Dog Bite Liability in Terre Haute

While most people have nothing but positive interactions with others’ pets, in some cases, people can suffer serious harm. Simple interactions with pets can turn into devastating injuries if a dog suddenly attacks you or your loved one.

After suffering a severe injury in a dog attack, you might wonder how you can get compensation to pay for the cost of your injuries and other losses. Determining dog bite liability in Terre Haute can be confusing because each state has different rules regarding dog bites, which is why it is crucial to work with a knowledgeable dog attack attorney from Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.

How Does the One-Bite Rule Affect Liability?

Most people who suffer injuries in a dog attack must contend with the state’s one-bite rule. Under this standard, local dog owners are essentially allowed to avoid responsibility for one dog bite. If a dog had shown no signs of aggressive tendencies or had not bitten someone prior to biting you, the owner would not be strictly liable for the bite.

Our seasoned attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding the dog attack to see if the animal had a prior history of aggression. We can interview neighbors, groomers, veterinarians, and anyone else familiar with the dog to determine if it had previously bitten anyone or even bared its teeth and growled. If the dog had snapped at other people before, the dog’s owner should have been aware of its potentially vicious tendencies.

Dog owners who know their dogs are dangerous have an obligation to take preventive actions, such as putting the dog on a shorter leash, using a muzzle, or keeping the dog away from houseguests and visitors. If the dog’s owner fails to protect you or others in Terre Haute, they could be liable for your dog bite injuries.

Pursuing a Claim for Liability Based on the Dog Owner’s Negligence

Even if a dog in Terre Haute has no prior history of biting or aggression, its owner could still be legally responsible for a bite injury if they acted negligently or recklessly in their handling of the dog, such as failing to restrain it or letting it roam onto other people’s properties, as outlined in Indiana Code § 15-20-1-4. Dog owners should be aware of a dog’s natural propensities, as even the calmest dog can act out if it feels scared or threatened. If something provokes a dog, such as a crowd of people watching a fireworks celebration, it could become agitated and more prone to biting.

Our skilled lawyers can examine what happened and search for proof of the dog owner’s or handler’s negligence.

How To Pursue a Claim for Liability as a Government Worker

The law also recognizes that government and postal workers have a right to be on people’s land without the risk of a dog bite, with Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 outlining how owners can be liable for failing to protect such workers on their property. If a dog bites someone who is carrying out their legal duties, the dog’s owner could be legally responsible even if their pet had never bitten anyone before. Our legal team has successfully helped government workers and postal carriers obtain the justice they deserve.

Contact a Terre Haute Lawyer About Determining Dog Bite Liability

Unlike many other states, Indiana does not have a strict liability rule for most dog attacks. However, if you work with a skilled personal injury attorney, you could still establish dog bite liability in Terre Haute. We can examine what happened to you and look for the best options to establish liability. Contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin today to start building a strong claim.