Dog Bites

Were you attacked by a dog? Know that you are not alone. According to the Center for Disease Control, dog bites occur every seventy-five seconds in the United States resulting in the emergency care of more than 1,000 people each day. Such attacks cause serious injuries and mental trauma. If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog it’s important to know your rights. At Anzalone Law Firm our personal injury team can help you determine whether you are eligible for legal reparations.

Who is at fault when an individual is attacked by a dog? All too often dog bite victims fail to pursue legal action because they feel that it may be difficult to prove negligence. However, unlike some states, New Hampshire’s dog bite laws are favorable towards victims. In fact, the state has a strict liability law that automatically holds dog owners responsible for the harm that they’re pet inflicts during “mischievous acts or vicious attacks”. The state’s dog bite laws also cover injuries that were sustained indirectly from a pet. For instance, if a dog damages your property or scares you causing you to severely injure yourself the dog owner can be held accountable.

The strict liability law applies under a wide range of circumstances. Dog owners are liable even if the victim could have prevented the attack and if it occurred in a private or public setting. Even if you were on the dog’s owner's property when the incident occurred, in most cases the owners are still liable. Under the strict liability theory, the victim is not required to prove negligence on part of the dog owner or that the owner had prior knowledge of.

There are instances in which the strict liability dog bite law isn’t applicable such as if the victim was trespassing on the owner’s property or if a civil crime was being committed at the time of the attack.

What if the attack was a result of someone else’s negligence? Well, the strict liability dog bite law applies only to the dog’s owners. In this case, the statue does not apply. However, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. In this event, you will have to prove that reasonable care wasn’t provided to ensure your safety. Providing proof that the plaintiff was aware of the dog’s capability of harming someone can also be helpful. In such cases, acquiring the help of a New Hampshire dog bite lawyer is crucial.

Tissue loss, abrasions, fractured bones and scarring are just some of the physical injuries that result from dog bites. In addition, such attacks can cause anxiety and have a lasting effecting on a person’s mental well-being. If you were harmed by a dog you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and recover damages that have resulted from the attack. Compensation will cover your medical bills and you will also be able to recover income that you lost due to not being able to a work for a specified period.

In a dog bite case, you should seek help from a highly skilled New Hampshire dog bite attorney. Such cases may seem clear-cut and relatively easy to win but there are several conditions in the law. Here at Anzalone Law Firm, we can help you navigate the legal system and secure compensation for your pain and suffering.

Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. You can also leave your name and number in the contact form on this website. Our experienced New Hampshire attorney, Michael Anzalone is dedicated to fighting for you.