Windsor Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in a dog attack or is suffering from a bite wound, you may be in pain and feeling unsure of what steps to take to recover from your losses.
If you have been hurt by a dog, you may be able to recover compensation for damages you have incurred by working with our Windsor dog bite lawyers. To learn about your rights after a dog bite or dog attack, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE.
Types of Injuries After a Dog Bite or Dog Attack
There are a wide variety of injuries associated with a dog bite or dog attack. They may include but are not limited to:
- Bites to the head, neck, face, or extremities
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractures, particularly during falls
- Bruises and abrasions
- Injuries to nerves, particularly the face
- Muscular damage
- Amputation or partial amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Scarring
Dog bites also create opportunities for infection and disease, such as meningitis, endocarditis, tetanus, and rabies. Many victims also suffer from an emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their injuries.
Proving Liability in a Dog Attack
According to the Dog Owner’s Liability Act, dog owners are automatically responsible for injuries that people suffer from a bite or attack by their animals. It does not matter if the animal has no history of biting or if the animal was not known to be aggressive towards people or other animals. Nor does the dog owner have to have behaved negligently in the moments leading up to the bite or attack.
However, it is important to note that this does not guarantee you will receive compensation for your injuries. The charges, for example, maybe reduced if it is found that you were in a location you were not supposed to be, such as trespassing on the dog owner’s property.
A dog bite lawyer serving Windsor from Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to explain what your options are for recovering damages after a serious dog bite or dog attack. For a free initial consultation, contact us today at 1-800-JUSTICE.
Damages for Dog Bites in the Windsor Area
Every case is different, and the damages that you may be entitled to will depend on the details of your dog bite attack. While we cannot estimate your recoverable damages without first reviewing the details of your case, some damages that victims are able to recover after dog bite injuries include:
- Medical costs: These could include ambulance rides, medication, surgical expenses, doctor’s examinations, and other treatments.
- Lost wages: This may include not only past wages but future wages if your earning potential has been diminished or lost entirely.
- Out-of-pocket costs: This refers to any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of your injuries.
- Noneconomic damages: These include the cost of your pain and suffering as well as emotional distress that you have experienced as a result of the attack.
Wrongful Death
In the event of a fatal dog attack on your loved one, there are special damages that you may qualify for through a wrongful death claim, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
How the Statute of Limitations May Impact Your Claim
Ontario sets a deadline on the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit like a dog bite claim. You generally have two years from the date of your injury. The same applies to a wrongful death lawsuit.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as situations in which the victim is a minor or has a disability and is not represented by a qualified adult. Ontario also has an ultimate deadline of 15 years from the date of the injury. Even if the victim does not discover his or her injuries—or if a condition develops years later that stems from injuries sustained in a dog bite—the statute of limitations still applies.
How a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Windsor May Help
A dog bite lawyer serving Windsor may investigate your case and gather the necessary evidence to build a strong claim. Some steps that the Preszler Injury Lawyers may take include:
- Gathering evidence like witness statements, police reports, and video surveillance, if available
- Collecting medical records that show your treatment plan as well as prescribed medication, allowing us to calculate the full extent of your financial losses
- Determining the value of your case so that we can establish what a fair settlement would look like for your injuries
- Negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf
- Fighting for your rights at trial if an agreeable settlement cannot be reached
We understand how much pain you may be in after a severe dog bite or dog attack. We understand how these types of injuries—often occurring directly to the face—can be life-altering.
To receive a free, no-risk initial consultation, contact us today at 1-800-JUSTICE.