A large majority of households and families in the United States have at least one pet. People own a wide variety of pets, including cats, hamsters, fish, lizards, birds, gerbils, and horses. However, the most common pets in both Mississippi and the rest of the country are dogs. Many people treasure their canine pals and often consider them part of their families. Unfortunately, dogs sometimes attack people.
If a dog attacked you, you should meet with a Jackson dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal rights. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could help you learn what steps you should take in pursuing a lawsuit.
Dog attacks can leave people with long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial scars.
Dog attacks most frequently include bites. When a dog bites a person, the bites can do a lot of physical damage. Bites can cause:
Because children are so much smaller and have no fears about sticking their faces right up into a dog’s face, they frequently suffer bites to their heads, necks, and faces. These bites can lead to extensive facial scarring and disfigurement. If a dog attacks a pedestrian or a person riding a bike, they might also suffer other injuries from being knocked off their bike or pushed to the ground, such as:
Large dogs can also cause crush injuries, especially in smaller people, such as kids.
Dog attacks often lead to serious psychological trauma. Survivors of vicious animal attacks frequently experience emotional difficulties. They might find it hard to cope with their physical limitations. People with extensive facial scarring might become withdrawn, depressed, or agitated. The mere sight of a dog could terrify some attack survivors. They might need extensive therapy to address their needs.
Dog attack survivors often have costly medical bills. If they have to take time away from work, they might have no way to pay those bills.
A successful resolution of a legal claim against the dog’s owner could be crucial to helping a dog bite survivor move forward. The likelihood of a positive case outcome is much more probable with the guidance of an experienced Jackson dog bite attorney.
Sadly, Mississippi courts are not favorable to dog bite survivors.
Under state law, a dog owner is strictly liable for the injuries that their dog inflicts on a person in only specific circumstances. Even if the dog had no prior history of aggressive behavior, an owner would be strictly liable if the owner either failed to keep their dog under reasonable control or their dog was running at large. If the dog bite survivor provoked the dog or if the dog was confined in a cage or kennel, the owner would likely not be liable.
In most other circumstances, a dog bite survivor would need to prove that the owner knew or should have known that their dog was likely to bite somebody. According to the state’s one free bite rule, owners can assume their dog is harmless until they show otherwise. Only a dog’s first bite may prove the animal is a danger to others, and the owner would not be liable for injuries a person suffers if it is the first time their dog bit someone. The one free bite rule even applies if the bite occurred on the dog owner’s property.
Because of these rules, it is critical to work with a dog bite lawyer in Jackson who understands the local laws and could work hard to prove a dog owner’s liability.
If you survived a dog attack, you most likely have a lot on your plate. In addition to working on your physical and emotional healing, you are probably losing sleep worrying about how to pay your bills. Act now by getting in touch with a seasoned Jackson dog bite lawyer today.
Our qualified team of legal professionals could investigate the attack and help you prove why the dog’s owner is legally responsible for your injuries. Let them help you heal. Make an appointment with Reaves Law Firm, PLLC today.