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When dogs attack, they can bite down with powerful jaws and use their weight to destabilize their victims. Children, the elderly, and the disabled are particularly vulnerable and often suffer catastrophic injuries in dog attacks. Regardless of the circumstances, neither you nor your loved one should have to pay for harm caused by a dog that was a known danger. Contact Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Lawrence dog bite lawyers to discuss how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Do I Have A Dog Bite Claim?

Kansas dog owners (or possessors / keepers / harborers) can be held liable for injuries caused by their dogs. But Kansas follows the one bite rule, which requires that the owner (or possessor / keeper / harborer) either know or have reason to know that the dog might behave violently before he or she will be held liable for injuries caused by the dog. It is called the one bite rule because this knowledge requirement suggests that each dog in Kansas gets one free bite—after which the person responsible before the dog is deemed to be on notice of the dog’s potential to attack.

There are a few situations in which the victim of a dog bite will be unable to recover compensation for injuries.  Generally, these circumstances include:

• The dog was a military or police animal working with a unit that was performing duties in the scope or course of employment.
• The victim is another animal or pet. Pets are generally considered personal property, so personal injury laws do not apply.
• The situation surrounding the dog attack involves an assumption of risk—meaning that the victim placed him or herself in a situation that increased the likelihood of a dog bite. For example, groomers, veterinarians and veterinary staff, kennel workers, and dog walkers/sitters would fall into this category.

Dog Bite Damages

If you have a viable dog bite claim, you may be able to recover damages. In civil litigation, the term damages refers to monetary awards a losing defendant owes a winning plaintiff. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for any or all of the following:

• Medical treatment
• Medication
• Hospitalization
• Rehabilitation and rehabilitative supplies or equipment
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma

JHC’s Lawrence, Kansas, dog bite attorneys carefully examine every case to ensure that no basis for recovery is overlooked. We are committed to maximizing your compensation so you are not left paying for harm that was not your fault.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Lawrence Dog Bite Lawyers

If you need a dog bite attorney in Lawrence, Kansas, contact JHC today. The initial consultation costs nothing, and we do not charge attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call our Lawrence office at (785) 856-0143 or fill out our online form to speak about representation.

FAQs

How can Lawrence dog bite lawyers help me after I have been attacked by a dog?

It is common for the victims of dog bites and attacks to be left with high medical bills, the anxiety of lost wages and the stress of pain and suffering. After a dog bite injury is reported to the dog owner’s insurance company, an adjuster may try to quickly settle the case for as little as possible in order to save the insurance company money. Consequently, the settlement amounts offered will reflect the best interest of the insurance company, not the injured victim.

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, we stand up to big insurance companies and make sure our clients’ claims do not go undercompensated. Our attorneys can help you by investigating the specifics of your claim, gathering medical records pertaining to your injury, and evaluating the financial value of your case. We will protect your rights and help you get the reward you are owed. Contact us today for your free case assessment.

Should I answer questions from the dog’s owner or the dog owner’s insurance company?

It is good to get contact information for the dog’s owner and the dog owner’s insurance company. It is fine to provide your own contact information too. But discussing the details of the attack or your injuries may impair your claim or the extent of your recovery. When you hire JHC’s dog bite lawyers, we will handle all communication with the insurance company so you don’t have to.