Maine Dog Bite Lawyers
Attorneys serving Waterville, Portland and communities throughout the state
Dog bites happen every year in Maine. A dog attack can be frightening and leave you seriously injured. Under the concept of premises liability, dog owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you hold negligent dog owners accountable.
Most dog bites are minor, but more serious bites can cause extensive injuries and require surgery. Many victims, especially children and people who had a fear of dogs before the bite incident, can suffer serious and lingering psychological effects. The lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC help dog bite victims recover financial compensation.
The parts of the body that are most commonly bit are the hand, head and neck and trunk. A bite actually consists of one or more of several types of injury to the victim:
- Punctures
- Tearing or ripping (“avulsion”)
- Lacerations or scratches
- Crushing
- Abrasions
Dog bite wounds tend to consist of roughly equal numbers of abrasions, punctures and lacerations. There may or may not be avulsion of tissue.
Our personal injury lawyers build strong cases that get results
A serious dog bite injury can be a serious burden to both the victim and the family. That’s especially true if the victim is a child and faces lengthy surgeries and rehabilitation for facial injuries. Medical bills mount quickly and victims can experience extreme anxiety. Adults who are attacked may be forced to miss time from work.
Maine’s approach to dog bite liability depends on whether the animal was on the owner’s or keeper’s property at the time of the bite. If it was, you must prove that the bite resulted from negligence. If the dog was off that property, however, Maine imposes strict liability, with no need to establish a specific act of negligence.
Victims of dog bites can recover all the economic damages suffered as a result of the dog bite. These damages include current medical bills, future medical bills and any lost income. Any property that was damaged, including your clothing, can also be compensated. Noneconomic damages can also be recovered under the right circumstances, including punitive damages and damages for pain and suffering.
Insurance companies may challenge your claim. They deny liability or try to minimize the damages. Their lawyers may raise questions about whether someone really was the owner or keeper of the dog, or question whether the dog was on the owner’s property at the time of the bite.
Call the personal injury lawyers who never back down
Our lawyers are very familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to try to limit your compensation. Our legal team investigates your dog attack to get the facts. We review police reports and medical records, as well as any video evidence. We identify and interview witnesses. We build a strong case that insurance companies can’t ignore.
Many times, we can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that meets your needs. Our firm has been helping the injured since 1979. We are committed to helping clients get the best possible outcome.
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. Our offices are in Waterville and Portland.