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Nearly 5 million dog bites occur each year. Approximately 50% of these dog bites happen to children, who are significantly more vulnerable to experiencing serious wounds and injuries from a dog attack. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, you need Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Wichita dog bite lawyers. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Many different injuries can be sustained as the result of an attack by a dog. Some injuries are not as serious and heal with little medical treatment. More severe attacks can leave the victim with significant injuries that are life-changing. The most common areas of the body where a dog tends to bite when attacking are the head, face, hands, arms, and legs. Common injuries from a dog attack include:

• Amputation and avulsion injuries
• Back injuries and herniated discs
• Crush injuries
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Fractured bones and dislocations
• Head trauma
• Infection of bite wounds
• Laceration and cuts
• Loss of eye(s)
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Nerve damage to bite area
• Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Puncture wounds
• Scarring from bites
• Soft tissue damage
• Tendon damage

JHC’s Wichita personal injury lawyers have experience litigating cases involving all manner of injuries. We know how to help you prove your case and recover compensation for the harm you have sustained.

Dog Bite Injury Claims

If you or a loved one has been attacked or bitten by another person’s pet, it may be possible to pursue a claim for damages. There are different levels of difficulty in demonstrating liability for a dog bite. An experienced and competent lawyer will know the local laws regarding dog bites and attacks in the area where the attack took place.

It is the responsibility of a dog owner to make sure that their animal does not attack or injure people. There are some situations when it is possible that multiple parties are accountable for injuries sustained in a dog attack. Depending on the circumstances a property owner, business owner, and dog owner can all be found liable. Any of all of these responsible parties may have insurance that covers your injury.

JHC’s Wichita dog bite attorneys will explore all your options for recovering financial compensation.

Making Your Case

When a dog’s owner is facing liability for his or her pet’s attack, the owner may defend by claiming dog provocation, trespassing, or assumed risk.

• Dog provocation is a term that relates to forcing or provoking an animal to cause harm. A victim cannot intimidate a dog and then expect to be compensated for injuries after being bitten by the dog.
• Walking on someone’s private property or entering into a home without invitation can compromise a claim for personal injuries if you are attacked while trespassing.
• Assumed risk is a significant gray area when it comes to dog bite cases. If a dog owner has posted signs warning the public of a dangerous dog, then anyone ignoring the sign is assuming some risk of being attacked. Additionally, going to a dog park can expose someone to a greater risk of being bitten by a dog.

A Wichita dog bite lawyer at Joseph, Hollander & Craft will know the defenses a dog owner might use and how to beat them.

Contact the Wichita Dog Bite Lawyers at JHC

If you need a dog bite lawyer, contact JHC. Our personal injury attorneys provide free consultations. Call our Wichita office at (316) 262-9393 or fill out our online form today.

Top Questions About Dog Bites in Wichita, KS

What kind of evidence should I gather if I have been attacked by a dog?

In order to have an effective and successful dog bite injury claim, it is important to collect the appropriate evidence. Taking photographs of the dog and of the injuries it caused is one of the first things to do. Also, keep all of your medical records and documents pertaining to any medical treatment received for the injuries sustained from the attack. If you receive any documents or correspondence from the owner of the dog, these should also be preserved. It is also useful to write down your recollection of the events leading up to the attack and what happened after the dog bite. If you experience ongoing or long-lasting effects or injuries from the attack, document these in a journal.

If you or someone you know is aware of any information documenting the dog’s predisposition to be violent, document it. Keeping record of any proof that suggests the owner of the dog knew of its violent tendencies is important. You can start by talking to the owner’s neighbors. Getting statements from any witnesses to the attack can also provide crucial evidence.

What kind of damages can I be awarded in a dog bite claim?

In a case involving a personal injury, damages is a term that refers to any loss or harm experienced as a result of an injury. Depending on the severity of the incident and the losses incurred, a victim of a dog bite or dog attack may be entitled to numerous compensable damages. Some common damages that can be awarded for a dog bite injury claim include:

• Costs for medical treatment by a medical professional
• Surgical costs
• Long-term medical care expenses
• Medications
• Hospitalization
• Rehabilitation
• Medical equipment
• Disfigurement
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future loss of earning capacity
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering