In many households across America, dogs are considered beloved family members. However, because some dogs can be territorial or aggressive towards people they do not know, they might attack without cause. Such attacks are often traumatic for the person involved and can leave them with severe injuries and property damages.
Dog bites or attacks can lead to life-altering injuries, including permanent scarring, disfigurement, and severe emotional wounds. If a dog attacked you at no fault of your own, civil laws could entitle you to collect compensation for the damages.
If you need help with your claim, a Bangor dog bite lawyer can help. Contact the dedicated attorneys at Gideon Asen LLC today to get started.
Possible Injuries in Dog Attacks
Dog bites can cause many physical and psychological injuries with lasting effects. Young children are especially susceptible because of their size and height. Some of the most common animal bite or attack injuries in civil claims include:
- Face and eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken or punctured skin and permanent scarring
- Broken bones
- Tissue and nerve damage
- Trauma / emotional effects
A Bangor dog bite attorney can investigate and help find the evidence needed to recover compensation from a negligent pet owner.
Recovering Damages After a Dog Bite
A dog bite civil claim could result in payment within two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover verifiable monetary losses such as work pay, lost future earning potential, and related medical expenses.
Non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses, such as mental pain and anguish, physical pain and suffering, inconvenience, and the loss of enjoyment of life. The latter could also cover permanent disfigurement if necessary. A dog attack attorney is familiar with these categories of compensation and can help an injured party create a comprehensive claim for damages in Bangor.
The Strict Liability Rule After Animal Attacks
A strict liability rule in this state protects the injured party following a dog bite or an animal attack. Strict liability means that if the attack did not occur on the dog owner’s property, the plaintiff does not need to prove that the pet owner was negligent.
According to Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 § 3961-A, the claimant may hold a dog owner financially accountable if their dog causes damages to another person, their property, or both. However, the plaintiff must not have caused or contributed to the attack. A Bangor attorney can answer questions on civil law statutes that may apply in a specific dog attack case.
Time Limit to File a Claim After a Dog Bite or Attack
After suffering injuries in an animal attack, there is a time frame in which the claimant may file a lawsuit for damages. Under the Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, § 752, the claimant must commence legal action within six years of the animal attack.
Failing to file a lawsuit within the statute’s guidelines could mean losing the eligibility to recover compensation for damages. Because of this time frame, it is vital to contact a Bangor attorney as soon as possible following a dog attack as the evidence is more readily available.
Meet With a Qualified Bangor Dog Bite Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered harm from an aggressive dog, you have the legal right to hold the pet owner financially accountable. An award amount could cover all medical expenses related to the dog bite, the loss of pay while at home recovering, and mental pain and anguish.
An award for damages could help you get back on your feet. Contact a Bangor dog bite lawyer at Gideon Asen LLC for more information or to schedule a consultation.
