Although most dogs are loyal companions who improve the lives of their owners, some can lash out and attack friends and family members without warning. If you’ve been bitten by a friend or stranger’s animal, you may be able to file an insurance claim for compensation.
At Zinda Law Group, we know how traumatizing a dog bite incident can be. That’s why our Las Cruces dog bite attorneys are here to offer the comprehensive representation you need to recover financial remedies. We’ll push for a settlement that covers your medical expenses and helps you cope with the psychological impacts of the attack.
Types of Dog Bite Incidents Our Team Can File a Claim After
There are many situations that can lead to a dog attack. Our Las Cruces personal injury lawyers have helped a number of dog bite victims recover from their injuries. As a result, they have the experience necessary to investigate and file a claim for an attack caused by any of the following factors:
Provocation
If a dog is provoked or taunted by a person, it may become aggressive and attack. If a dog bit you after you provoked it, it might be harder to seek compensation than it would be if the dog lashed out at you for a reason that wasn’t under your control.
That said, you should still consult with a dog bite lawyer from Las Cruces to learn more about your legal options. There’s always a chance that you’ll be able to recover at least partial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Protection
Dogs may also attack a person if they feel that the individual is endangering their owner or invading their territory. If you were bitten by a dog who was protecting its home or owner, you might have grounds for an insurance claim.
Horseplay
Some dogs can get carried away when playing with humans and exhibit aggressive behavior. If you were bitten by a dog that you were playing with, you might be entitled to financial remedies. An experienced Las Cruces dog bite attorney can look into your accident and determine what your best course of action is.
Wild or Rabid Dog
Neglected, untrained, or rabid dogs are prone to attacking humans who are unaware of the animal’s dangerous status. If you were bitten by a wild dog or a dog that was neglected by its owners, you might be able to recover damages by filing a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Las Cruces, call 800-863-5312
Dog Bite Injuries that a Las Cruces Lawyer Can Help You Seek Remedies for
Depending on the severity of the dog attack, you could be dealing with a mild skin wound or more serious damage. Like any other injury, you’ll want to seek treatment for your dog bite as soon as possible to safeguard your health and prevent further complications.
Once you’ve received the treatment you need, you should reach out to an attorney to help you with your claim. They’ll be able to seek the financial remedies you need to cover your medical bills and any treatment expenses you incur in the future. Our team can refer to your medical records and bills to get the compensation you need to cover treatment for:
- Puncture wound
- Muscle damage
- Capnocytophaga infection
- Nerve damage
- Rabies
- Eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Face injuries
As you can see from the common dog bite injuries listed above, there are a number of serious conditions that can result from an attack. Fortunately, our Las Cruces dog bite lawyers are here to help you get the care you need to recover from your injury, no matter how serious it may be.
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How an Attorney Can Establish Liability
To recover the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses and other losses, a dog bite lawyer from Las Cruces must prove that the dog owner should be held liable for the incident. An attorney may establish liability by:
Satisfying the “One Bite” Rule
To satisfy the “One Bite” rule, your attorney must prove that the dog had bit someone else in the past, establishing that the owner had knowledge that the dog was capable of violence and aggression. If the dog in question doesn’t have a history of biting, your attorney can also use evidence that shows the animal has acted aggressively toward others in the past.
Negligence
You may also hold the dog owner liable for negligence or, in other words, failing to take reasonable actions to prevent their dog from biting you. Whether our team decides that filing a claim based on the “One Bite” rule or dog owner negligence is your best path forward, we’ll work tirelessly to prove liability and recover fair compensation.
Compensation Available to Dog Bite Victims
If your attorney is able to prove liability, you’ll likely receive compensation for your accident-related losses. To obtain the correct amount of compensation, our team can refer to your medical bills and perform special calculations to determine how much you’re owed for intangible losses like emotional distress.
Our Las Cruces dog bite attorneys will work hard to identify all available forms of compensation and obtain the highest payment possible for your losses. If your claim is successful, you could receive a number of life-changing damages, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
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What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, there are a few steps you should take before reaching out to our dog bite attorneys in Las Cruces. Make sure to take the following actions to prioritize your health and improve your chances of receiving compensation from a claim:
- Seek medical attention
- Take down the dog owner’s name, contact information, and insurance details
- File a dog bite report with the animal control office in Las Cruces
- Write down details from the event, such as the breed of the dog and how the incident occurred
- Take photos of your injuries
- Keep a written log describing the pain and emotional distress you experience
- Get in touch with an attorney ASAP
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Don’t Wait to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney
Once you’ve taken the action listed above, you won’t want to wait too long before hiring a lawyer. That’s because the state of New Mexico has a statute of limitations that applies to all dog bite and animal attack suits. A statute of limitations is a filing deadline that you must submit your suit before or risk losing your right to compensation.
According to the statute, you have three years from the date of the dog attack to file a civil suit against the owner. To avoid jeopardizing your case, we recommend reaching out to our dog bite lawyers in Las Cruces as soon after the incident as possible. That way, our team will have ample time to investigate the attack, build a solid claim, and take other necessary actions.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Las Cruces Dog Bite Attorney
Getting started on your claim is as easy as scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation with a Las Cruces dog bite lawyer from Zinda Law Group. To do so, contact us, and we’ll schedule a meeting between you and a seasoned attorney at a time that fits your schedule.
When you meet with a lawyer from our firm, they’ll ask you about your accident, injuries, and the losses you’ve suffered due to the incident. If they find that you’re eligible to file a claim or civil suit, they’ll fight relentlessly for the outcome you need to get your life back on track.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), JOE CAPUTO (2019-2021), BURGESS WILLIAMS (2019-2020), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020), JOE CAPUTO (2016 – 2020) & BURGESS WILLIAMS (2016-2017)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA & JOE CAPUTO
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