Man’s best friend isn’t always so friendly. For many reasons, a dog might bite you or an animal attack might happen. When it does, you very rarely expect it. If someone’s pet harmed you, a Greenwood dog bite injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation from the owner. Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. provides a free case review to answer your questions, discuss your rights, and present your legal options.
There is no obligation to work with us when you speak with a member of our team, so you can move forward or back out with confidence.
We Don’t Charge Upfront Fees, So We Can Start Your Case Immediately
Even if you choose to work with us, you are under no personal financial obligation. Our law firm uses a contingency-based price structure. That means we don’t charge you any upfront costs to take on your case. Instead, we only receive payment if we secure your financial compensation from the liable party. Our Greenwood personal injury attorneys are paid a percentage of the financial award or settlement you receive.
Recovering Compensation for Your Dog Bite in Greenwood, Indiana
Dog owners and keepers in Greenwood and around Indiana are held liable for any attack their pet makes if the dog meets the “one-bite rule.” This common-law rule states that a dog owner or keeper is liable if they knew or should have known that their dog would attack someone. In other words, as long as the owner is reasonably responsible, their dog may get “one free bite” before legal liability applies.
This law centers on negligence because plaintiffs have to show that the dog owner acted negligently by failing to keep the dog restrained when they knew the dog was prone to violent attacks. Indiana allows dog bite injury victims to recover compensation for a host of economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Reduced ability to earn
- Damaged property like clothes, accessories, or jewelry
- Necessary supplies or equipment resulting from your dog attack injury
- Psychological trauma
- Scarring/disfigurement
- Fear
- Loss of limbs or functionality of body parts
- Persistent pain
- Other pain and suffering
How Our Law Firm Works to Build a Strong Dog Bite Case
When you work with our firm, you gain a legal team with over 30 years of experience serving the community and fighting for justice for people like you. We will work to bring you the most favorable outcome in your dog bite case. The dog bite lawyers serving the Greenwood, Indiana community at our firm will work to build a strong case against the dog owner and recover the money you need to cover medical bills and expenses as you heal.
We represent clients in animal attacks such as dog bites and maulings. In handling your case, we perform several duties that take the burden off your shoulders. We want you to rest, recover, and leave your case to us. Our injury attorneys will:
Investigate Your Dog Bite Injury Claim and Collect Evidence
One of our primary responsibilities is to find out exactly what happened to you and how the dog bite or animal attack occurred. We investigate to gather the evidence needed to prove the harm you suffered. Since Indiana is a one-bite rule state, proving negligence will help you secure compensation like in other personal injury cases.
Dog owners are legally responsible for their pet’s actions if you can clearly show that the owner knew the dog could attack or the owner acted recklessly. We will need to show that the dog injured you, and your injuries caused you to suffer damages (further loss or harm from the injury). Our Greenwood dog attack lawyers will search for and gather evidence such as:
- Photos of your injuries, the dog/animal, and the location of the attack
- Video of the animal attack or dog bite
- An incident report
- Witness accounts
- Medical records
Aim to Negotiate a Fair Settlement For Your Losses
Once we arrive at the total compensable damages from your dog bite, we can demand the compensation you deserve. We’ll make every effort to negotiate a settlement that makes you whole, covering any economic and non-economic losses you’ve suffered in Greenwood. You can approve of any settlement offer you feel is fair.
File a Lawsuit for Your Dog Bite Injury if Necessary
If negotiations don’t go as hoped, you’ll have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner or their insurance company. Our Greenwood dog bite injury attorneys will aim to build a compelling case for the courtroom and take legal action as soon as necessary. You can file a negligence lawsuit to show the dog owner failed to act with reasonable care.
Indiana Law Regarding Dog Bites and Attacks
While Indiana generally applies the one-bite rule to dog bite injury cases, the law uses strict liability if a dog bites a person who is performing their duty under local or federal laws or postal regulations. This includes government workers like mail carriers and police officers. Regardless of whether the dog had a history of attacking or the owner knew about vicious tendencies, the owner is still liable for all damages suffered by people who fall into this category.
Per IC 15-20-1-4, residents of Greenwood and across Indiana could also face criminal liability for dog bite attacks if:
- The dog owner “recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fails” to take reasonable care to restrain the dog.
- The dog goes onto someone else’s property, and
- The dog “bites or attacks another person without provocation,” causing injuries because the owner failed to restrain the dog.
City of Greenwood, Indiana Dog Ordinances
Greenwood city regulations and Johnson County ordinances place restrictions on dog ownership. The Greenwood Municipal Code, Ord. No. 16-17, §1, enumerates more specifically that it is unlawful for an owner to:
- Attack a person or another animal while at large, or unrestrained off the owner’s property
- Allow their pet to chase or approach a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack while at large, or off the owner’s property
- Allow any dog or animal to leave their property unrestrained by a leash or other restraints
- Allow their dog to excessively bark, yelp, screech, howl, or otherwise disturb or annoy others in the vicinity
- Keep a female dog or another animal in heat without confinement in a secure enclosure and in a way that prevents it from becoming a nuisance
Johnson County, Indiana also provides animal regulations in its Code of Ordinances that regulate dog and other animal possessions in §15-1-2
Also, remember that you must report any dog bite or attack to the local health department in Indiana. Any adult can report the attack. If you see a doctor for your injuries, they are legally required to report it.
The Lawyers at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. Fiercely Protect the Injured
Animals do not have a conscience, so it is up to their owners to keep them under control. When they fail to do their duty, you should not have to suffer for it. If a dog or other animal has harmed you, contact Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. A Greenwood dog bite injury lawyer can help you gather evidence and pursue the financial compensation you deserve.
