Dogs can be our best friends and loyal guardians. It is common to listen to a dog owner gush about how their furry family member makes life better. While many domesticated and socialized dogs will live up to those boasts, not all do. A pet may get startled or misinterpret an eager person’s attempts to play as a threat and protect itself by striking out with a bite or attack.
When it comes to canines that have not been properly treated or trained, the possibility of attack increases. Dog bites are serious injuries that warrant equally serious compensation. If you are a victim of a dog attack, get help from the Fayetteville personal injury attorneys at LeVar Law.
The Damage Dog Bites Can Do
There are millions of dog bites nationwide each year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Some may be addressed with thorough washing and a bandage, though even these minor injuries can lead to infection and warrant a call to your doctor. Dog saliva carries germs and bacteria, and one particularly dangerous strain called Capnocytophaga. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that these germs can lead to organ damage, heart attacks, and sepsis if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Dogs’ jaws are powerful, and the pressure they exert is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The World Animal Foundation (WAF) recognizes the Kangal as having the highest bite force at 743 PSI. The English Mastiff comes sixth on the list with a 550 PSI bite. Other dogs included on the “Top 22” list and more commonly seen in Arkansas include:
- Rottweilers: 328
- American Bulldogs: 305
- German Shepherd: 238
- Pitbull: 235
- Boxer: 230
- Doberman: 229
- Chow Chow: 220
For comparison, estimates put an average-but-seasoned boxer’s punch in the mid-700 PSI range. The average punch of an untrained person is about 150 PSI. A dog’s jaws are capable of inflicting significant damage. Injuries can include:
- Nerve damage
- Bone breaks
- Lacerations
- Disfiguring Scars
Research included in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports that the face is an area commonly injured by dog bites, and that facial bites cause substantial trauma. Victims experience emotional, physical, and psychological effects. Children are most commonly affected by facial bites and often need extensive medical care and reconstructive procedures.
Dog Bite Statistics
The AMVA states “hundreds of thousands” of dog-bite victims must seek medical attention each year, and about half of the victims are children. Follow our suggestions if your child is attacked by a dog to protect your case and your child’s well-being.
According to CDC statistics, the number of fatalities resulting from dog bites or attacks has increased in recent years. Over a recent four-year period, dog-attack-related deaths “more than doubled.” If you have lost a loved one to a dog attack, connect with us for help pursuing justice and compensation through a wrongful death claim.
How to Protect Kids from Aggressive Dogs
Adults may recognize the signs of an aggressive dog or recognize when a usually calm dog is agitated and may become aggressive. Adults are also generally more aware of why dogs bite. The AMVA explains that dogs may bite:
- To defend themselves
- To defend their Territory
- When they feel scared
- If they sense a threat
- When guarding something they value, such as their puppies, food, or toys
- If they are sick or in pain
Typical childhood behaviors may trigger a dog’s bite response. Kids are curious and may reach out to investigate a dog’s ears, tail, or toys, not recognizing the dog’s discomfort or possessiveness. Children act erratically, standing still one moment and suddenly breaking into a run, jump, or wiggly dance move that could startle a dog the next.
To protect kids, keep them away from aggressive dogs or keep the dog crated, leashed, and muzzled. Never leave a child alone with a dog. Introduce children to dogs, even seemingly docile ones, carefully. Teach children not to approach dogs in a rambunctious manner and to let the animal sniff them before they try to pet it. Children must be taught to touch and speak to dogs gently, and to recognize any signs of agitation and move away.
If children are confronted by an aggressive dog, VCA Animal Hospitals advises standing still and staying quiet. If the dog knocks the child down, the child should roll into a ball and lie still, then tell an adult as soon as it is safe for them to move.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
The City of Fayetteville provides answers to the question of what to do after a dog or animal bite has occurred. Health and safety come first, so the first step is washing the wound with soap and water. Consult your doctor for guidance on how to prevent or recognize the symptoms of infection. For bites resulting in open and bleeding wounds, you need to get medical attention right away. Do not hesitate to call 911 so that law enforcement can subdue the dog, if necessary, and provide emergency care.
Take down as many details of the dog (or animal) as you can, including its color, size, and breed. If the owner is present or someone you know, ensure you obtain their contact details and request information about the dog’s vaccination history. Call animal services if the incident occurs during business hours or the Fayetteville Police Department for those occurring after hours. Alerting these official agencies, especially if the dog is a stray, allows investigation and capture to prevent the possible spread of rabies.
Additional Ways to Support Your Dog Bite Claim From the Start
You can take measures in the moments and days after the dog bite to strengthen your dog-bite claim.
- Document Injuries and Damages: Take pictures of your injuries. If your clothes or other property were torn or damaged in the attack, store them carefully. Keep all medical records and related bills, and document all appointments and treatment.
- Photograph Evidence: If a dog escaped its enclosure and then attacked you, take pictures of the holes in the fence or other security lapses that allowed the dog to get loose.
- Watch What You Say: If the dog owner’s insurance representatives get in touch, do not talk to them about the event or agree to a settlement offer without first speaking with a dog bite lawyer. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not prioritize your best interests.
Then, connect with an attorney. LeVar Law has over 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. We know how to efficiently navigate your case through the legal process and secure the highest compensation available.
How Our Dog Bite Attorneys in Fayetteville, AR Fight for You
The sooner we enter into a legal partnership, the better it will be for your case outcome. Fast access to your case allows us to investigate while the evidence is still fresh. For example, if witnesses saw the attack, their memories will be more vivid and detailed in the days closely following the event. We want to obtain their valuable testimony as soon as possible. The attack may have been caught on nearby security cameras. That footage could be erased over time.
Your dog bite attorney will conduct a deep dive into the events surrounding the attack and into the dog owner’s awareness of the dog’s potential for aggression. This awareness plays a crucial role in determining whether the dog owner can be held liable for damages. Witnesses, video footage, and your own account can help determine whether the dog owner took active measures to prevent the attack, which is their responsibility.
We will also speak with your medical team and other medical experts to understand the scope of your injuries and their effects on your life. To be eligible for compensation, your injuries must be serious.
Deadline to File a Statute of Limitations
Arkansas has a three-year statute of limitations for filing most accident and injury claims. By making a prompt connection with our team, you allow us the time to investigate the attack, gather evidence, and file against the negligent party within the specified deadline.
Failure to meet this requirement could result in a case dismissal, and you may lose your opportunity for justice. That said, do not ever assume you have missed your opportunity without getting a free case review from us. Sometimes, case circumstances allow for extensions.
Protecting You From False Accusations
Arkansas allows victims to pursue compensation for a dog bite or other accident-related injury if they are less than 50% to blame for the incident. Those who meet this threshold can still experience a compensation reduction if a smaller percentage of blame is assigned to them.
You can expect the at-fault party and their representatives to look for ways to put fault on your shoulders. They may claim that you provoked the dog or that you had the opportunity to escape the attack but failed to do so. Your experienced dog bite attorney will challenge those claims and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available to Dog-Bite Victims
There is no “set” amount of compensation for dog bite victims. Amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific factors of each situation. The extent of your injuries and consequences and the degree of the dog owner’s negligence, among other factors, figure prominently in this calculation.
Our experienced team of dog bite lawyers will assess your case with meticulous care, not overlooking any details when calculating your losses. You expect us to fight for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages recover your financial losses. They include your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses related to the incident.
Non-economic damages are more subjective. They provide financial acknowledgment of the non-tangible losses you sustained, such as your physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or other disfigurement. Our case results show the significant accident and injury settlements we have secured for our deserving clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Dog Bites
We have answers to all your questions about dog bites. If you do not see your concern addressed here, please call or send us a message, and we will respond to you.
Does Arkansas Have a Dog-Bite Law?
The State does not have a specific dog-bite law, but does have an Unlawful Dog Attack statute. A person commits this offense if they own a dog they know has a propensity to hurt others, allow the dog to attack someone, even if just through negligence and not a direct order, and the dog injures or kills someone.
The State lays out additional dog-owner responsibilities through its dog bite and leash laws. Local municipalities can also enact their own regulations, as seen in Chapter 92 of the Fayetteville Ordinances.
Who Pays My Compensation?
In many dog-bite cases, the claim is against the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy. Some cases may present additional complications or require other resources. Your Dog bite lawyer in Fayetteville, AR will identify all possible compensation sources and demand a fair amount.
Will My Case Go to Court?
Personal injury claims often settle out of court. Your attorney and representatives for the negligent party negotiate until reaching a compensation agreement. Sometimes the other side is not committed to achieving a fair settlement, and if this happens in your situation, we will be ready to go to trial. Our firm’s willingness to take cases to court can put the opposing side on notice, help move negotiations along, and increase settlement offers.
We Stand With You and Fight for You
LeVar Law fights for victims. Throughout the battle, we will give you reliable guidance and steadfast support. When you bring your case to us, it becomes our shared case, and securing the best possible outcome is personal to us.
Connect with our dog bite lawyers by calling, messaging us, or sending a message, and we will arrange a complimentary consultation. You never have to worry about costs with our team. We accept no upfront payments and only get paid if we deliver you compensation. Place your case in our capable and experienced hands today.
