How Much Does It Cost for a Dog Bite Lawyer?

Dogs are man’s best friends and can make the most wonderful, loyal companions. Conscientious owners can easily prevent dog attacks and injuries by keeping their animals on a leash and under control at all times, especially in public areas. However, when a negligent owner fails to control their animal adequately, victims can suffer horrific wounds that could cause troubling infections and lifelong scarring.

Dog attacks can be terrifying, painful, emotionally distressing, and result in steep medical bills for a victim. If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a dog attack, you could recover compensation. While the cost of a dog bite lawyer can vary, with Morgan & Morgan, you pay nothing unless we win and you recover damages. Contact us now for a free case review to find out how you could get justice and compensation.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 360,000 individuals required medical help for dog bite injuries in 2001 alone. Based on the CDC’s figures, children under ten years of age are at particular danger of becoming victims of dog attacks. 

Generally, all types of dog breeds can inflict painful bites. However, some of the larger breeds are generally stronger and can be more dangerous than others. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds tend to be at the top of the list when it comes to dangerous dog breeds in this country. According to Forbes, Pit Bulls are responsible for more than half of all fatal dog attacks in the U.S., despite the breed accounting for only 6.5 percent of the dog population. 

Dog Bite Injuries 

Dog bite injuries can be anything but trivial. Individuals who suffered severe injuries in a dog attack can experience ongoing physical pain, emotional trauma, and other long-term consequences for their health. Common dog bite injuries can include:

• Broken and crushed bones
• Head and facial injuries
• Disfigurement and extensive scarring
• Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
• Muscle injuries
• Temporary or permanent nerve damage
• Infections

No matter how small, injuries from dog bites should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Infections with bacteria or viruses are a common and potentially serious concern with dog bites and can include:

• Rabies 
• Tetanus
• The “superbug” MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)
• Pasteurella Bacteria

Rabies and Tetanus can be fatal if not immediately treated. Victims with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from suffering significant adverse effects after dog bites. 

Emotional Injuries After Dog Attacks

Emotional injuries can be just as damaging as physical injuries and severely impact a victim’s life. Emotional distress associated with a frightening dog attack can include:  

• Intense fear of dogs
• Dreading to leave the home
• Flashbacks of the dog attack
• Nightmares and insomnia
• Depression and anxiety
• Lack of confidence due to scarring and disfigurement

A victim with emotional injuries may require extensive psychological counseling after experiencing a traumatizing dog attack. Victims are generally entitled to pursue compensation for damages related to their emotional as well as their physical injuries. 

Compensation You Could Recover After a Dog Attack

If you got hurt in a dog attack and incurred expenses, you could be entitled to damages, including but not limited to: 

• Medical costs and future healthcare expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disability
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of life enjoyment

The amount and types of compensation recoverable in your dog bite case will depend on the circumstances of the attack, the severity of your injuries, and your overall damages in connection with the dog attack. 

Wrongful Death Damages

If your loved one passed away from their dog bite injuries, you could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit to help with the financial consequences of losing a family member. Damages in wrongful death claims can include, among others:

• Income and benefits from the deceased
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of parental guidance (minor children)
• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses before death
• Loss of inheritance

Your Next Best Steps After a Dog Attack

If you suffered injuries due to a negligent dog owner, you could take some essential steps to protect your legal rights as soon as possible. 

Seek Medical Help Immediately After a Dog Bite 

Wounds from dog bites typically require prompt medical treatment and wound cleaning to cut down on the risk of infections and other complications. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any potential tetanus or rabies inoculations after getting bitten. Visiting a medical professional can also provide you with the evidence you need to prove your injuries and medical bills, which will be crucial for holding a dog owner to account. 

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer 

If you or a loved one got injured due to a dog owner’s recklessness, you could be entitled to compensation and should contact an attorney for advice as soon as possible. Unfortunately, in some cases, victims of dog attacks shy away from seeking legal advice due to worrying about the cost of a dog bite lawyer. This could be a mistake as there are time limits in most states for filing personal injury lawsuits. Therefore, the best step after getting medical help can be consulting with a dog bite lawyer from our firm and learn about your legal options.

How Long Does a Dog Bite Lawsuit Take?

Since no two dog bite incidents are the same, it can be next to impossible to determine how long your specific lawsuit would take. However, there is the possibility of resolving dog bite claims with an out-of-court settlement before it comes to a trial or before filing a lawsuit. Reaching an agreement out of court can speed up the process considerably, and you could receive a settlement much faster than with a case going to trial. 

Some important factors come into play when determining the approximate length of a dog bite lawsuit, including but not limited to: 

• The severity of your injuries
• The scope of all your damages
• Whether the negligence of a dog owner is clear
• Whether you can reach a fair out-of-court settlement 

Therefore, until you are some way into the legal process, it can be tricky to know how long a suit takes to settle. 

What You Can Do to Speed Up Your Case

Taking the right action after getting bitten and attacked by a dog can be crucial for recovering compensation in a timely manner. First of all, see your doctor for a medical evaluation as soon as possible and make sure to request a medical report listing all injuries, including any emotional effects. Your next steps can include: 
 

• Contacting law enforcement 
• Collecting evidence to prove your case
• Contacting local animal control 
• Consulting with a dog bite lawyer

A dog bite lawyer from our firm can help you navigate all aspects of your claim, including negotiation with the at-fault party and their insurance company. Your attorney will do anything they can to move your case along, ensuring there are no unreasonable delays. 

Is the Dog Owner Liable for My Damages?

A dog owner is generally responsible for their pet’s actions, including the injuries or property damage it causes. While laws can differ from one state to another, the following laws can apply when it comes to the responsibility of dog owners: 

• Most state laws include dog bite statutes that hold an owner liable for any damages caused by their pet 
• General negligence laws can also apply for holding a dog owner liable when they have acted negligently in failing to control their animal

Unless you were illegally trespassing when the attack occurred, you could hold a dog owner to account for your damages.

Is it Worth Initiating a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Victims of dog attacks may question whether or not to pursue damages from a dog owner. However, if you suffered severe bites, your damages, such as medical bills, lost income, and other expenses, can mount up quickly. Moreover, you could be facing considerable future healthcare expenses. Generally, if you suffered a significant injury, it can be worth seeking legal recourse.

If your physical injury from a dog attack is minor, you could still recover compensation. Dog attacks do not only cause physical injuries but can also result in significant emotional distress. In some cases, individuals who have suffered injuries in dog attacks develop a lifelong fear of dogs. You could recover compensation for any mental and emotional distress suffered in a dog bite incident. 

Most dog bite claims settle out of court. However, if the dog owner or their insurance party tries to minimize or deny you a fair settlement, you might have to file a lawsuit to get justice. 

Do not worry about the cost of a dog bite lawyer. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, and there are no out-of-pocket costs if we take your case. Moreover, we can evaluate your dog bite incident for free and advise you whether it is worth filing legal action.

Do I Have a Case if I Was Attacked by a Stray Dog?

If you were bitten by a stray dog, pursuing compensation can be impossible. However, you could seek damages if a negligent party can be identified. In some cases, even when individuals are bitten by a stray dog, someone is responsible, such as an animal shelter that allowed a dog to escape. Consulting with a dog bite lawyer about your specific case can provide clarity. 

How Much Time Do I Have for Pursuing Compensation?

Generally, it can be in your best interests to seek legal advice as soon as the dog bite occurs. Most states have time limits, so-called “statutes of limitation,” that determine the time frame available for filing a lawsuit. Filing too late could see your case thrown out by a court and leave you unable to recover any compensation for your ordeal. Protect your legal rights and speak to one of our dog bite attorneys to determine the best timing for legal action in your specific case.

Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?

The days after a dog attack can be confusing, especially if you suffered significant injuries. However, it can be in your best interests to speak to a dog bite lawyer and find out about your legal rights and options. 

Fighting an insurance company without legal representation could result in leaving money on the table or having to shoulder your medical costs and other expenses on your own. Morgan & Morgan wants to help you avoid this. One of our experienced dog bite lawyers can help you in numerous ways, including but not limited to:

• Offering legal advice and guidance
• Working with investigators to collect evidence for your case
• Proving the dog owner’s negligence or recklessness 
• Determining whether the dog was generally dangerous and has harmed others
• Negotiating with the dog owner’s insurance company
• Presenting your case strongly at trial

Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after your dog attack can be crucial as there are generally time limits for filing a personal injury case. 

Morgan & Morgan Fights for Dog Bite Victims 

Apart from painful injuries and emotional scars, dog bites can leave a huge dent in your finances. Victims requiring surgeries or physical therapy after an extensive dog attack can end up with astronomical and ongoing medical bills. However, dog owners are required to keep their animals under control, especially in cases where a dog is known to be troublesome or dangerous.

If a dog owner’s negligence caused your injuries and damages, they should pay for your expenses and not you. You do not have to struggle through a potentially complicated and time-consuming dog bite lawsuit on your own. Morgan & Morgan’s determined lawyers can build a case against a negligent dog owner and leave no stone unturned in fighting for full and fair compensation on your behalf.  

We have won more than $20 billion in damages for injured clients. There are no upfront costs to work with a dog bite lawyer. Get started and contact us now for a free evaluation.