What to do When Bitten by a Dog

It is almost certain that you will live next to someone who owns a dog at some point in your life. Maybe you already do. There is a large amount of people in the United States that own a dog, almost 50% of the entire population. While many dogs are wonderful pets, we have all come into contact with one that was aggressive. Many times, the dog will only bark at you, but it is not uncommon for a dog to actually attack and bite a human. Sometimes this is a sincere accident, brought on by factors that make the dog think you are an intruder or something of that sort. Other times, the dog just has a vicious nature. If a dog bites you, it can cause serious injuries. There is help that you can find though if the hospital bills start to pile up.

It is possible to hold the owner of the dog liable for the injuries you sustain, provided that certain facts are proven. There are two things that must be shown in order to hold the owner liable: (1) that the dog has vicious tendencies or dangerous propensities; and (2) that the owner knew, or should have known, of such tendencies or propensities. It can be difficult to prove the first test. Many different kinds of facts can be used to show tendencies or propensities. In an Arkansas Supreme Court case, this test was met when it was shown that the dog in question had attacked police officers sent to investigate it. The dog was tied up for 10 days, after which the owner of the dog allowed it to roam free and unfortunately the dog attacked a neighbor. These facts were enough to meet both tests. The past violent conduct showed a tendency and the fact that the owner knew the dog had been violent and the past meant that he should have known of these tendencies.

In that case, the individual who was bit was awarded damages for the amount of the medical bill and the pain and suffering they endured as a result of the healing process. Dog bites can become a very serious injury, causing medical bills to quickly mount up. Do not let an opportunity to get help with those bills pass you by. At Oliver Law Firm we have years of experience litigating complex cases and representing clients who have suffered from personal injuries. With our representation, you can rest assured that we will go the extra mile to provide you the legal help you deserve. Our office is located just West of Exit 81 on I-49 in Rogers, Arkansas. Give us a call at 479-202-5200.

We serve Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale, Lowell, Bella Vista, Centerton, Decatur, Highfill, Cave Springs, Gravette, Pea Ridge, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Berryville, Eureka Springs and all of Arkansas.