A dog attacked you last night ripping open your forearm and thigh. You’re overwhelmed with pain and stress. Who will pay for your damages? How will you pay your medical and regular bills during your recovery? Cory Watson Attorneys understand entirely. Our attorneys handle personal injury clients daily with devastating injuries and can seek the money you deserve under the law. Compensation can help you move forward after your dog bite with less stress and greater financial support.
Our dog bite personal injury attorneys are based in Birmingham and are standing by right now, ready to hold the dog owner accountable for their negligence. Read about dog bite personal injury cases below, then speak to us immediately for legal assistance.
Our attorneys have fought tirelessly for Billions in compensation for our clients, and we’re ready to go to bat against any insurance company to get you money for your dog bite injuries. The insurance company will lowball you and try to pay you pennies, but our attorneys won’t allow it!
Birmingham Dog Bite Guide
- Why Choose Our Birmingham Dog Bite Attorneys?
- Alabama Dog Bite Laws
- How Much Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
- About Our Dog Bite Litigation Practice
- How Our Dog Bite Personal Injury Attorneys Fight The Insurance Company
- Common Dog Bite Defenses
- What To Do After A Dog Bite Incident
- Possible Compensation In Birmingham Dog Bite Cases
- Contact Our Birmingham Dog Bite Attorneys Today
Why Choose Our Birmingham Dog Bite Attorneys?
The accomplished personal injury and dog bite attack attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys have fought for injury victims in the Birmingham region for more than four decades. In that time, we have litigated successfully on behalf of thousands of personal injury clients against small and large defendants, including Fortune 500 organizations. No personal injury case is too large or small for our litigators, and we have obtained more than $4 Billion in settlements and favorable verdicts for our clients.
Our Birmingham personal injury lawyers know the local community well, with offices just around the corner from Magnolia Park and down the street from Five Points South. But we also have national reach and are comfortable handling challenging personal injury claims in any corner of the country.
Whether your case involves a dog bite, car accident, truck crash, dangerous drug, or slip and fall, our attorneys will fight tirelessly for your rights for the most compensation. Call us 24/7 for a no-cost legal consultation at (877) 562-0000.
Alabama Dog Bite Laws
If you have been bitten by someone’s dog in Birmingham, you probably wonder what your legal rights are. In Alabama, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries that their dogs cause others. As a dog bite victim, you can receive compensation for injuries sustained, according to Alabama Code 1975 Title 3. According to this statute, the dog owner is liable for dog bites when someone is bitten on the person’s property or when the dog chases the victim from the owner’s property.
Here’s an example: Suppose you visit your friend’s house in Birmingham. Your friend owns a Rottweiler. As soon as you enter your friend’s home, the dog attacks you and you suffer deep wounds on your hand and arm. Your friend is shocked because the dog has never attacked before. Is your friend liable? Yes, because you were bitten on your friend’s property, so they are strictly liable for your injuries.
However, the one-bite rule will apply if you were not bitten on the owner’s property. This means the owner is only liable if you prove the owner knew the dog might bite.
You can still sue under the state’s dog bite statutes and recover compensation based on negligence if you prove the owner violated the standard of care. Several legal theories may apply to a dog bite case, so consult a Cory Watson dog bite attorney for guidance.
How Much Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
The first question most dog bite victims ask is what their case may be worth. Even a small dog can cause a serious bite or other injuries that require medical attention. The more serious the dog attack, the more money the claim is worth. Some of the factors that decide the value of a dog bite case are:
- Injuries: How severe are your dog bite injuries? Do you need surgery and a hospital stay? What do your current and ongoing medical bills cost? Is there going to be scarring and disfigurement? If you have expensive medical bills and months of treatment, our Birmingham dog bite attorneys will fight for more compensation.
- Mental and emotional trauma: For many dog bite victims, there is PTSD and other mental traumas that they will need to deal with. Your attorney will put a dollar amount on your mental suffering and ensure it’s part of your compensation.
- Missed work time: Did you miss time at work because of your dog bites? This lost income can be part of your compensation package. You also can be entitled to compensation for the lost ability to earn a living in some circumstances.
Each dog bite case is unique, and the compensation you need depends on the circumstances of the dog attack and the severity of your injuries. The best way to get a rough idea of what your case is worth is to speak to one of our Cory Watson Attorneys.
About Our Dog Bite Litigation Practice
If you have suffered a dog bite attack injury, you should speak to one of our Birmingham dog bite attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys. Our attorneys often represent dog bite and attack victims; we will review your case to determine if the dog’s owner violated state or local laws. Some of the dog bite injuries we can seek compensation for are:
- Severe lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Puncture wounds
- Soft tissue injuries
- Infections
- Mental trauma
Our attorneys have dealt with dog bite attacks involving many dog breeds. Some of the most dangerous dogs that have caused fatal dog attacks recently are:
- Pit bulls
- Mixed-breed dogs
- Rottweilers
- Boxers
- German Shepherds
- Australian Cattle Dogs
Our personal injury attorneys understand that you can have multiple deep wounds from the dog attack. We have seen dog bite cases where the animal tore the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Depending on where the animal bit you and the bite severity, you can have disfigurement and scarring. Some injury victims even have permanent damage, such as injury to the nerves and reduced mobility. The sooner you contact one of our attorneys, the faster we can get you the financial relief you deserve.
How Our Dog Bite Personal Injury Attorneys Fight The Insurance Company
One of the most important tasks of your Birmingham dog bite attorney is to obtain fair compensation from the insurance company. The dog owner will likely have liability insurance to pay for your dog bite injuries and other damages. The defendant’s homeowner insurance policy can often provide money for your losses.
However, it is unlikely that the insurance company will willingly offer fair compensation. Our Cory Watson Attorneys are highly experienced in battling insurance companies that want to provide little to no compensation for injured Alabamans. Insurance companies make money by paying out less in claims than they take in in premiums. They want to pay you as little as possible or deny your claim completely.
Our attorneys know all insurance adjuster tricks and games. Their shady actions won’t dissuade us. Our lawyers will demand the most compensation in settlement negotiations, and if talks break down, we will take the case to a jury to get justice for you.
Common Dog Bite Defenses
If a dog bites you, you can expect the owner to try to deny liability. When strict liability applies in your Birmingham dog bite case, these are the only defenses:
- You were not bitten.
- You weren’t on the owner’s property.
- You provoked the dog.
- You were trespassing when the attack happened.
If the one-bite rule applies, the case can be more complex. This is because the claim will focus on whether the dog showed aggressive behavior before the dog bite incident and if the owner knew about it. Some potential evidence that can be used to show the dog was violent before include:
- Law enforcement reports of other dog attacks
- Eyewitness testimony of other dog attacks
- Photos or video of the dog being aggressive
- Warnings or citations given by the Birmingham Animal Control Authority
What To Do After A Dog Bite Incident
After a dog attack, getting immediate medical attention is critical to your health and well-being. Assuming you have done that, there are other things you can do to help your case if you intend to file a claim or lawsuit.
First, you need to carefully document the injuries that you have. This includes taking photos and video of any visible disfigurement or injuries. It also will help your case if you keep a written or video journal of how the injuries affect you. These effects can be pain, reduced mobility, and an inability to do basic life care, such as dressing, bathing, or feeding yourself. The documentation of your injuries also can be medical records and any other written records.
As soon as possible after the dog attack, write down everything you remember about the event. Do so when your memory is still fresh. You can do a voice recording or video on your cell phone if you don’t want to write. Remember to mention the circumstances and events regarding the dog bite attack with all the details. Note the time, date, and whether the dog owner said they were sorry. Apologies are essential for your case because they show that the owner knew they were wrong.
You also should keep account of your expenses from the dog bite attack, including medications, drug prescriptions, lost earnings, and travel expenses. The more evidence you can provide about the incident and your losses, the more you can get in a claim.
If you talk to any insurance company about the attack, keeping a written record of your communications is smart. You also may have communicated with witnesses. Note all of these conversations and give this to your attorney. It’s a good idea to say as little as possible to the negligent party’s insurance company; they will try to use anything you say against you. Instead, let our Cory Watson Attorneys deal with them.
Possible Compensation In Birmingham Dog Bite Cases
Under state law, you can obtain three types of damages for your dog bite injuries:
- Economic damages for dog bites include medical costs, lost earnings, and property damages.
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
- Punitive damages are intended to punish the dog owner if you prove that the owner was highly reckless or had malice against you. An example would be if the owner told the dog to attack.
Remember that the statute of limitations for a dog bite case in Alabama is just two years. You have only two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. So, speak to an experienced Cory Watson Attorney as soon as possible for the best chance for compensation.
Contact Our Birmingham Dog Bite Attorneys Today
If a dog bites or attacks you or a loved one, you are probably in a lot of pain with your injuries. Our dog bite attorneys in Birmingham, Nashville, and Memphis sympathize with your situation and are ready to help.
Cory Watson Attorneys have recovered more than $4 Billion for personal injury clients, and we can get you much-needed compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Call 205-328-2200 today for your complimentary consultation or complete our online form. No dog bite case is too large or too small for our tenacious Cory Watson attorneys, so call Birmingham personal injury lawyers today for justice!
Birmingham Office Location
2131 Magnolia Ave s.Birmingham, AL 35205