New Haven Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Statistics show that every year, more and more people report being bitten by an aggressive dog. Dog bites are traumatic events leading to serious injuries, and multiple deaths are reported each year as a result of the most vicious attacks. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in New Haven are aware that dog owners and handlers have a duty to keep their dogs from harming others. When they fail to do so, they can be held financially accountable for any injuries and losses their dog causes. If you have any questions regarding your legal rights and options after suffering a dog bite injury in New Haven, please contact Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante today.

Our Firm’s Approach to a New Haven Dog Bite Injury

At the law offices of Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante in New Haven, Connecticut, we represent individuals who have suffered personal injury in a dog bite or animal attack caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Our skilled New Haven personal injury lawyers hold negligent parties accountable for dog bite and animal attack incidents, and we will fight to get you and your family the maximum recovery for your case.

Common Animal Bite Injuries

Dog attacks represent some of the most gruesome personal injuries that a person can suffer. Often a dog bite will result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and a significant risk of infection. In addition, most dog bite victims, especially children, suffer psychological damage that lasts well beyond the physical injuries.

Connecticut’s Dog Bite Statute

State laws regarding dog bites generally fall into one of two categories: strict liability or the one-bite rule. In states that follow the one-bite rule, an owner can only be held liable for a dog bite if the animal has a history of violent behavior. Under strict liability, the owner is always liable for a bite, regardless of prior knowledge.

Connecticut General Statutes section 22-357 governs dog bite claims in the state. Like many parts of the United States, Connecticut follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that a dog’s owner is always liable for a victim’s bite injuries under the following circumstances:

The dog injured a person or his or her property.
The injured person was not trespassing at the time of the attack.
The injured person was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in New Haven

Under Connecticut’s dog bite statute, dog owners and handlers can be held strictly liable for any bodily injuries or property damage their dog causes another person to suffer, unless that person was trespassing or teasing the dog or engaged in some other wrongdoing. This is regardless of any negligence on the part of the dog owner or handler.

In addition, you may bring a negligence claim against any other party, such as a landlord, whose negligence led or contributed to your dog bite injuries and losses. But, in this case, you will need to prove that the defendant knew or should have known that the dog was vicious.

By filing a lawsuit against the animal’s owner, you can recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses that you suffered due to the attack. Below are some of the most common damages that victims claim in dog bite lawsuits:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages during your recovery period
Loss of future earnings and benefits, if applicable
Property damage that you sustained in the attack
Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Depression and anxiety
Loss of quality of life

Why You Need a Dog Bite Attorney in New Haven, CT

The moments after a dog bite can be frustrating, and you may not know what to do next. In these situations, you need a lawyer who can advocate for your best interests and fight for your right to maximum compensation.

By hiring a dog bite attorney from Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, you will have access to someone who understands the complexity of these claims. Your attorney will help you navigate each stage of litigation and provide several important benefits to support your right to recovery:

Knowledge of the Legal Process: Your lawyer will understand Connecticut dog bite laws and the steps that you will need to take to file a lawsuit. He or she will handle these matters on your behalf so that you can focus on treatment and recovery.
Time and Resources to Investigate Your Case: After a dog attack, you may not have the ability to conduct a full investigation into the incident. Your attorney will have the time and resources to investigate your case and gather relevant evidence to craft a compelling case in your favor.
Ability to Anticipate Defenses: There are several common defenses that dog owners can deploy in order to avoid liability for a bite, such as claims that you were trespassing or provoking the animal. Your lawyer will be able to prepare for these defenses and gather evidence to establish your right to compensation.
Ability to Calculate a Settlement: Determining your settlement in a dog bite case can be very complex, especially if you do not have prior experience. Your lawyer will explore all potential avenues to compensation and provide you with an accurate estimation of your award. He or she will also evaluate any offers that you receive to ensure that they are sufficient.

What To Do After Suffering a New Haven Dog Bite Injury

Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience and lead to serious injuries. Here are some important guidelines to remember should you or a loved one be bitten by a dog:

Immediately clean the wound with soap and water to rid the wound of dog saliva and potentially harmful bacteria.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Dogs can carry diseases like Rabies, and serious infections can result if a dog bite is left untreated.
If possible, obtain as much information about the dog as you can, such as the name of the dog owner and a copy of the dog’s vaccination records. If this is not possible, try to remember the size, color, breed, or any other details that will help identify the dog later. If there are witnesses, obtain their contact information as well.
Take photographs of your wound to document your injury.
Report the incident to animal control and the police department.
Contact a personal injury attorney with significant experience handling dog bite injury cases. An experienced attorney can assist you in gathering important evidence and can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your dog bite injury claim.

If you are contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company, do not answer any questions without first speaking with your attorney. Simply write down the name of the insurance company, the claim number, and contact information, and then share this information with your attorney.

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Call Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante if you need representation in a New Haven dog bite case, and we will schedule an appointment with you as soon as possible and at your convenience. We offer a free consultation and charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Don’t wait. If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite in Connecticut, it is crucial that you call our law firm today at 203-800-7343, toll-free at 888-692-7403 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an experienced Connecticut dog bite injury lawyer.