Dog bites and other personal injury claims from animal attacks are unfortunately common in Maine. The injuries can range from minor to disfiguring, to death, but there is almost always a mental or emotional injury associated with this type of injury, as well.
The process of recovering from a dog bite can be difficult and complicated. Recovering financially for the damage caused can be even more challenging. You need a personal injury attorney who is experienced in these types of cases.
A Maine dog bite lawyer can provide qualified guidance and representation for you if you have been injured by an animal in Maine. Contact us today to get started.
When an animal attacks, the injuries can be more severe than even a car accident. Unfortunately, the pressure of an animal’s jaw from a bite, or its nails from mauling, can produce catastrophic injuries. Disfiguring scars are not uncommon results of a dog bite.
Other common injuries include:
You may be able to receive compensation for past and future losses, including but not limited to:
Your recovery from these injuries comes first. You should focus on your medical treatment and allow a Maine dog attack lawyer to deal with the rest.
The owner or keeper of a dog or animal is responsible for any damages they cause to a person or property. This is true even if the dog or animal had not caused any injury or damage previously.
Maine’s dog bite law appears in Section 3961 of the Maine Revised Statutes. An injured person may hold an animal’s owner liable if:
State law has different requirements depending on where the attack occurred. For example, if the attack occurred on the dog owner’s property, the injured person must show that the owner’s negligence caused the injury.
In other words, the injured person must show that the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the dog or preventing the injury.
If the injury did not occur on the owner’s property, the injured person does not need to prove that the owner was negligent. Maine’s animal injury law applies to any type of injury, not just to animal bites.
For example, if a person is knocked down by a dog that may have escaped from its leash and suffers injury, they may seek compensation, even if the dog did not bite the person.
Dog owners often have insurance coverage for dog bites or animal attacks, usually through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies.
If you’re uncertain about how to handle the case of a dog bite, calling an attorney may help. If you have an injury and the owner of the dog responsible for the bite is unavailable, won’t take responsibility for the accident, or denies accountability, a lawyer may be able to help.
If the owner is in communication with you regarding the accident and acknowledges fault, it may still be helpful to have a lawyer. An attorney may help you get the compensation from insurance that you truly deserve.
Often, pursuing a legal case on your own can you leave you under-compensated.
The experience and relationships of Mann Law are invaluable. While you work on your health, a Maine dog bite lawyer can take care of everything else to obtain the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with our firm today to get started.
