Manchester Dog Bite Attorney
Helping Dog Bite Victims Recover Compensation for Serious Injuries and Trauma
According to data relied on by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), in one year 4.7 million people suffered a dog bite, with 799,700 of victims requiring medical care. Three hundred thirty-three thousand seven hundred people were treated for their injuries in the emergency room, and 6,000 of those patients were hospitalized for their wounds. Other data reveal that about three dozen people are killed every year in dog bites and attacks.
Dog bites and animal attacks are scary, painful and traumatic experiences that may leave victims with facial lacerations, fractures, nerve damage, deep wound bacterial infections, scarring and disfigurement. In addition to the physical pain and suffering during and after a dog bite, many victims experience psychological trauma that stays with them long after the attack and seriously impacts their quality of life.
New Hampshire law provides a way for dog bite victims to recover significant compensation to deal with the medical costs, rehabilitation and other damage they have suffered. The Manchester dog bite attorneys at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC are devoted to helping New Hampshire dog bite victims and their families get the compensation they need after suffering a severe injury in a dog bite or attack.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites in New Hampshire
New Hampshire law, specifically RSA 466.19, imposes strict liability on dog owners for the injuries and damages caused by their pets. “Strict liability” is a legal term that means the injury victim does not have to prove that the owner was negligent in their keeping or handling of the animal. So long as the victim was not “engaged in the commission of a trespass or other tort” when the attack occurred, the owner is strictly liable to the victim for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other recognized legal damages for a personal injury.
Negligence Standard when a Third Party Responsible for the Attack
Strict liability may not apply if the injury is due to the negligence of someone other than the dog’s owner or keeper. One example may be if a stray dog was allowed to roam free on the grounds of a school, daycare, senior center, apartment complex or shopping mall. Where property owners have assumed a duty to look out for the safety of others on their property, they can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence, whether due to a slip and fall, assault or dog bite.
Unlike strict liability claims, negligence claims require proving that the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff, the defendant breached that duty, and the defendant’s negligence caused the injury and resulting damages. Additionally, the dog’s owner may claim the victim was responsible for the attack by provoking the animal, failing to heed a warning, etc. It’s vital to obtain experienced legal representation when preparing a legal claim in a dog bite case.
The Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC is Here for You after a Manchester Dog Bite or Attack
at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC, you can count on our experience and dedication in New Hampshire personal injury law to thoroughly investigate the incident and pursue claims against all appropriate parties. Whether litigating claims under negligence or strict liability or negotiating a full and fair settlement with the insurance company, our decades of legal experience and steadfast commitment to client needs works to get you the medical care and compensation you need after a serious dog bite or animal attack in Manchester, Concord, Nashua or throughout New Hampshire. Call 603-624-7200 or 800-984-3151 for a no-cost, confidential consultation.
