Dog Bite Injuries

Posted by rozeklawoffice on January 5, 2010 under Dog Bites, General | Be the First to Comment

Every day, over 1,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a dog bite. Every year, 800,000 Americans are injured so severely by a dog that they have to seek medical attention. Since the mid-1990’s, the number of dog bites has grown faster than the number of dogs. Over 30 dog attacks per year result in death.

The dog bite statutes of Wisconsin make a dog owner liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person. If the dog previously caused injury to person or property, the owner must pay double damages for the subsequent dog bite. The owner can also face a fines and other penalties.

In general, civil laws are designed provide monetary compensation for the victim and impose slight punishment on the owner of the dog, criminal laws are designed to impose punishment on the dog owner, and administrative laws are designed to punish the dog itself.

Two very general guidelines must be observed by an individual who has been bitten by a dog. First, if there is a chance that a government agency or employee, or a humane society might be legally responsible for the victim’s losses, the victim has approximately 120 days to make a claim in the manner required by law. Second, if there is no chance that a government agency or employee, or a humane society might be legally responsible for the victim’s losses, and the victim is an adult, then the victim has approximately three years to file the lawsuit in court. If the victim is a minor, then the statute of limitations is extended until 3 years or their 20th birthday, whichever is later.

About 99 out of 100 of dog bite cases are settled out of court as soon as the doctors are make their final prognosis, which is usually about one year from the date of the accident, depending on the type and severity of the injury caused by the dog bite.

For more information on Dog Bites.