MOBILE DOG BITE ATTORNEY

Every move you make following a bite matters, for your health and for your case. After an attack:

• Get medical care immediately. Dog bites can cause infections, deep lacerations, nerve damage, and hidden complications like rabies exposure or crushed tissue.
• Report the attack to local authorities or Mobile Animal Control.
• Document everything: photos of wounds, torn clothing, the location of the attack, and the dog involved.
• Get witness information, especially if neighbors, delivery workers, or bystanders saw what happened.
• Avoid confrontation with the dog’s owner, as many may become defensive or attempt to shift blame.
• Speak with an attorney before giving statements to insurers.

Prompt medical and legal action protects both your health and your legal claim.

Yes. In Alabama, dog owners can be held legally responsible when their dog injures someone. The law applies whether the attack occurs on public property or when you are lawfully on private property, including when you are invited into a home, deliver packages, or perform job duties.

Owners may be liable when:

• The dog bites someone without provocation
• The dog has a history of aggression
• The owner failed to restrain, leash, or control the animal
• The owner violated local Mobile leash laws
• The victim was a child unable to defend themselves

Even if the dog had never attacked anyone before, you may still have a claim depending on the circumstances.

Alabama’s dog bite statute places responsibility on dog owners, but the state doesn’t follow strict liability in the same way some other states do. Instead:

• Owners are liable when their dog injures someone on public property or when the victim is lawfully on private property.
• Owners may argue a “lack of prior knowledge” if the dog never showed signs of aggression, but this does not automatically eliminate their liability.
• Provocation, trespassing, or ignoring posted warning signs may affect the claim.

Even with these nuances, Alabama law generally favors victims, but insurance adjusters often use these gray areas to deny or reduce claims. A lawyer can help clarify exactly how the statute applies to your situation.

Dog attacks cause more than surface wounds. Victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency room visits and medical treatment
• Surgical procedures, including reconstructive surgery
• Infection treatment and antibiotics
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Physical therapy and long-term care
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and permanent disfigurement
• Emotional trauma, anxiety, or PTSD
• Psychological care for children experiencing fear or nightmares

When a child is attacked, compensation often accounts for long-term consequences such as facial scarring or chronic emotional distress.

Dog bites can cause severe and lasting harm, including:

• Deep puncture wounds
• Torn skin, muscle, or ligaments
• Nerve damage
• Broken bones from being knocked down
• Facial injuries requiring surgery
• Infections (including MRSA or rabies concerns)
• Long-term scarring
• Emotional trauma or fear of animals

Children typically suffer head, face, and neck injuries because they’re closer to a dog’s height, making early legal action especially important.

There is a limited window to file a lawsuit, and missing that deadline can prevent you from recovering anything. The exact time allowed depends on the type of claim and circumstances, but the safest approach is to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Early action ensures:

• Medical records are documented thoroughly
• Evidence is preserved
• Witness testimony is fresh
• The dog owner cannot dispute the timeline
• Insurance companies cannot delay until your window closes

If you think you’re running out of time, we can confirm your deadline immediately.

If you were attacked on public property, such as sidewalks, parks, apartment complexes, or outside a home, the dog owner is typically responsible. Mobile city leash laws and local ordinances require owners to control their animals in public areas.

You may also have a claim if:

• A landlord knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog
• A property owner ignored prior complaints
• A business failed to maintain safe premises where the dog was allowed

These cases often involve multiple liable parties.

Absolutely. Alabama law strongly protects minors, especially in cases involving traumatic injuries.

Compensation for children may include:

• Medical bills
• Future surgeries
• Plastic or reconstructive procedures
• Emotional and psychological treatment
• Scarring and disfigurement damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Long-term trauma or phobias

Parents may also recover damages for medical costs and related expenses.

Often, yes. Many dog bite claims, even those involving severe injuries, are paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies. Coverage may depend on:

• The dog breed (some insurers exclude certain breeds)
• Whether the attack occurred on or off the property
• The policy limits
• Whether the dog had a documented history of aggression

An attorney can examine the dog owner’s insurance situation and identify all available compensation sources.

Strong dog bite cases rely on:

• Medical records and photographs of injuries
• Witness statements
• Animal control or police reports
• Documentation of prior aggressive behavior
• Videos, doorbell footage, or surveillance
• Evidence of leash law violations
• Statements from neighbors or delivery workers
• Records of the dog being allowed to roam freely

The sooner this evidence is collected, the stronger the case becomes.

There are no upfront costs to hire Morgan & Morgan. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• You pay nothing up front
• You pay nothing out of pocket
• You only pay if we win your case
• The Fee Is Free®.

If a child is injured, parents should:

• Seek emergency medical treatment
• Take photos of the injuries before and after treatment
• Report the attack to the authorities
• Get the dog’s vaccination records (if available)
• Document emotional changes, nightmares, fear, or anxiety
• Contact an attorney before speaking to any insurer

Children often face lifelong impacts from dog attacks, and compensation should reflect those long-term needs.

Even if no bite has occurred yet, persistent aggressive behavior is a warning sign. You can:

• Document each incident
• Report the dog to Animal Control
• Ask neighbors to share statements or documentation
• Notify your HOA or property management
• Speak with an attorney if a bite eventually happens

Prior complaints can significantly strengthen a future claim.

Dog bite cases require a thorough understanding of Alabama law, complex insurance issues, and the emotional weight these attacks carry, especially when a child is hurt. When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you get:

• A team experienced in Alabama dog bite law
• Access to investigators and medical experts
• The resources of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm
• Representation with no upfront costs or financial risk
• A track record of recovering significant compensation for dog bite victims across the country

If you or your child were attacked by a dog in Mobile, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Start with a free case evaluation, and let us fight for the justice and recovery you deserve.