A dog bite can be severely traumatizing. If you’ve been the victim of one, a Topeka personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
In addition to permanent scars, a dog bite can result in costly medical bills and time away from work. That’s where a dog bite attorney comes in.
The legal team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers has won over $1 billion for our clients. If you’ve been bitten by someone else’s dog, a dog bite lawyer in Topeka can help you secure compensation for your injuries.
How Can a Topeka Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
If someone else’s dog bites you, an attorney can help by:
- Investigating your case: A lawyer can gather evidence such as medical records, photos of injuries, and witness statements to build a robust case.
- Determining liability: A lawyer can use evidence to identify whether the dog owner, landlord, or another party is responsible for the bite.
- Negotiating with insurers: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. An attorney can push back and demand a fair settlement.
- Taking your case to court: If settlement negotiations fail, your lawyer can represent you at trial and fight for fair compensation.
Without legal help, many injury victims settle for less than they deserve. A Topeka dog bite lawyer can make sure you aren’t left paying out of pocket for your injuries.
What Is the Average Payout for a Dog Bite Claim?
Since every case is different, there is no average payout for a dog bite. Some victims receive a few thousand dollars, while others obtain six-figure settlements. Your claim’s value will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.
A Topeka dog bite attorney can make sure you’re fairly compensated.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the costs of ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up treatments related to the bite.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek reimbursement for lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for the physical pain and emotional trauma you’ve endured due to the attack.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Dog bites often leave permanent marks, which can increase your settlement value.
- Punitive damages: If the dog owner acted with gross negligence or willful disregard, you may be awarded additional damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Kansas?
Kansas law gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely, which is why it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
How Do I Prove Negligence?
To win a dog bite case, you must prove that the owner was negligent. To establish negligence, you must establish the following:
- The dog’s owner had a duty to prevent the animal from harming others.
- The owner breached that duty.
- That breach caused your injuries.
- You suffered actual damages.
Evidence such as prior complaints about the dog, witness testimony, and animal control reports can strengthen your case. A lawyer can gather this evidence on your behalf.
Who Pays for a Dog Bite?
Most dog bite settlements are paid through homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies. If the dog owner has coverage, their insurer is typically responsible for compensating you.
If the dog owner doesn’t have insurance, you may need to pursue a lawsuit against them to recover damages. In rare cases, a landlord or property manager could also be held liable if they knew about a dangerous dog and failed to act.
Is It Worth It to Sue for a Dog Bite?
Every case is different, but suing for a dog bite is often worth it. Medical treatment for dog bites can be extremely expensive, and even a minor bite can leave lasting scars. If you don’t take legal action, you may be stuck covering your medical costs yourself.
What Is the Dog Bite Rule in Kansas?
Under Kansas’s “one-bite rule,” a dog owner may only be held strictly liable if they knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous. For example, if the dog had previously bitten or acted aggressively, the owner could be held responsible for not restraining it.
Even without prior incidents, you can still pursue a negligence claim if the owner failed to act reasonably with regard to controlling their dog.
What to Do If a Dog Bites You
If you’re bitten by a dog, take the following steps to start building a strong case:
- Document everything: Take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the location of the attack.
- Get witness information: Collect the names and contact details of anyone who saw the incident.
- Seek medical attention: Even small bites can lead to infections, which is why it’s important to get treated right away.
- Report the bite: Contact Topeka Animal Control or local authorities to file an official report.
- Avoid talking to insurance adjusters: The insurance company may try to minimize your claim. Speak with a lawyer first.
- Contact an attorney: The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case will be.
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney in Topeka
A dog bite can cause serious injuries and psychological trauma, but you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. A Topeka dog bite attorney from Foster Wallace can investigate the incident, build a strong case, and help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.
