Dothan Dog Bite Lawyer

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Representing people injured by dog and animal bites in Dothan and Southeast Alabama. 

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Dothan or the surrounding Wiregrass area, Dothan Law Group can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries. Dog attacks can cause serious physical injuries, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and substantial medical expenses—particularly when the victim is a child.

Alabama law provides important protections for people injured by dogs, but determining liability can depend on where the attack occurred, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and what the dog's owner knew about the animal. Our attorneys investigate dog bite and animal attack claims, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue the compensation available under Alabama law.

 Dog Bites Can Cause Serious Injuries 

Dog attacks can cause injuries that extend far beyond the initial wound. Even a relatively brief attack can result in significant medical treatment, permanent scarring, or lasting emotional trauma.

Common dog bite and animal attack injuries include puncture wounds, deep cuts and lacerations, nerve and tendon damage, broken bones, infections, facial injuries, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and psychological trauma. Children can be particularly vulnerable to serious facial and head injuries because of their size.

Victims may require emergency treatment, surgery, antibiotics, reconstructive or plastic surgery, and continuing medical care.

Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite in Alabama? 

Liability for a dog attack in Alabama depends on the particular facts of the incident. A dog owner may be responsible under Alabama law when the circumstances of the attack satisfy Alabama's dog-bite statutes or when the owner knew, or had reason to know, that the dog had dangerous or vicious tendencies.

Evidence of dangerous tendencies is not necessarily limited to a previous bite. The dog's prior behavior, previous complaints or incidents, warnings, and the owner's knowledge of the animal can all become important issues in determining whether the owner may be held responsible.

Because these cases can turn on facts that existed before the attack occurred, investigating the dog's history as early as possible can be important.

Evidence We Look for After a Dog Attack

Building a dog bite claim may require more than simply proving that an attack occurred. Our attorneys investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and look for evidence that may help establish liability and the extent of the victim's damages.

Important evidence may include photographs and video of the injuries and location, medical records, witness statements, animal control or police reports, veterinary records, prior complaints involving the dog, evidence of previous aggressive behavior, communications involving the dog's owner, and available insurance information.

We also document the victim's medical treatment, scarring, lost income, pain, and other ways the attack has affected his or her life.

 A serious dog attack can create both immediate expenses and long-term consequences. Depending on the circumstances of the case, an injured person may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and other damages caused by the attack.

The value of a dog bite claim depends on the specific injuries and circumstances involved. Permanent facial scarring, reconstructive surgery, psychological trauma, and injuries to children can be particularly significant when evaluating the full effect of an attack.

Your health should come first after any animal attack. Seek appropriate medical treatment and follow the recommendations of your healthcare providers.

When possible, also:

1. Photograph your injuries as soon as possible and continue taking photographs as they heal. 
2. Identify the dog and its owner. 
3. Obtain contact information for witnesses. 
4. Report the attack to the appropriate animal control or law enforcement agency. 
5. Preserve torn or bloodied clothing and other physical evidence. 
6. Avoid posting about the incident or your injuries on social media. 
7. Keep records of medical treatment, prescriptions, missed work, and other expenses. 
8. Speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement or signing documents for an insurance company. 

Evidence can disappear and memories can fade, so investigating a serious dog attack promptly can make a significant difference.

If you or your child has been injured in a dog attack, Dothan Law Group can investigate what happened, determine the potential sources of liability and insurance coverage, and pursue a claim on your behalf.

Our personal injury attorneys represent injured clients on a contingency-fee basis. You do not owe an attorney fee unless we make a recovery for you.

Contact Dothan Law Group for a free consultation about your dog bite or animal attack claim.

Do I have a claim if a dog has never bitten anyone before?

Possibly. A prior bite is not always required for a dog owner to be held responsible. Alabama law recognizes different potential grounds for liability, and the dog's previous behavior, the owner's knowledge, where the attack occurred, and other circumstances can affect the claim.

What if the dog belonged to a friend, neighbor, or family member?

You may still have a claim. Dog bite claims are often covered by homeowners or renters insurance, meaning a claim may be handled through available insurance coverage rather than requiring the injured person to personally collect damages from someone they know.

What if my child was bitten by a dog?

Children can suffer particularly serious injuries from dog attacks, including facial injuries, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. A parent or guardian should obtain appropriate medical treatment and preserve photographs and other evidence of the child's injuries as they heal.

Can I recover for scars from a dog bite?

Permanent scarring and disfigurement can be important components of damages in a personal injury claim. Photographs documenting the injury throughout the healing process can help demonstrate how the appearance of the injury has changed over time.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Alabama?

The applicable deadline depends on the legal basis for the claim and the circumstances involved. Many Alabama personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, but exceptions and different rules can apply. It is better to have the applicable deadline evaluated promptly rather than assume a particular limitations period applies.

How much does it cost to hire Dothan Law Group for a dog bite case?

Dothan Law Group handles personal injury claims on a contingency-fee basis. You do not owe an attorney fee unless we make a recovery for you.

Call Dothan Law Group at (334) 793-4354 or contact us online for a free consultation. 

Learn more about the personal injury cases Dothan Law Group handles.