Lake & Porter County Animal Attack Lawyers
If you or your child has suffered a dog bite injury, there are immediate steps you should take to protect yourself. These include getting medical attention, identifying the dog and its owner, and calling animal control. To protect your right to full compensation for medical bills and other damages, you should also contact a lawyer.
At Dugan, Repay & Rybicki, P.C., in St. John, our Northwest Indiana accident attorneys represent personal injury victims in Lake and Porter County and northern Indiana cities such as Merrillville, Hammond, Gary, Crown Point, East Chicago and Schererville. We offer a free initial consultation to explain your rights and options.
Is the Dog's Owner Responsible?
Liability for dog bite injuries in Indiana is complex. If the person who is attacked is a mail carrier or in a place where they are required to be to discharge a duty, the dog's owner is automatically responsible. In other cases, the dog's owner may not be responsible if the dog had not bitten anyone before and the dog's owner exercised reasonable care. A lawyer's help may be needed to establish liability.
Who Pays Damages in Dog Bite Cases?
Damages in dog bites cases are usually covered by the homeowners insurance of the dog's owner. Damages may include such things as:
- Immediate medical care
- Future cosmetic surgery to remove or minimize scars, especially on visible areas such as the face or hands
- Counseling to overcome fear of dogs
- Pain and suffering
Some of the most serious dog bite injuries involve children who suffer bite wounds to the face. These injuries can cause disfiguring scars and emotional trauma that can take years to overcome.
For More Information About Dog Bites
For more information or to schedule a free consultation with our Lake County and Porter County dog bite lawyers, call (219) 227-4266 or fill out the contact form on this website.
