Each day in America, around 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for dog bite injuries. In 2016, 31 people died because of a serious dog attack. If a dog bites you, you have the right to seek compensation. The Montana dog bites lawyers of Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C. have the experience you need. For over 30 years, our attorneys have worked tirelessly to see victims with serious injuries get the compensation they need to help pay for expensive medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Montana Laws Surrounding Dog Safety
While in a public place or lawfully on someone else’s private property, the owner of the dog is liable for any damages suffered by a person bitten by the dog, whether the dog had ever bitten someone before or was a breed of dog known to be dangerous. This is known as strict liability. Where some states may not hold an owner responsible unless he or she knew it to be vicious, usually by biting someone before, in Montana, the owner is responsible the first time an animal bites someone.
Montana also specifies that any person lawfully on the dog owner’s property can hold the owner responsible for any injuries suffered from a dog bite.
What Type of Injuries Can Dog Bites Cause?
Children are more likely to suffer a dog bite than adults. This may be due to their smaller size presenting less of a threat to the dogs and because children don’t understand that dogs may interpret their behavior as aggressive.
Dog bites are generally punctured wounds caused by the animal’s teeth. The severity of the injury depends on the number of teeth that puncture the skin, how deep the puncture wounds go, and how long the dog held on to the victim before he or she was able to escape. A dog may also do tearing damage to skin and muscle and may damage ligaments and joints as it attempts to shake or pull at the victim.
Dog bites can result in injuries to any part of the body. Injuries to the limbs are more common, but victims may also experience injuries to the face, neck, or head resulting in serious injury or death.
What Is the Treatment for Dog Bites?
Infection is of great concern with dog bite injuries. Medical personnel will usually prescribe antibiotics for any dog bite victim. Serious wounds may require stitches. In some cases, patients may require surgery for serious injuries sustained in a dog attack.
Who Is Liable?
In most cases, the dog owner is the person liable for any injuries done by a dog. However, if the dog was in the care of someone else, a dog walker or boarding with someone, for example, that person may be liable for the attack as well. In some cases, the property owner may be different than a dog owner. If a property owner’s negligent maintenance made it possible for a dog to escape the premises and attack someone, that person may be liable for the dog bite injury as well.
Contact Our Montana Dog Bite Lawyers at Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C. Today!
Dog bite injuries are painful, traumatic experiences. Call Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with one of our dog bite attorneys. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t pay any fees unless we win a settlement of judgment for you. We have helped many others get needed compensation after a dog bites and have the experience to fight for your rights while you focus on recovery from your injuries. Put our experienced staff to work for you today.
