Not many pets can offer the companionship and loyalty that a dog provides, and many well-adjusted dogs can show the same affection to others as they do to their owners. Unfortunately, dogs are animals, and even the most docile of them can suddenly lash out and attack another person, especially if they feel scared or unfamiliar with the person. The dog is usually not at fault for the attack, but the owner is responsible for their pet’s behavior, and they could be liable if their dog injures someone.
If you or a loved one have been hurt by someone’s dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and an Albuquerque dog bite lawyer could help you pursue a claim against the owner. The personal injury attorneys at Duran & McDonald have years of experience with claims and could provide you with skilled legal representation.
A dog’s teeth are sharp, and their jaws have more strength than meets the eye. This means that a dog’s bite has the potential danger of causing severe injuries to a person. In the best-case scenario, the person escapes with cuts that require some stitches and time to heal. The teeth could sever nerves at the point of attack and cause the person a permanent loss of feeling. Some dogs may instinctually target the face and neck area, potentially causing blindness if the teeth strike the eyes or causing death from a bite to the throat.
The sharp teeth penetrate the protective layer of skin, which could allow viruses, bacteria, or parasites to enter the person’s body. Cuts can heal, but an infection could be more devastating. Rabies is extremely rare in domestic dogs, but it is usually transferred to humans through an infected animal bite, and it is almost always fatal if not treated.
Being attacked by a dog is scary, and a person could be left with emotional trauma from the experience. This could manifest through anxiety, depression, or a lingering fear of all dogs. Victims of animal attacks could suffer life-threatening injuries and lasting mental issues, which is why dog bite victims should consult with an Albuquerque attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer could provide guidance on a person’s legal options and a path to getting compensation for their injuries.
If someone’s dog bites you, distance yourself immediately and then seek medical care within eight hours of the altercation. If you cannot get to a doctor immediately, the bacteria in the dog’s mouth put you at risk for infection. These infections are often severe because of the open jagged wound caused by the dog’s front teeth that compress the area, while their smaller teeth tear at your skin and underlying tissue. If your doctor can see you within eight hours, but not immediately, you can do the following:
You may also need a tetanus shot, depending on when your last shot was. Your doctor may recommend stitching the wound, especially if the bite is on your face. There is also a risk of contracting rabies if the dog was unvaccinated or feral.
When a dog attacks another person, the blame typically falls on the owner because they must have control over their pet’s behavior and knowledge of its tendencies. Generally speaking, if an owner knows or should have known their dog has a tendency to attack another person, they have the responsibility to prevent that from happening.
While New Mexico does not have specific laws on dog bites, state courts follow the one-bite rule. Under this rule, if the dog has previously bitten someone, the owner should know about this tendency and prevent it from happening again or be held liable for injuries caused by their pet. Even if the dog has no history of biting, if the owner knew or should have known that their pet exhibited aggressive behavior, they could be held responsible if their dog attacks someone.
Proving that the owner knew or should have known about their pet’s tendencies can be complex and very dependent on the facts. This is why anyone bitten by a dog in Albuquerque should discuss their case with an attorney. A skilled lawyer could investigate the situation to gather the evidence needed to prove the case.
Your first duty to your health and safety is to get medical help, and if your injuries are severe enough, you may not be thinking of what to do next. Do you call Animal Control? Do you take pictures with your cell phone? Do you solicit witness information? You can if you are able, but gathering and assessing evidence for a potential dog bite claim is one reason why contacting a lawyer is important in the early stages of your ordeal.
Our lawyers can help you reconstruct the situation, explain animal control laws and how owner liability works, and what must be done to prove your case. There may be questions about whether you teased the dog, trespassed to pet it, or whether it was on a leash in public when you were attacked.
You may believe you are entitled to your medical treatment, but there are other losses we can assess and seek compensation for. We do not leave any money on the table when it comes to the harm done to you. The wages you lose while recuperating are a loss, along with future medical treatment, including reconstructive surgery, and the emotional strain of being disfigured and in pain. You may also develop anxiety around dogs, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep issues that require medical intervention. We evaluate these losses and build a case to prove why you should be compensated for them.
We also apply our skills to negotiating with insurers, but if those talks break down because the final offer is unacceptable, we prepare for litigation by building the strongest case possible, drafting and filing the formal complaint, adhering to court deadlines, submitting timely filings, conducting discovery, and reviewing evidence from the dog owner’s attorney. We also prepare you prior to depositions and before you testify in court.
If you have been attacked by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the owner’s insurance, and an Albuquerque dog bite lawyer could help you through this process. You may be able to recover payment for your medical bills and other compensation.
An experienced attorney could provide dedicated representation for your case. Talk to a lawyer at Duran & McDonald to learn about your options.
