Attorney
Dogs may be man’s best friends, but they are also capable of causing significant harm. Dog attacks and bites often produce emotional trauma in addition to physical wounds. Unfortunately, the emergency department visit rates for dog-bite injuries are highest for children.
If you are one of the more than 4.7 million people in the U.S. affected by dog bites yearly, you might wonder if you should get a lawyer for a dog bite. Dog bite cases are challenging to handle without the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.
Why Should You Get a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Injury?
You deserve compensation if a dog bites you or your child. Each state handles dog bite cases differently. For example, Virginia follows a one-bite rule, Washington, D.C. uses negligence as a basis for these cases, and Maryland imposes strict liability to hold a dog’s owner accountable.
You must prove certain facts to be eligible to seek compensation. Finding substantiating evidence often requires an investigation, and most people are not equipped to handle this task.
In addition, insurance companies do not like paying claims. They often use various tactics and strategies to minimize payouts. They might:
- Make intentionally low initial settlement offers
- Try to claim that you provoked the dog to attack
- State that your injuries and their effects are not as serious as you claim
- Trick you into admitting fault or signing legal documents that damage your claim
- Deny your claim outright
Our team of skilled attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, are adept at handling these challenges. We possess the necessary resources and experience to meticulously gather evidence that supports your claim.
Why Are Dog Bites So Serious?
Dog bites can inflict severe physical wounds that are highly susceptible to infection. The risk of rabies is also a significant concern, further highlighting the seriousness of dog bite incidents. These bites can also cause physical impairments.
The damages in dog bite cases are often high, making insurance companies even more reluctant to pay claims. People who get a lawyer for a dog bite typically obtain substantially more compensation than those who handle their claims alone.
The emotional and psychological effects of dog bites can lead to a life-long fear of dogs and other negative impacts on your quality of life, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scars or disfigurement
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Losing the ability to enjoy life
- Damage to social and personal relationships
While getting insurance companies to pay for economic expenses like medical bills and lost wages is difficult, convincing them to pay for these non-economic damages is even harder unless you have legal representation.
Why Should You Get a Lawyer from Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, for a Dog Bite Injury?
The attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP, are competent, experienced, and compassionate. Over our firm’s 40-year history, we have recovered over $1 billion for those who trusted us to represent them. Whether you are in Virginia, D.C., or Maryland, we want to help.
Contact us today to request your free case consultation if you need a lawyer for a dog bite injury. We will not charge any fees unless we recover compensation for you.