Attorneys Seek Compensation for Severe Dog Bites
Experienced lawyers fight for victims in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan
Indiana, Illinois and Michigan rank among the most dangerous states in the nation for dog bites. To deter this problem and allow victims to pursue compensation, these states have enacted laws holding dog owners strictly liable for attacks by their pets. If you or a loved one has been bitten, a seasoned injury attorney can help you recover damages to pay your medical bills and compensate you for lost income and pain and suffering. For more than 30 years, Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC has helped our clients obtain full, fair damage awards for a range of serious injuries, many of them suffered by children, such as:
- Blood loss and shock
- Bone fractures
- Ligament, muscle and tendon damage
- Nerve damage
- Loss of a body part
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Vascular damage
- Wrongful death
Understanding strict liability for Indiana, Illinois and Michigan dog attacks
In many states, a victim must prove that a dog owner was negligent in handling the pet and that the owner’s negligence allowed the attack to happen. Other states say the owner must have prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, which essentially allows the animal one free bite before liability attaches to its master. But in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, a dog owner is strictly liable for an unprovoked dog attack on a person who is acting peaceably. In most cases, dog bite attorneys only have to prove that the victim had a lawful right to be in the place where the attack occurred and did nothing to incite the animal.
How serious is the dog bite problem in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan?
Insurance companies keep track of the number of claims they pay for different types of injuries in various states. Recent statistics from State Farm, one of the nation’s largest insurance carriers, indicate that Illinois ranks second in the nation, Michigan sixth and Indiana seventh for dog bites. In 2013, State Farm paid 337 claims for an estimated $9 million in Illinois, 151 claims for $4.6 million in Michigan, and 148 claims for a total of $2.7 million in Indiana.
Contact a resourceful Indiana dog bite lawyer for your Indiana, Illinois or Michigan case
Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC fights for injured clients in dog mauling cases. To learn more about our quality legal service, talk to a skilled attorney free of charge. Call our Crown Point office at 219.769.2900 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
