement
• Loss of senses such as vision or hearing

Hire a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Chester

It’s reasonable to assume your mind is not on legal next steps when you are attacked by a dog. You may be focused solely on recovering from your injuries. That’s why you should hire a dog bite injury lawyer in Chester, CT to represent your interests and file a claim for you. Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law is the largest law firm in eastern Connecticut. Our legal team have served our clients’ legal needs for more than 75 years. Contact us to speak to an experienced lawyer immediately.

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