Lafayette Dog Bite Attorneys Seek Compensation For Injuries
An attack by a dog or another dangerous animal can be a harrowing experience, leaving you with serious injuries. Under Indiana law, you can seek compensation from the animal owner but your recovery of damages is not guaranteed. You need effective representation to meet the legal standard for proving the owner’s liability.
For more than 50 years, the personal injury attorneys at Cooke Law Firm have fought for the rights of Indiana residents harmed by dog bites and dangerous animal attacks. We understand the trauma you’ve undergone and are determined to fight for the relief you deserve.
Understanding Indiana’s Law On Animal Attacks
Indiana has a two-tiered system when it comes to liability for dog bites and other animal attacks. If you are a government employee or other person authorized to enter onto private property in the performance of your job duties, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for your bite injuries as long as you did not provoke the dog. But if you are a regular citizen, you must prove the owner was negligent in not confining or restraining the dog properly.
In such cases, Indiana follows the “one-bite rule,” which requires showing that the dog had previously bitten someone – or had otherwise exhibited a “dangerous propensity” – and that the owner knew about it. In fact, Indiana law even requires owners to exercise reasonable care to protect trespassers from a dog known to be dangerous.
What Are The Most Common Injuries Associated With Dog Bites?
In 2019, State Farm, one of the largest insurance companies in the country, ranked Indiana 19th highest among the 50 states in dog injury claims. The insurer received 326 such claims in Indiana and paid out a total of $13.42 million. Common injuries from dog bites include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Torn muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Hemorrhaging, blood loss and subsequent shock
- Psychological trauma producing night terrors, agoraphobia and other symptoms
- Crush injuries
Large animals can also cause injuries without biting, such as by jumping upon or knocking into a person and causing a fall.
Important Steps To Take If You Get Bit By A Dog
If you are injured in a dog attack, you should immediately try to establish the identity of the animal’s owner. Cellphone photos of the dog and statements from witnesses can be vital evidence. You should also contact a dog attack lawyer immediately. When you call our firm, we begin investigating right away.
We gather evidence supporting the extent of your injuries, which can include:
- Medical bills, present and future
- Lost income, present and future
- Physical pain
- Mental suffering
Our premises liability lawyers are determined to maximize the amount you receive so you are fairly compensated for your losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims In Lafayette
Clarity is essential when you are considering an animal bite injury claim. Our Lafayette legal team has addressed common questions regarding Indiana dog bite laws and the recovery process below.
What happens if the dog owner claims the incident was my fault?
Under Indiana’s modified comparative fault law (IC 34-51-2-6), you can seek financial compensation if your share of responsibility is 50% or less. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, state law bars you from recovering any damages. (Note: Claims against government entities follow strict contributory negligence rules).
Insurance adjusters and dog owners frequently allege provocation, trespassing, or ignoring warnings to shift blame. When fault is shared, your final financial recovery is reduced by your exact percentage of fault.
Outside of statutory strict liability claims for individuals carrying out legally mandated duties (such as mail carriers or meter readers under IC 15-20-1-3), a dog owner in Indiana may be held liable if they knew or should have known of the animal’s dangerous tendencies or if they failed to exercise reasonable care under general negligence principles (such as violating local leash ordinances). Gathering police reports, witness statements, and local animal control records is critical to overcoming unfounded provocation defenses.
Does the dog owner have to pay for my injuries out of their own pocket?
In the majority of dog bite claims, financial compensation is paid directly by the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not from their personal bank account. Injured individuals often hesitate to take legal action when an attack involves a neighbor, friend, or family member out of fear of causing them personal financial hardship. Insurance coverage exists specifically to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from unexpected incidents on or off the owner’s property. Filing a claim seeks recovery from the insurance provider handling the policy, allowing you to pay for necessary medical care without forcing the pet owner into personal financial ruin.
Where should I report a dog bite that happens in Lafayette?
Report a dog bite occurring within Lafayette directly to Lafayette Animal Control (dispatched through the Lafayette Police Department). Submitting an official report creates a formal public record and initiates a mandatory investigation.
Local officials use this report to locate the animal, verify its rabies vaccination status, and enforce local animal safety ordinances. Confirming the animal’s health records helps your medical providers determine whether you require immediate rabies prophylaxis or other specialized infection treatments. Documenting the attack with local authorities also preserves vital evidence that supports your personal injury claim.
Contact A Trusted Indiana Law Firm For Dog Bites And Animal Attacks
Cooke Law Firm in Lafayette represents Indiana clients who have sustained injuries from dog bites or other animal attacks. We do everything possible under the law to obtain fair compensation for victims.
To schedule a free initial consultation at our Lafayette office, call 765-340-2776 or contact us online.