Bangor Dog Bite Lawyer

Many Maine residents suffer serious injuries from dog bites each year. Fortunately, state law grants you as the injured victim the right to seek fair financial restitution from negligent owners who fail to keep their pets under control.

However, achieving a positive outcome in these types of cases can be difficult without skilled legal guidance from an experienced attorney.

At Mann Law, a Bangor dog bite attorney could advise you throughout the process of recovering from your losses. Our team has a track record of successfully helping injury victims obtain the resources they need to move forward with their lives.

What to Do After a Dog Attack

• Immediately tend to the wound to reduce infection & seek medical attention. Even if wounds sustained from a dog bite do not seem particularly deep or painful, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. In addition to ensuring that any damage can be diagnosed and properly treated, professional care after a dog attack can be vital to minimize the risk of infection.
• Exchange contact information with the dog owner. This will be important information when pursuing damages from the owner and their insurance company. Obtaining contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident can also help in building a potential claim for compensation.
• Document evidence. It is also a good idea to take photos or videos of injuries and document the area where the animal attack occurred. An experienced attorney at Mann Law could further advise on collecting evidence after a dog attack in Bangor.
• Contact Animal Control. Animal control should be contacted to investigate the dog attack. They will document what occurred as well as help to enforce all state and local laws regarding muzzling or quarantine requirements of the animal. Information on Bangor’s Animal Control can be found here.
• Call a lawyer. It is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after an animal attack. Generally, ME Rev. Stat. Title 14, §752 grants injured individuals six years after sustaining injury to pursue civil litigation, although there are some exceptions. A dog bite lawyer at our firm could work to build a strong claim within the statutory window.
• Document ongoing medical pain and injury recovery. Compensable damages in a dog bite claim may include economic losses like medical bills and lost work income. You as a dog attack victim may also recover various non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and lost enjoyment of life due to disability or disfigurement.

Seeking Compensation for Dog Bite Damages

Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 7, §3961, a dog owner is liable for any injuries their pet causes to you through any means while the animal is off the owner’s property.

If an attack occurs on the dog owner’s property, you as the injured person and your lawyer must prove the owner failed to demonstrate reasonable care in restraining their dog or otherwise preventing injury.

Dangerous Dog Law in Bangor

Maine’s dangerous dog law, established by Maine Revised Statutes Section 3952-A, takes the question of liability a step further.

This law notes that dogs who meet certain conditions will be classified as dangerous by the state, meaning that the dog’s owner may face additional consequences should the animal cause harm to another person.

More specifically, Maine’s law notes that a dog who bites someone who is not trespassing on the owner’s property and who either causes an injury or instills a fear of assault in the victim may be considered dangerous by the state.

These “dangerous” dogs may face additional courtroom consequences, including mandatory muzzling or semi-permanent restraint.

Dog owners who do not protect the public from dogs classified as dangerous may also face $1,000 in fines on top of other accident fees.

A local attorney well-versed in dog attack cases at Mann Law may be able to further explain these laws and penalties.

Laws Governing Dog Bite Claims in Bangor

Notably, a person found primarily at fault for causing their own dog bite injury may not be able to recover compensation for their losses.

To deflect liability, a dog owner may argue that the injured victim provoked or taunted the animal, trespassed on the property, or acted irresponsibly.

The skilled lawyers at Mann Law could fight back against these claims to help preserve a dog bite victim’s right to pursue damages.

Talk to a Bangor Dog Bite Attorney at Mann Law

Being attacked by a dog is a frightening and traumatic experience, especially if it results in serious physical injury.

If you suffered harm because of another person’s pet, taking proactive legal action against them could be vital to protecting your long-term interests.

As your Maine dog bite legal representation, Mann Law will communicate with your healthcare providers to ensure bills are taken care of and that the settlement or lawsuit process is clearly understood by those involved.

At our firm, we work regularly with adjusters and insurance companies so you don’t have to.

With a cumulative of 50+ years experience, Mann Law has valuable insight into navigating the personal injury claim process. This procedure can be difficult to explore independent of a Maine dog bite lawyer, and we are here to help.

It is important to keep in mind that during the claims process, insurance companies may try to suggest you’re at fault. Our lawyers have experience handling this type of situation and can help ensure your story isn’t twisted against you.

We also perform thorough investigations into your personal injury claim and consult with Maine experts. We can help determine the full impact of the dog bite from financial implications to injury.

While you work on getting better, we take care of everything. Mann Law is a statewide firm with satellite offices for easy accessibility. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can advocate for you.