Many people living in Fairfield have dogs as family pets, and most people in the area have positive, enjoyable interactions with dogs on a regular basis. Oldfield Park and many trails in the area are popular spots for dog walking, and you may encounter neighbors’ dogs throughout your neighborhood any given day. If a dog unexpectedly bites and causes an injury, you need to speak with a skilled Fairfield dog bite lawyer as quickly as possible to determine your recovery options.
An animal attack attorney at Bartlett & Grippe knows how traumatic a dog attack can be. Our firm can provide compassionate legal representation if you must file a personal injury suit after someone else’s dog has bitten you in Fairfield. If a family member has died from a dog mauling in the area, we can also provide wrongful death counsel. Whatever your case entails, you can expect personalized, responsive attention from our team throughout your proceedings.
There are about 1,000 emergency room visits every day throughout the United States for serious dog bite injuries. Each year, more than 12,000 US citizens require hospitalization from dog bite injuries. Dog attacks can not only result in severe injuries from bites and scratches, but they can also result in head injuries and broken bones if a dog knocks a victim to the ground. Mauling can also result in life-threatening injuries.
Some breeds are especially dangerous when they attack. Between 2005 and 2017, pit bulls killed 284 Americans. This was not only the highest number of fatal attacks by breed but more than all other breeds combined. Between 2005 and 2019, pit bulls killed an average of one citizen every 16 days. Regardless of the type of dog involved in your case, it is vital to understand Connecticut’s laws for resolving dog bite cases.
Connecticut enforces a strict liability rule for dog attacks. This means that if a dog attacks a person, the dog’s owner is strictly liable for all resulting damages, regardless of whether the owner was negligent in their handling of the dog or whether they knew the dog was potentially dangerous. The only criteria for strict liability to apply would be that the attack was unprovoked and the victim was legally present at the location where the attack occurred.
An experienced Fairfield dog bite lawyer can be an invaluable asset if you must file a dog bite personal injury case. Even if the strict liability statute for dog attacks seems straightforward, the reality is that you could encounter a variety of unexpected challenges in this case. You will also need an attorney’s help to maximize your compensation. The first steps you take immediately after the incident are crucial to your recovery.
A Fairfield dog bite lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe can help you gather any evidence needed to establish strict liability for the dog attack you experienced. If a loved one dies from a fatal dog attack, our team has proven experience resolving complex wrongful death cases for clients in Fairfield and will do everything we can to maximize your compensation.
Ultimately, you may have multiple legal options available to you after a dog attack in Fairfield. You have limited time to file a personal injury case, so it’s vital to connect with an experienced Fairfield personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible. The team at Bartlett & Grippe can provide compassionate legal counsel through all stages of your case. Reach out to our firm as quickly as possible to learn how we can help you recover.
To prove strict liability in a dog bite case, you only need to prove that you were legally present wherever the attack occurred and that you did not provoke the attack. It is not necessary to prove the dog owner was negligent in order for strict liability to apply. A Fairfield dog bite lawyer can help you firmly establish strict liability for the dog attack you experienced.
If a dog attack in Fairfield is fatal, the family of the victim would likely have grounds to pursue a wrongful death suit against the dog owner. This type of personal injury case is filed on behalf of the deceased victim by the executor of their estate or personal representative on behalf of their beneficiaries. The attorneys at Bartlett & Grippe have extensive experience with wrongful death cases in Fairfield and can assist you with filing this type of case.
The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog attack in Fairfield will depend on the severity of the injuries you suffered. You have the right to claim compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning capacity, and for your pain and suffering. An experienced Fairfield dog bite lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe can help you maximize your total compensation.
Attorneys’ fees for a Fairfield dog bite lawyer will be a percentage of your total compensation if you choose Bartlett & Grippe to represent you. We take personal injury cases on contingency, meaning you will only be charged a fee if and when we win your case. Additionally, this fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered, so there is no risk of paying more for legal counsel than you win in compensation for your damages.
The team at Bartlett & Grippe has successfully helped many past clients pursue accountability and compensation for dog attacks in Fairfield, and we can apply this experience to your case. We know you are likely to have many difficult questions in the aftermath of a dog attack, so contact our team today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fairfield dog bite lawyer and learn how we can assist you with your case.