Keffer Hirschauer Indiana Law Firm Logo
Free Consultation
Keffer Hirschauer Indiana Law Firm Logo

Fort Wayne Dog Bite Lawyer

Man’s best friend, sure – but dogs also have the potential to cause serious injury if they bite or attack. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Fort Wayne, our dog bite attorneys can guide you through the process of bringing a claim against the dog’s owner and negotiating for a settlement that fairly compensated you. To learn more about the process of filing a dog bite claim and what your rights are after being bitten by a dog, please call our Fort Wayne dog bite lawyers directly today and request a free consultation.

Dog Bites: Injuries and Damages

Just the thought of being attacked by a dog is terrifying, let alone the actual experience. When a dog bites or attacks, damages suffered by the victim might include:

  • Severe bleeding;
  • A head/traumatic brain injury (if the victim falls and strikes their head);
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement;
  • Bone fractures;
  • Infection; and
  • Psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

These injuries will likely result in medical bills and, potentially, ongoing medical costs, as well as lost wages and a loss of earning capacity. In addition to compensation for these economic losses, a victim of a dog bite deserves to be compensated for their non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, too.

Liability for a Dog Bite in Fort Wayne

In Indiana, there is a strict liability statute in place for dog bites in certain situations. Under the statute, which is found in the Code of Indiana Section 15-20-1-3, the owner of a dog can be held liable for damages caused to someone who is bitten by their dog when:

  • The victim was acting peaceably;
  • The victim was in a place where they were legally required to be – for example, a mail person who is delivering the mail on the dog owner’s property.

Under the statute, the owner of the dog can be held liable even if the dog has not shown signs of aggression or has never bitten someone in the past.

The statute doesn’t apply to everyone in every situation, though. As such, it’s also important to turn to case law or common law. Under common law, a person can bring a case based on negligence against the dog owner if they have been bitten by a dog. In a negligence-based case, the victim needs to prove that the dog bite would not have happened but for the dog owner’s negligence. For example, if the dog owner knew or should have known that their dog had a propensity for aggression yet failed to restrain the dog, they could be held liable for the full extent of your damages, including your pain and suffering.

Get Help with Your Case from a Fort Wayne Dog Bite Attorney

If you have been attacked by a dog, you have the right to be paid for the full extent of damages you’ve suffered. Our Fort Wayne dog bite lawyers can help you to understand your rights and how to file a claim, and will represent you throughout the entirety of the process. We offer free consultations and always work on a contingency fee basis. Call us today or send us a message online to get started.