Most of the dog attack cases do not reach the court. In most cases, victims tend to avoid the embroilment and prefer settling the case through negotiation with the dog owner.
Dog attack can be a serious incident. The dog bite may result in infections leading to serious conditions, such as rabies. Besides bringing about unavoidable treatment expenses, these incidents may force you to take time off, thus causing you to lose part of your income.
Considering the consequences of the occurrence, it is a good idea to file a dog attack lawsuit and collect compensation for your injuries. Here is a brief guide on how you can file a dog attack lawsuit to get compensated.
Consult a Dog Attack Attorney
The first step to initiating the dog attack claim is finding a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who is well-versed with the laws pertaining to dog attack. The attorney will review your case, identify the liability of the dog owner, and determine the validity of the case before proceeding with the lawsuit. As dog attack laws vary across state, a careful understanding of the liability of the dog owner is essential to win the case. The type of the liability typically depends on the laws of the state in which you are filing the case as well as the circumstances of the incident.
Collect Evidence to Support Your Claim
You may need concrete evidence to support your claim before the court of law. The evidence may include photos of the injury, photos of the place where the incident occurred, the copies of medical records detailing the cause of injury, and the statement of medical expenses. Besides this, you also need to provide your attorney with the names and contact details of witnesses to the incident. These witnesses may help significantly if the case goes to the trial.
Send a Demand Letter
Once you have enough evidence, you need to draft a demand letter to notify the dog owner of your intent. The letter should detail the incident, the injuries you have received, your intention of filing the lawsuit, and the evidence you have to back up your claim. Also, include the settlement amount that you might accept to withdraw the case.
If the dog owner agrees on the settlement amount, then the matter is dismissed once you receive the compensation. If the parties do not arrive at a settlement even after negotiation, the case will be taken to the trial.
Dog attack trials can be lengthy and challenging. However, it is best to acquire the services of a professional legal expert to seek the right guidance for your lawsuit.
If you are seeking a personal injury lawyer for your dog attack case in Ohio, call us at (330) 535-1555 today. As one of the leading law firms in Akron, we have some of the best legal experts to not just guide you in the right direction, but also help you win the lawsuit.