Dog bites can cause serious physical injuries, often leaving victims to navigate complex medical treatments and recovery. If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries from a liable party, such as the dog’s owner. However, understanding your legal options and the steps to take can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with an aggressive animal and its owner.Â
At Hollis Law Firm, we have over 15 years of experience assisting victims, such as those who have suffered serious dog bite injuries in Overland Park, to pursue justice and compensation. Our firm is committed to providing guidance and support throughout the legal process. Our goal is to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve while providing compassionate and professional legal guidance. Please contact us to retain our support and collect fair compensation.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
After a dog bite, taking careful and calculated steps forward is essential, especially if you want to obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. We have several recommendations you can use to streamline more of your legal matters, including the following:
- Seek medical attention immediately to ensure injuries are properly assessed and treated. This will allow doctors to make care recommendations, making healing easier and less stressful during legal matters. Getting treatment for your injuries and listening to doctors will help your case and may boost your compensation.Â
- Collect evidence such as pay stubs, repair costs, medical records, photos, witness statements, and physical information. If you cannot collect this information, an attorney from Hollis Law Firm can help conduct an independent investigation and obtain evidence on your behalf.
- Stay offline and log out of any social media accounts you may be tempted to use. Posting on social media, including text, photos, and videos, may reduce your control over your claim. Please refrain from posting, even if the content does not feel related to the case.
- Avoid discussing legal matters with others, including friends and family. Even talking about your case with strangers could mean you lose control over sensitive information. Instead, we only recommend discussing your case with an attorney, as you will have additional confidentiality through the client-lawyer relationship.
- Communicate carefully with other entities, including law enforcement officers and insurance providers. Especially when communicating with insurance providers, only share information you must provide. This will help you maintain control and confidentiality over claim information and evidence.
- Retain an attorney quickly to get support during your claim. For example, your attorney can recommend personalized next steps, explain the significance of these suggestions, and break down legal language and processes.
We encourage you to retain an attorney from Hollis Law Firm at your earliest convenience, as this will make it easier to obtain complete and fair compensation for your losses. The sooner you obtain an attorney, the more time your legal representation will have to dedicate to your case, increasing your odds of success.
What Compensation Can You Collect in a Dog Bite Claim?
Whenever someone is responsible for your serious injuries, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against that party and obtain compensation. However, following a dog bite claim, compensation will vary based on the circumstances.
The following are losses and damages that may qualify for compensation in your claim:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation, including physical or occupational therapy
- Lost pay or wage-earning potential
- Repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Reduced enjoyment of life
Additional losses may qualify for compensation, so we encourage you to speak with our team at Hollis Law Firm. When you retain one of our dedicated and qualified attorneys, you can get assistance maximizing your financial recovery. We can help identify additional eligible losses, hold the liable party accountable, and assist you in navigating an already difficult time.
How to Prove Liability in Your Dog Bite Personal Injury Case
To prove that someone is liable for your dog bite injuries, you must meet the four requirements. In personal injury law, the following four elements need to be demonstrated in order for a plaintiff to receive compensation:
- Someone owes you a duty of care in the given situation. For example, dog owners are responsible for training their pets so they behave appropriately, reducing the risk of injury to victims by ensuring their dog is on a leash whenever necessary, and informing passersby if the animal has a violent or dangerous history.
- There has been a breach of duty of care, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. For example, a dog owner may breach a duty of care when they refuse to train dangerous behaviors out of their pet.
- Your injuries were caused by negligence or breach of duty of care. You can prove causation with medical documentation in most cases.
- You have faced serious losses due to the incident, such as medical bills, damaged property, or lost wages.Â
For assistance proving that another person is liable for your injuries, please contact Hollis Law Firm. Our team is happy to answer your questions and speak on your behalf, as our priority is to reduce your stress while maximizing the compensation you can receive.
How Can We Help With Your Dog Bite Claim in Overland Park?
At Hollis Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping victims of dog bites in Overland Park recover the compensation they deserve. Our approach is personalized and compassionate, ensuring that each client receives professional guidance tailored to their situation.
If you have suffered severe injuries from a dog bite, we are here to help you navigate the legal process, gather necessary evidence, and prove liability. Contact Hollis Law Firm at (800) 701-3672 or fill out our contact form to learn how we can support you in your pursuit of justice.