What to Do After a Dog Bite in Connecticut? 2025

Dogs are popular pets in Connecticut, but it is possible for a dog to bite and injure someone unexpectedly. If this happens to you or a loved one, you need to know what to do after a dog bite in Connecticut. Under state law, the dog’s owner is strictly liable for all damages their pet causes, but you will need to hire a skilled dog bite lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with a personal injury case.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Connecticut

Dog attacks can potentially cause severe injuries. As many as 1,000 people per day in the United States receive emergency room treatment for serious dog bites, and there are more than 12,000 hospitalizations from dog attacks every year. In Connecticut, the strict liability statute applies to these cases, meaning dog owners are fully responsible for any harm their pets cause, except under very specific conditions.

The first thing you should do after a dog attack is seek medical care for your injuries, even if you think you only sustained minor damage. This will ensure you have a medical record proving you needed treatment for your injuries. Once you have received medical care, you should hire a dog bite lawyer at your first opportunity so they can begin building your case against the dog’s owner.

It’s also important to keep in mind that these cases must be filed within the time allowed under the Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations, so acting quickly is essential.

Dog attacks may not only entail painful and damaging injuries from biting, but it is also possible for victims to be knocked to the ground. This can result in traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage. Severe attacks may also prove fatal. If your loved one died from a dog attack, you would need to hire a dog bite lawyer with experience handling wrongful death cases.

Your Connecticut dog bite lawyer can explain the statutes that apply to your case. Generally, a dog owner will be responsible for any damages their pet caused, but it is possible for liability to be disputed in these cases. Once you have secured legal counsel, your attorney can begin building a personal injury case on your behalf.

What to Expect From Your Connecticut Dog Bite Lawyer

The strict liability statute for dog attacks in Connecticut is relatively straightforward. A dog owner is liable for any and all damages their pet causes, regardless of whether they had any reason to believe their dog could be dangerous. The only exceptions to the strict liability rule would be provocation and trespassing.

A dog owner would not be liable if their dog attacked an intruder or trespasser on their property, nor would the dog owner be liable if the dog responded to abuse or other provocation. If there are any disputes as to whether the strict liability rule applies to your case, your dog bite lawyer can resolve these issues and preserve your ability to claim compensation for your damages.

When the strict liability rule applies, the dog’s owner is responsible for the economic and non-economic damages the victim suffered in the attack. If you hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you, they can potentially recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages if you are unable to work while you recover, and compensation for your pain and suffering.

Ultimately, it is vital to hire a dog bite lawyer you trust at your first opportunity to have the greatest chance of success with your case. Bartlett & Grippe have extensive experience handling dog bite cases and many other personal injury claims throughout Connecticut, and we are confident we can help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Reach out to our team today to learn more about the legal services we provide.

FAQs

What Happens to the Dog After it Bites Someone in Connecticut?

After a dog bites someone in Connecticut, it will likely be subject to a mandatory quarantine. The dog must be evaluated to determine whether it poses a health and safety risk to others. The dog may then be released back to its owner after this evaluation, and the owner will need to follow specific instructions to ensure it does not cause any further harm. In other cases, dogs deemed exceptionally dangerous may be euthanized.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Dog Bite in Connecticut?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog bite in Connecticut will usually depend on the severity of your injuries. Hire a dog bite lawyer who can help you claim compensation for your medical expenses, the income you cannot earn while you recover, and compensation for your pain and suffering.

What Are the Most Common Injuries From Dog Attacks?

The most commonly reported injuries from dog attacks include puncture wounds, lacerations, and crushing injuries from biting, and it is also possible for a victim to suffer head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries if they are knocked to the ground. Victims of dog attacks should receive immediate medical care and speak with legal counsel right away.

What Is a Dangerous Dog in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, a dangerous dog is a dog that has bitten someone in the past, a dog that has severely injured or killed a person or other domestic animal without provocation in the past, or a dog that has been previously used to commit a crime. Owners of dangerous dogs can face severe criminal penalties if these animals cause any further harm to others.

Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?

You should hire a dog bite lawyer because your case could be more challenging to resolve than you expect. Even though Connecticut’s strict liability rule seems clear, the reality is that any personal injury case can present unexpected complications that you may not know how to address without an attorney’s help. Having legal counsel on your side significantly improves your chances of success with your personal injury case.

If you are unsure what to do after a dog bite in Connecticut, seek medical care immediately and then reach out to an experienced dog bite lawyer you trust to build your case. The team at Bartlett & Grippe has the experience needed to handle the most challenging dog bite cases in Connecticut, so contact our firm today and schedule a free consultation to learn how we can assist you.