When you get attacked by a dog, it can leave you with both physical and psychological scars. A dog attack can be a traumatic experience, and healing from your injuries can be a long and painful process. In addition to medical bills, you will likely face a variety of other expenses as well. Collecting compensation from the at-fault party can be essential to cover your costs.
At the law offices of McCoy & Hiestand, we have a reputation for helping injury victims recover damages from the responsible party. Our team of dog bite injury attorneys in Georgetown can help get you the money you need to get back on your feet after an attack. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with a legal professional today.
Proving Liability for a Dog Bite in Kentucky
Because of the way dog bites are handled in Kentucky, proving fault is often fairly straightforward. However, complications can arise if the owner of the dog can not be identified, or if there are other issues such as allegations of trespassing, adequate warning or provocation. Fortunately, an experienced dog bite lawyer in Georgetown can investigate your case to help determine who is at fault.
If the dog is a stray, you may have a case against the city if they had been notified of the stray dog and not taken action to prevent the attack.
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Make Sure to File Your Dog Bite Lawsuit on Time
When attempting to recover compensation by suing the liable party, it is critical that you pay attention to the statute of limitations. In Kentucky, dog bite victims generally have one year to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Failure to act before this deadline passes will likely mean the loss of your ability to pursue compensation.
However, you must realize that exceptions exist which could alter the standard deadline. An exception to your case could allow you to file a lawsuit years after the statute of limitations runs out. Alternatively, another exception could place further restrictions on the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.
The best thing you can do to protect your right to recover compensation is to hire an experienced dog bite attorney in Georgetown. Your lawyer can identify if any exceptions apply to your case and ensure that all deadlines are met.
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Damages You Can Pursue After a Dog Bite Injury
After suffering a serious injury because of a dog bite, you can likely claim a variety of damages. All compensatory damages you are able to pursue are split between economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any losses caused by the attack that hurt you financially. The most commonly available economic damages after a dog bite injury include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning power
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include all other losses you suffered as a result of the attack. The most commonly available non-economic damages after a dog bite injury include:
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring or other disfigurements
- Decreased quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
In extreme cases, punitive damages may also be available. A judge will award punitive damages as a means of punishing the liable party if they are guilty of criminal negligence or carried out actions with the purpose of causing harm.
The Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend
When dealing with an insurance company after suffering an injury, you need to understand that they do not have your best interests at heart. These companies care far more about protecting their money than they do about protecting the people who rely upon them.
Following a dog bite injury, you can expect the liable party’s insurer to pull out all the stops as they attempt to deny or devalue your claim. Unfortunately, many injury victims believe the advertisements that portray insurance companies as helpful friends willing to lend a hand. That makes it easy for these companies to employ their tricks to minimize how much you can collect.
The best way to protect yourself is by declining to speak to the insurance company until you have obtained the services of an experienced Georgetown dog bite attorney.
After you have hired a lawyer, the insurer will be prohibited from contacting you directly. Making them deal with your lawyer will level the playing field and increase your odds of getting the money you need.
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Dog Bite Cases Usually Conclude With a Settlement Deal
When filing a lawsuit after a dog bite, you should understand that most of these cases end up settling out of court. Reaching a settlement deal is often in the best interest of all parties involved as it means a greatly reduced time for concluding the case and moving on, as well as the ability to avoid the uncertainty of a courtroom trial.
While it is probable that your case will resolve through an out-of-court settlement, you still need to make sure you are prepared to fight for compensation at trial. You may find that the other party is unwilling to negotiate for one reason or another. If this is the case, you will have to go to court to fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Georgetown Today
Hiring an experienced attorney after suffering a dog bite injury is the best way to increase your odds of getting the financial compensation you need. At McCoy & Hiestand, our team of dog bite injury attorneys in Georgetown has helped countless victims get the money they deserve.
Complete our online contact form or give us a call to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
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