- SHARE:
Animal Bite Law
Guide to Dog Bite and Animal Attack Law
Animal Bite Laws are created at the state level, through statutes and common law, so they vary across the U.S. These laws help to determine if a pet owner is liable when his/her animal bites someone. When a person is injured by an animal bite, the bite victim may sue the animal’s owner or another responsible party for damages, under Personal Injury Tort Laws.
Other parties that can also be held liable for damages caused by an animal bite include: animal keepers, who are responsible for the care and custody of an animal, such as a kennel, pound or animal sitter; property owners, when they have allowed the animal on their property; landlords, if they knew that their tenant owned a dangerous animal; and parents of minors who owned the animal or behaved negligently with an animal which led to injury.
Most states impose strict liability laws with regard to animal owners. This means that an animal owner is legally responsible for his/her animal biting, regardless of whether the owner showed actual negligence or fault. In these states, if the animal injures a person, the owner will be liable for any damages the person suffers as a result of the dog bite, even if the animal had never shown vicious tendencies before, or the owner had no knowledge of these tendencies.
The only defense the animal owner may have in these cases is intentional provocation of the animal by the victim, which means inciting, encouraging, or provoking the animal to bite. Additionally, law enforcement agencies that use dogs in the apprehension of criminal suspects may be exempt from liability.
In other states, the owner’s liability is dependent upon his/her knowledge of the animal’s dangerous or vicious propensities. If the victim can show that the owner had knowledge that the animal was dangerous and could injure someone, the owner may be liable for damages when his/her animal causes injury to someone. However, if the animal owner adequately warned others of the dangerousness of the animal and took the proper measures to keep the animal from others, there may be no liability, due to contributory negligence. This means the victim contributed to his own injury by failing to exercise reasonable care and knowingly taking the risk of being injured by the animal.
The damages that can be recovered in a successful animal bite claim include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damages. Although it is sometimes possible to recover punitive damages, but to do so it must be shown that the responsible party was not merely negligent, but was actually reckless or intentionally incited the injury.
Copyright HG.org
Know Your Rights!
Articles on HG.org Related to Animal Bite Law
- Who is Liable for Animal Bites by Wild Animals?In virtually every jurisdiction, the owner of an animal will be responsible if it injures someone, whether that animal is a pet, a service animal, or on display, such as at a zoo or exhibition. But, people get injured by wild animals, too. When a wild animal attacks someone, who is responsible for the injuries? The injured person? The property owner where the attack occurred? The government?
- When the Bite’s Worse Than the BarkAn estimated 2 million attacks occur each year with only 800,000 documented. While some breeds have the tendency for more aggression than others, animal attacks can happen anywhere, anytime. Sadly, many victims are under 10 years of age and dog bites alone make up for most child emergency room visits due to an animal attack.
- Biting Back After a Dog Bites YouIt is a common topic on the local news, and every year, thousands of Americans are bitten by animals. More often than not, these animals are dogs. Obviously, dog bites can lead to a number of expenses, including tests for rabies, medical treatment for injuries, etc. As a result, victims of dog bites often have claims for damages against the owners of the animals, the owners of property where the dog bite happened, and sometimes others.
- How Long Does it Take to Receive Settlement MoneyThis article talks about the amount of time that it takes to collect money from a settlement. In this article you will learn how to minimize delays as much as possible.
- What to do if Injured on Someone Else's PropertyHave you, or someone you know, been injured while visiting someone else’s home or place of business? Such injuries can occur as a result of wet floors, uneven steps, falling objects, defective elevators, defective parking lots and sidewalks, poorly lit staircases, inadequate security, dog bites, or some other dangerous conditions on the premises. If this sounds like you, you may have a basis for a lawsuit against the property owners.
- Rhode Island Dog Bite LawAccording to the American Humane Association, dog bites occur nearly five million times annually, with almost one million causing injury requiring medical treatment.
- Explanation of Disfigurement from Dog Bite: Types, Treatment and DamagesDisfigurement from a dog bite after a dog attack may result in compensation for the surgical costs to treat the disfigurement and emotional harm.
- Dog Attack Claim: Establishing Ownership of Dog in FayettevilleAfter a dog attack, you may decide to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. To do this, however, you will need to establish ownership of the dog.
- California Dog Bite and Leash LawsEvery day about one thousand U.S. citizens incur dog bites that require emergency attention. Dog bite law is a branch of law that greatly varies from state to state. California has noticed an increase in dangerous dogs and dog bites, and has created a set of laws that are especially stringent in order to keep its citizens safer. Dog owners are responsible and held liable for what their dogs do to both humans and other animals.
- Dog Bite Laws In Texas: Why Pit Bulls Should Be Banned or RestrainedTens of thousands of people are injured every year from dog bites and attacks, and dozens more are killed each year. As one of the world's leading developed countries, it is both irresponsible and non-progressive to ignore this problem. Other countries around the world have adopted much stricter breed-specific laws and restraint requirements. Unlike the U.S., 12 countries have recognized the dangerous nature of pit bulls and made legislation protecting people from them.
- All Tort and Personal Injury Law Articles
