Lafayette Dog Bite Attorney Seeks Compensation for Injuries
Reliable assistance for victims of animal attacks in Indiana
An attack by a dog or other 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 attorneys at Cooke Law Firm have fought for the rights of Indiana residents harmed by dog bites. We understand the trauma you’ve undergone and are determined to fight for the relief you deserve.
Understanding Indiana’s law on animal bites
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 attacks?
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 firm is determined to maximize the amount you receive, so you are fairly compensated for your losses.
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 765-423-5628 or contact us online.
