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At Marasco & Nesselbush, we understand that a dog bite can lead to significant physical injuries and emotional distress. Whether stemming from fear or aggression, these incidents can impose lasting effects. Our experienced Rhode Island dog bite lawyers are committed to defending your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Being the victim of a dog attack can be a disturbing and tragic nightmare. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog attack, know that Rhode Island dog owners must be held accountable, and don’t delay contacting our Rhode Island dog bite lawyers.
General Dog Bite Statistics
- Average daily emergency department visits for non-fatal dog bite injuries: 1,000
- Need for hospital admission: 1.7% of dog bite victims
- Average victim age: 28.9 years
- Number of dog bite insurance claims: 19,062
- The average cost for a dog bite insurance claim: $58,545
- Liability claims paid by homeowners’ insurance regarding dog bite injuries: $1.12 billion
Common Types Of Dog Bite Injuries In Rhode Island
Dogs are our furry best friends and members of the family. So, it is hard to imagine them causing any harm. But, no matter how tame and trained a dog may seem, they still retain their basic animal instincts. If provoked, harmed, threatened, or afraid, dogs will attack and can cause devastating injuries to their owners, other people, and even other animals.
Common types of dog bite injuries include:
- Lacerations: A dog’s teeth can cause deep cuts or tears in the skin. These lacerations often require stitches or surgical intervention for treatment.
- Punctures: Dog bites can lead to puncturing wounds that damage muscles and tissues, which can sometimes lead to infections.
- Dog bite scars: Severe bites can result in permanent marks or disfigurement, particularly in sensitive areas like hands or the face.
- Broken or fractured bones: Strong dog jaws can cause fractures in the arms, hands, or legs, especially when the victim tries to defend themselves.
- Facial damage: Bites to the face can cause significant trauma and emotional distress, often requiring hospital admission and reconstructive surgery.
- Nerve damage: Dog bite injuries can sever or damage nerves in the affected area, resulting in long-term pain, loss of sensation, or impaired mobility.
- Internal bleeding: In severe cases, dog bites can damage blood vessels, causing internal bleeding – a potentially life-threatening condition if left untreated.
- Bacterial and other infections: Dog bites introduce bacteria like rabies or Pasteurella in the wounds, which can lead to serious infections in the absence of prompt medical treatment.
Many of these injuries come with significant recovery and rehabilitation time, and a dog attack can even lead to the victim’s death if severe enough.
What Does Rhode Island Law Say About Dog Bites?
Dog bite laws in Rhode Island can get complicated depending on the circumstances of the case and where the attack occurs.
Strict Liability law
Rhode Island has a strict liability law for dog attacks that occur outside an enclosed area on the animal owner’s or keeper’s property. Rhode Island law § 4-13-16 provides that the owner or keeper is strictly liable for the injuries sustained in such an incident. If a second attack occurs, the dog owner or keeper must pay double the damages, and the dog must be put down. To win this claim, you do not have to prove that the dog owner or keeper knew that the dog has a disposition to harmful behavior.
The strict liability law applies not just to the dog’s owner but also to any “keeper” of the dog. Thus, if the dog was under the care of someone other than the owner, that person could be held liable for the attack.
‘One-Bite’ rule
If the dog bites you inside the owner’s or keeper’s enclosure, such as inside an apartment or within the boundary lines of a house, then Rhode Island law follows the “one-bite rule.” Under this rule, the dog’s owner is only liable for an attack if they knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious nature and propensity to bite someone.
Practically, this means that if this is the first bite, the owner is presumed unaware of the dog’s vicious tendencies. In other words, the owner is given a “free pass” for the first bite. The owner can be liable for subsequent bites because they know the dog is violent.
Because of such legal complexities, you should contact an experienced dog attack lawyer who can explain your legal rights and determine if you have a dog bite claim. Schedule an appointment with Marasco & Nesselbush now.
What Should I Do If A Dog Bites Me In Rhode Island?
A dog attack often occurs quickly before you can comprehend what is happening. It is a traumatizing event. But, it is essential to act quickly to protect your health and legal rights.
Here are important steps you should take following a dog attack:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: First, seek out medical assistance. Nothing is more important than your health. Call an ambulance or contact your primary care provider immediately.
- Identify The Dog’s Owner: Next, try to obtain the dog owner’s contact details and the dog’s information. Also, inquire about the dog’s vaccination status and whether it has any diseases that can be transferable to you via the attack.
- Report The Incident: Notify local authorities or animal control to file an official report. This documentation is crucial to ensure the dog is monitored to avoid future incidents.
- Obtain Insurance Information: If the dog owner has homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, collect their insurance details to help you cover your medical bills and other damages.
- Document The Bite: Don’t forget to take photos of the injuries, the location of the attack, and, if you can, the dog. Also, keep a record of any medical treatment, expenses, and other communication related to your treatment.
- Consult A Lawyer: Contact a dog bite attorney to determine if your case has enough merit to bring a claim.
- Follow Up With Your Medical Provider: Stay in contact with your healthcare provider to monitor your recovery and address any complications that may arise.
Injured and not sure what your case is worth? Find out for free.
Compensation Available For A Rhode Island Dog Bite
A dog bite attack can leave you or your loved ones with terrible injuries and mounting bills. Therefore, contacting a dog bite attorney as soon as possible is crucial. Dog owners must be held accountable for the egregious acts of their dogs. You may be entitled to seek compensation such as:
- Lost wages: If you had to take time off work due to your injuries or to care for your loved one’s injuries following a dog bite attack, you can recover your lost wages.
- Loss of future earning capacity: If injuries from the attack left you unable to do your job or you had to cut hours, you can get damages for loss of future wages.
- Medical expenses: Doctor visits, hospital stays, lab tests, prescriptions, therapy, and rehabilitation are all types of medical costs that may be recouped.
- Pain and suffering: A dog bite attack is an agonizing event. Thus, you can also recover damages for your pain and suffering.
The total amount of compensation varies with every case. It depends on different circumstances, such as the severity of the injuries from the bite.
Also, note that insurance companies may be involved. Sometimes, dog bites are covered by homeowner’s insurance, and insurance companies are ruthless about protecting their bottom line. They will try to settle your case as quickly as possible for as little as possible.
Never deal with an insurance company alone. Our lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush know how to handle insurance companies and their unscrupulous practices. We will help you recover the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Is There A Deadline To File A Rhode Island Dog Bite?
Personal injury claims such as dog bite injuries must be brought within a certain timeframe. Otherwise, you will be barred from bringing the claim. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. Rhode Island law § 9-1-14 sets a deadline of three years from the date of the dog attack to file suit against the responsible party.
You should contact a Rhode Island dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your claim and give them sufficient time to build a strong case. Trying to file a lawsuit past the three-year deadline will result in a dismissal of your case.
Call The Rhode Island Dog Bite Injury Lawyers At Marasco & Nesselbush For A Free Consultation
Our Rhode Island dog bite lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush will help you navigate the complexities of dog bite laws. Our dog bite attorneys will dedicate their experience, knowledge, and passion for justice to defending your rights.
Our thorough understanding of Rhode Island dog bite laws, and experience in representing victims of such attacks lead to the best results. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to bring your case to a successful resolution.
You can contact us at any of our offices in Providence, RI; East Providence, RI; Warwick, RI; Wakefield, RI; and Woonsocket, RI; call us at (401) 240-1848 or fill out our online contact form.
