DogBiteAccidentLawyer.com

The “One Bite Rule

In some states, a dog bite law that is referred to as the “one bite rule” governs whether or not a dog owner is liable for damages when their dog bites or attacks a person or another animal.  In those states that do not have a “one bite rule”, the rule is also often used to establish owner liability.  In a nutshell, under the “one bite rule”, an owner of a dog that has bitten before is liable for injuries that their dog causes since they knew or had reason to believe that the dog could cause injury. 

Simply put, under the “one bite rule”, the moment that your dog attempts to bite someone, you should consider it to be dangerous.  You are held liable if it does, on down the road, go on to bite someone or attack another dog or animal.  Under this rule, every animal is given one chance.  From that moment on, the owner of the dog knows that it is a danger and must take steps to prevent anyone from becoming injured – or face the consequences.  In some instances, those consequences may involve monetary damages paid to the victim of the dog bite attack.  In others, the owner may be required not just to pay punitive damages to the victim, but to face criminal penalties as well. 

Damages in a Dog Bite Case

Whether or not the “one bite rule” applies in your state, when a dog bite case moves to litigation, judges and juries look at whether or not the dog has a history of violent behavior, if the dog was provoked, and so on.  But most generally, the dog’s owner or his insurer is held accountable for damages from a dog bite attack, including medical damages, lost wages, pain and suffering, diminished capacity, and other damages to which the dog bite victim might be entitled.  If the dog has a history of biting, the owner will usually be deemed to lack regard for the safety of others and may be prosecuted for misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the attack.  In fact, in some instances, if a dog kills a person, the owner can be charged with murder or manslaughter. 

Consulting with a Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one, or even a cherished pet, have been victimized or mauled by a dangerous dog, act right away to protect your rights by consulting with a dog bite lawyer.  Consultation is free of charge and without obligation.  You can log on to DogBiteAccidentLawyer.Com to seek out a dog bite lawyer who has decades of experience in litigating dog bite injury cases.  DogBiteAccidentLawyer.Com has represented many dog bite victims and their families and has won over a billion dollars in compensatory awards to date.