Dog Bite

We Have Decades of Experience Getting Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

by admin@gotechark.com | December 26th, 2022

Nearly 70 million households in the U.S. own a dog, and a huge percentage of the population considers themselves to be “dog people.” There’s no denying that dogs are an integral part of many families nationwide and right here in Virginia, but there’s also no denying that they have the potential to bite—and sometimes without provocation, warning, or a history of aggression.

All dog breeds have sharp teeth and powerful jaws. From the smallest “toy” dogs to the largest hunting dogs, dogs can cause serious damage to fingers, hands, arms, feet, legs, and other body parts when they bite.

Victims of dog bites face serious complications, including infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. It’s not uncommon for some victims to need to be hospitalized to treat their injuries, and some require surgery to repair the damage. In severe cases, victims may even become permanently disabled.

Despite all of the potentially severe consequences of dog bites, many victims never pursue compensation. That’s because they don’t want anything bad to happen to the dogs that bite them or their owners, especially when the victims know them well. This is understandable, but there two things to know about dog bite claims:

  • They often come out of insurance policies rather than dog owner’s pockets
  • Dogs aren’t required to be euthanized or given up after a bite, even if it results in a lawsuit

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia dog bite attorneys work hard to protect innocent victims’ rights after serious dog-related injuries. If you or someone you love is bitten or attacked, contact us anytime for a free consultation.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

by admin@gotechark.com | September 19th, 2022

Dog bites are more common than you think. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S., and more than 800,000 need to get medical attention for those bites.

When people are bitten by dogs owned by family, friends, or even strangers, they’re often hesitant to file claims against the owners for two reasons. First, they don’t want anything to happen to the dogs that bit them. And second, they don’t want the owners to have to pay for their expensive medical bills and lost wages out of pocket.

It’s important to note that there’s no law dictating that dogs must be euthanized or given to an animal shelter or rehomed after a bite, even if it results in a civil lawsuit. And in most dog bite cases, insurance picks up the tab for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These expenses are rarely paid out of pocket by dog owners.

The most common type of insurance to cover dog bites is homeowners or renters insurance. Because most people who own a home or rent an apartment or home are required to have homeowners or renters insurance, dog bite victims shouldn’t feel bad about filing claims against the owners of the dogs who bit them. If victims don’t file claims, they don’t get compensation—and they’ll be forced to dig into or even use up their own savings for medical treatments.

If you need help with a dog bite claim, Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers is here for you. Contact our Virginia dog bite attorneys today for a free consultation.

3 Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Injury

by admin@gotechark.com | July 11th, 2022

Most dogs are playful, loving, and docile. But all dogs have the potential to bite, including those with no history of biting. When people get bitten by dogs, they’re often shocked by what just happened—not to mention experiencing severe pain and bleeding.

The complications of dog bites can be serious. Although people say that dogs’ mouths are clean, they are actually teeming with bacteria. When they bite, their long and sharp teeth can push the bacteria deep inside the skin, resulting in deep wounds that can become infected.

If you or someone you love are bitten by a dog, it’s important to protect your health and your rights to compensation by taking these steps:

  • Get the dog owner’s contact information: If the dog owner isn’t someone you know, get their name, phone number, and email address. You’ll need this information if you file an injury claim against them. You also may need to contact them to determine their dog’s health and vaccination status.
  • Wash and apply pressure to the wound: Dog bites can cause heavy bleeding. If you’re able to, wash the wound immediately with soap and water. This can reduce the risk of infection. Then, apply pressure to it using a clean towel. This can stop the bleeding until you’re able to get professional medical help.
  • Go to a doctor or the emergency room: Severe dog bites usually don’t stop bleeding on their own, and they may need to be treated with local and oral antibiotics. Going to a doctor not only protects your health, but it also creates an official record of the bite and the damages it caused you.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia dog bite attorneys know how serious these bites can be. Contact us after a bite that wasn’t your fault—we’ll work hard to get you full compensation.

Your Dog Bite Injury Claim May Be Worth More Than You Think

by admin@gotechark.com | March 7th, 2022

Dog bites are often more serious than people initially think, but a large percentage of victims either don’t get compensation or fail to get enough compensation.

Dogs have long, sharp teeth and very powerful jaws. When they bite, their teeth can severely damage skin, tissue, nerves, muscle, and even bone. Complications associated with dog bites include nerve damage, infection, bleeding, and loss of mobility.

Many people who file compensation claims after dog bite injuries only consider their upfront costs, which can include an ambulance ride to the hospital, surgery, overnight stay, prescription medications, and physical rehabilitation. They also may get compensation for some of their lost wages. But many dog bite victims suffer from the effects of these injuries for the rest of their lives.

For example, it’s not uncommon for dog bite victims to lose permanent sensation in their fingers, hands, arms, legs, feet, or toes, depending on where they were bitten. They also may lose some or all usage of those body parts. That means that even if they are able to return to work, their effectiveness at their jobs may be diminished, which can affect their careers and lifetime earnings.

They also may be unable to participate in their hobbies and pastimes to the same degree as they could before their injuries. This can result in a significantly reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, these aspects of dog bite injuries aren’t always considered in claims, but they should fairly compensated when victims get settlements.

If you were bitten by a dog, our Virginia dog bite lawyers want to help you get maximum compensation. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Don’t Be Afraid to Sue After a Dog Bite Injury

by admin@gotechark.com | December 27th, 2021

70% of American households own at least one pet, and more than 50% of American households owns a dog. The sheer number of dogs in America, combined with the fact that many people consider them to be members of their family, means that dogs are widely accepted in society, including many public places.

When dogs bite, it can be shocking for victims and owners. And even though dog bites can be extremely painful, disabling, and even life-threatening, many bite victims are reluctant to pursue compensation. Dog bite victims often fear that something bad will happen to the dogs that bit them, or they believe that they must have done something wrong to cause the bite to occur.

But neglecting to file an injury claim after a dog bite is a big mistake. It’s not uncommon for dog bite victims to need medical treatment, including hospitalization and even surgery. That’s because dogs have long, sharp teeth, and their bites can cause severe bleeding, nerve damage, and infection. The medical bills for a single dog bite can overwhelm many health insurance plans and deplete savings.

Dog bites can also cause victims to become disabled. Persistent pain, numbness, and nerve damage can make it difficult for them to do their jobs. And when they aren’t working, they aren’t earning the paychecks they and their loved ones depend on.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, you need to speak to an experienced Virginia dog bite lawyer. Note that most dog bite claims are paid through insurance, not the dog owners’ pockets. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Some Dog Bite Victims Never Fully Recover

by admin@gotechark.com | October 18th, 2021

Being bitten by a dog can be painful and shocking. Dogs are such integral parts of many families that it’s difficult to imagine one being suddenly aggressive and biting—especially without provocation. But around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S., and many of those bites lead to serious injuries and complications.

Some dog bite victims lose feeling or function in the affected body part, which is often the arm or hand. That’s because dogs’ teeth are long and sharp enough to penetrate deep into the skin, muscle, and other tissue, potentially damaging or severing nerves. When nerves are damaged, it’s difficult or impossible for them to be repaired or regenerated.

That means that some dog bite victims deal with permanent disability, which can result in job loss and serious economic difficulties. Imagine an auto mechanic who loses the use of his right hand after a dog bite. He may be completely unable to do his job and have no alternative ways to earn money. That can cause him and his family enormous hardship.

Unfortunately, many dog bite victims are reluctant to file compensation claims, and others may not even realize that it’s a possibility. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we want to stand up for the rights of these often-overlooked victims. If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, contact our Virginia dog bite lawyers today for a free consultation.

Don’t Miss Out on Compensation After a Dog Bite Injury

by admin@gotechark.com | August 2nd, 2021

Dogs are important members of millions of families in America. But even though most dogs are kind and gentle animals, all dogs have the potential to bite and seriously injure people—even if they have no history of aggression. And all breeds, regardless of their size, can cause serious and complication-ridden injuries when they bite.

For example, it’s common for dog bite victims to experience a host of secondary problems afterward, including profuse bleeding, nerve damage, and infection. Some dog bite victims may even lose partial or complete feeling and control of affected body parts, including hands and fingers. These complications can severely disrupt victims’ quality of life and ability to work and earn a living.

Despite those severe consequences of being bitten, many dog bite victims never seek compensation. That means they’re on the hook for their own medical bills, all while trying to keep their heads above water when they’re unable to work. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe this is unacceptable.

Dog owners are required by city and local ordinances to keep their pets enclosed or leashed, and when they fail to do so and their dogs bite people, they can and should be held liable.

Our Virginia dog bite lawyers work hard to help injured victims get maximum compensation for all of their injury-related expenses and damages, and we never accept less than our clients deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation—we want to put our experience to work for you.

What Insurance Pays for Dog Bite Injuries?

by admin@gotechark.com | April 19th, 2021

If you were recently bitten by a dog, you may be looking at big expenses related to the bite. It’s common for dog bite victims to need extensive medical care for complications ranging from bleeding and infection to nerve damage and pain. Some victims may even be hospitalized for days, while others may become temporarily or permanently disabled.

The expenses you’re facing can push you towards filing a compensation claim, but you may be worried about who or what will pay for your damages—especially if the dog owner is a friend, family member, or even a stranger you don’t want to burden. Thankfully, many dog bites are covered by homeowner’s insurance policies.

Although these policies are created to cover home-related expenses, they also cover many aspects of life that go beyond domestic life, including dog bites that happen on or off the policyholders’ property. That means that if you get bitten by a dog while walking through your neighborhood or at a park, there’s a good chance the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance will kick in if you file an injury claim.

But what if the dog owner doesn’t have homeowner’s insurance? In this case, you may be eligible to claim compensation through their animal insurance if the owner has purchased it. If they haven’t, you can still file an injury claim, but it will likely be paid from the dog owner’s pocket. It’s common for bite victims to feel bad about doing so, but when they don’t pursue compensation, they have to bear the burden of those costs alone for a bite that wasn’t their fault!

Need more info or assistance with a dog bite claim? Contact the Virginia dog bite lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Why Dog Bites Can Lead to Permanent Disability

by admin@gotechark.com | February 1st, 2021

Being bitten by a dog is a painful, traumatic, and frightening experience. Even small breeds can cause serious injuries. All dogs have sharp teeth and powerful jaws, and when they bite, they can inflict significant damage to skin, muscles, tendons, nerves, and more. In addition to immediate concerns such as pain and bleeding, victims also may be at risk of long-term damage.

The biggest risk factor for long-term damage after a dog bite is nerve damage. Dog bite victims are especially vulnerable to nerve damage when they are bitten on their hands or fingers, as the nerves are close to the skin and easily damaged by dogs’ sharp teeth. People who suffer nerve damage may lose some or all use of their hands and fingers.

In addition to affecting mobility and use, dog bites can also cause long-term pain, especially when they affect nerves. Nerve damage doesn’t mean just loss of feeling or motion—it can also lead to uncomfortable and painful sensations, even when the injury from the bite itself appears to have healed. Finally, dog bites can result in serious infections that can sometimes require amputation to treat, which obviously results in profound disability due to lost digits or body parts.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia dog bite lawyers know how debilitating these injuries can be. That’s why we work hard to hold negligent dog owners accountable when their pets bite innocent victims and cause them to suffer pain and disability. If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, we want to help you get compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Is Considered Provocation in Dog Bite Cases?

by admin@gotechark.com | October 19th, 2020

When a dog bites someone, there’s a good chance the victim will be able to file a compensation claim against its owner. Dog bite injury claims are particularly viable if the owner failed to leash their dog or restrain it on private property. That means dog owners who let their pets roam free on trails, greenways, sidewalks, and even in their neighborhoods can be held liable if their bite or attack someone.

However, dog owners often have one major defense against liability when their pets bite: provocation. When it comes to dog bite claims, provocation refers to people acting in a manner around dogs that might entice them to bite. However, many actions that are often considered provocation are not. For example, petting a dog, playing with a dog, or even walking towards a dog should never be considered provocation.

Actual provocation includes actions that are clearly meant to frighten, harm, or startle a dog, including:

  • Hitting a dog
  • Trapping a dog
  • Intentionally stepping on a dog’s tail or feet
  • Pulling on a dog’s tail, ears, or other body parts

Dog owners must assume that others may want to approach and greet their pets. After all, most dogs love meeting new people. So when dog owners and their lawyers claim provocation due to a victim simply being near their dog or acting in a friendly manner towards it, they’re often fighting a losing battle.

If you were bitten by a dog, our Virginia dog bite lawyers can protect your rights, especially if you’re being accused or provocation as a way to avoid paying you a settlement. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.