Did someone else’s dog bite you in Indianapolis, IN? Call Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers at (317) 920-6400 for legal advice today. The dog’s owner may owe you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. An experienced Indianapolis dog bite lawyer can help you maximize your case value.
Our lawyers have over 124 combined years of experience handling personal injury cases. In that time, we’ve helped injury victims collect millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, contact our law office today to learn about your legal options.
Why Choose Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers to Help After a Dog Bite Injury in Indianapolis?
Animal attacks can be incredibly traumatic. Many victims are unsure where to turn for help. You’re watching the medical bills pile up, and you may be unable to work. Unfortunately, most insurance companies aren’t much help.
That’s where Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers can step in. Our experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyers have successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases over the years. We know how to deal with the insurance company and build a strong case they can’t ignore.
Our Indianapolis, IN, team has been listed among America’s “Top 100” Attorneys. We’ve also earned a place on the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum. When you hire us, you can expect knowledgeable, straightforward legal guidance at every stage of the legal process.
After an injury, taking legal action can seem daunting. Call our Indianapolis dog bite attorneys for the top-quality legal assistance you deserve.
How Much Money Is My Indianapolis Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim can depend on a number of factors. The severity of the injuries is typically the controlling factor.
That said, multiple issues must be considered in assessing your case value, including:
- Your current medical treatment costs
- Your ongoing medical needs and anticipated future medical costs
- Whether you will suffer any long-term or permanent impairment or disability
- Your current lost wages
- The nature of the pain, trauma, and suffering you have experienced
The amount of available insurance coverage could also impact the amount of money you take home.
You deserve to know what you’re getting into by filing a compensation claim. Our lawyers can offer more insight during a free case review. Contact us today to discuss your case and options.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Indianapolis?
Damages in Indiana personal injury cases are classified as economic damages or non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for the verified financial costs associated with the dog bite.
Examples of economic damages include:
- ER visits, hospitalization, surgeries, follow-up visits, and other current medical expenses
- Anticipated future medical expenses
- Medications
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages attempt to provide compensation for the pain, trauma, and personal losses you have suffered.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Dog bite injuries have the ability to cause lasting consequences. It’s important to ensure your compensation award considers all current and anticipated future losses. When you’ve yet to incur a loss, it can be tough to prove.
That’s why it’s important to have an experienced Indianapolis dog bite lawyer on your team. From day one, our attorneys will begin advocating for the maximum compensation possible. All you have to do is call for a free case review today.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case in Indiana?
Dog bite injuries can be surprisingly expensive. When you’re already watching the bills pile up, the last thing you need is one more.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to cover any initial costs. Our attorneys’ fees are eventually deducted from your settlement or jury verdict. They depend entirely on how successful we were in recovering compensation for you.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Indiana?
The provocation defense is common in dog bite injury cases. It’s actually built into Indiana’s strict liability dog bite law. When you’re claiming that the dog’s owner was negligent, the provocation defense can also become an issue.
Indiana follows modified comparative negligence laws. Victims don’t lose their right to damages automatically. The defense must prove that your share of fault exceeded 50% to avoid liability.
If they can prove you were even partly responsible, however, your damages will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
Our Attorneys in Indianapolis Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs are capable of causing all types of injuries when they attack. The nature of the injuries often depends on the size and strength of the dog.
Our attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers represent clients who have suffered:
- Puncture wounds, lacerations, and bruises
- Infections
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Joint injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ injuries and bleeding
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Eye and facial injuries
- Vision loss
- Amputations caused by infection
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Indiana dog bite claims can be complicated. Even if your injury isn’t listed here, our lawyers can help. After you receive medical attention, contact our lawyers to explore your legal options.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Dog Bite in Indiana?
Some states use a “one bite rule,” meaning an owner is usually not liable until they know their dog has bitten or acted dangerously before. Indiana does not give dogs a guaranteed “free bite.” Instead, Indiana uses a mix of strict liability and negligence rules depending on who was bitten and where it happened.
In Indiana, an owner is often responsible if:
- You were peaceably in a public place or lawfully on private property.
- The dog bit you without provocation.
- The owner knew, or should have known, the dog was likely to bite or act aggressively, depending on the situation.
This sentence bridges the list to the next section. Owners must use reasonable care to control their dogs, even if they claim the dog seemed harmless before. Also, the law is stricter when the victim is working in an official role, like a mail carrier or certain public employees, because owners can be liable even without prior warning signs.
Can Someone Other Than the Animal’s Owner Be Liable for My Injuries?
While most dog bite claims proceed against the dog’s owner, it’s also possible that someone else could be responsible for your injuries. It all depends on where the dog bite occurred.
Dog bite injuries can also involve premises liability laws. If the dog attacked you while you were visiting a restaurant, shop, or hotel, for example, the business owner may be liable.
Business owners have a basic duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. When they invite others onto the premises, that duty includes protecting them from harm that is reasonably foreseeable. If a dog created a dangerous property condition, it’s possible that the business owner can be financially responsible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Indiana?
The statute of limitations that governs personal injury cases is two years in Indiana. You have two years from the date the dog injured you to file a lawsuit. Once the two-year period is over, you’ll have lost your right to compensation.
Most dog bite injuries are covered by an insurance policy. Negotiating with the insurance company can take time. Consulting an experienced injury lawyer sooner rather than later is always the best idea.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Indiana?
Dog bites happen every day. Some reports show that roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. While not all bites are serious, thousands of people require medical care each year.
Insurance companies have also paid out billions of dollars to settle dog-related injury claims with victims.
In one recent year, Indiana ranked among the top 10 states for dog bite injury claims, based on research published by State Farm. That year, Indiana insurance companies paid over $7.4 million to settle dog bite injury cases.
Contact Our Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Negligent dog owners should be held financially responsible when their dog bites and injures someone. If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, call an Indianapolis dog bite attorney at Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers today. We have the skills to help you hold the dog’s owner accountable.