Can you sue for a dog bite?
Yes. Every state lets you claim against the owner, but the rule differs. In strict liability states the owner pays even for a first bite. Under the one-bite rule, you show the owner knew the dog could bite. Some states mix the two.
Your state also sets how long you have to file. Find yours in dog bite laws by state.
Suing for a dog bite: the steps
- Get medical care and keep every record.
- Report the bite and get the owner's insurance details. See how to report a dog bite.
- Your attorney sends the insurer a demand with your bills, photos and lost pay.
- If the offer is too low, your attorney files the lawsuit before the deadline.
- Talks go on while the case moves. A trial is the last step, not the first.
Suing the owner does not mean taking their savings. Home and renters policies usually pay the owner's legal costs and the claim, up to the limit, the Triple-I says.
When your neighbor's dog bit you
Suing a neighbor feels hard. In practice, the claim goes to the neighbor's homeowners or renters insurer, much as it would after a car crash.
You can stay civil and still protect yourself. Keep your talks short, write down what the neighbor says about the dog and pass any insurer calls to your attorney.
Do you need a dog bite accident attorney?
Not for every bite. A scratch with one doctor visit may settle with a few calls and small claims court is an option for a minor bite. The limit there depends on your state.
Call a dog bite accident attorney when there are stitches, a scar, a child, a bite to the face, lost work or an insurer that says no. Dog bite attorneys usually work for a share of what you win, so you pay nothing up front.
How long a dog bite lawsuit takes
There is no set time. A claim usually settles only once treatment ends, because the insurer pays once for everything. A bite that needed surgery or a fight over the dog's past, takes longer.
The filing deadline keeps running while you talk. To see a rough value now, use the settlement calculator.
