Proving Dog Bite Claims in North Central Indiana
It has been rightfully said that dogs are man's best friend, but when an irresponsible dog owner fails to properly restrain or control a dog, the injuries and disfigurement a dog can inflict can be horrible. When an unprovoked dog bite occurs, you need an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in dog bite litigation.
In Indiana, there are three basic ways to establish liability against the owner of dog which has bitten someone without provocation:
- Prove that the dog previously demonstrated vicious or dangerous tendencies of which the owner was aware;
- Prove under premises liability law that the animal created an unreasonably dangerous condition on the owner's property of which the owner was aware, or should have been aware; and
- Prove that the owner's failure to properly restrain or control the dog violated state or local animal control statutes or ordinances.
At King & Scott, we thoroughly investigate dog bite cases and often bring claims based upon more than one of the liability theories mentioned above. We also pay careful attention to the details of the damages you have sustained. In a severe dog attack, deep tissue trauma can result in significant scarring, infection and nerve damage which may require multiple surgical procedures and prolonged medical care. We fully understand the medical and emotional damages associated with a dog attack, and where necessary, we enlist the assistance of experts to prove the full nature and extent of those injuries.
Reaching Insurance Coverage Beyond the Dog Owner in Indiana Dog Bite Injury Litigation
One problem frequently encountered by attorneys in dog bite cases is that the dog's owner may not have insurance to cover the damages caused by an attack. When this occurs, and if the dog's owner keeps the dog on a rental property, under certain circumstances you may be able to pursue damages against the landlord for injuries caused by a tenant's dog. Kokomo personal injury lawyer Mark Scott has successfully tried these cases, and he has even authored and lectured on this topic to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Find out more about our resourceful approach to the proof of liability and damages claims in Indiana dog bite litigation. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney at King & Scott in Kokomo.
