Dog attacks can be terrifying. You do not always suspect a pet to bite, but when they do, it helps to know how to protect yourself legally. These unforeseen events can cause lasting pain and emotional trauma.
Knowing what you should gather to prove the owner’s negligence is vital to winning your case and receiving proper compensation. A Maine dog bite lawyer may be able to help you file your claim for compensation.
We want to help you understand what you should consider when filing a dog bite lawsuit. Knowing Maine’s dog bite laws will help you choose the right plan of action to negotiate your compensation.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755 today for your free case evaluation so we can get started assembling the correct evidence for your case.
Proving Liability in a Maine Dog Bite Claim
You should understand the three statues before filing a lawsuit for a dog bite in Maine because each requires a different type of evidence to prove liability, as shared by Maine MRS Title 7 §3961:
- Negligence Liability: If you were on the dog owner’s property, you must prove the owner or “keeper” of the dog was negligent in their responsibility for protecting you from the dog’s attack. You must be less than 50% at fault for the attack to be eligible for compensation.
- Strict Liability: If you can prove the attack was not on the owner’s property, then no amount of fault by the victim deducts from the compensation award.
- Dangerous Dog: If the owner knows their dog is dangerous or a nuisance as defined by MRS Title 7 §3907 and fails to follow ordinances in MRS Title 7 §3952-A, they may be liable to pay awards up to three times the amount of the civil claim.
Dangerous Breed Law
Maine does not have breed-specific legislation that would define one breed more dangerous than the other. Each unique case will examine which of the three statutes above fit the negligence with no breed prejudices. Looking over your options with a dog bite lawyer may help highlight which area suits your situation best.
Statute of Limitations for a Maine Dog Bite Claim
The time frame a victim has to file a lawsuit for a dog bite in Maine is six years from the incident. This assures that the victim has sufficient time to evaluate all damages and medical issues arising from the attack.
How a Maine Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
Statutes are in place to protect people and their property, so you may be unaware of the compensation you deserve. This is just one reason we can help you — we know what to look for when trying to prove negligence, no matter who (or what) caused your losses.
Supporting Your Case
When you hire an attorney to help you manage your case, they do more than just collect evidence. Our team wants to advocate for your compensation and support you through your pain and suffering. A lot goes into building a case, namely, whether the animal was on the owner’s property or not. We want to help you make the right decisions when confronting and negotiating your settlement with the negligent party.
Negotiating Your Claim
We have helped our clients win compensation in dog bite cases like yours. We know how to take the most challenging cases and turn them into awards that compensate you for your and your family’s suffering. We want to negotiate your terms based on evidence, and we understand that this may be challenging for an inexperienced party, especially when a loved one is hurt or killed.
You do not want to get bogged down with the stress of managing your settlement on your own, taking the chances of missing vital evidence due to stress. Let Pintas & Mullins Law Firm help guide you through your case and bring the negligent party to justice, all while negotiating the fairest possible compensation for your losses.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We are committed to your success. Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis. We do not accept any money until you have won.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 816-0755
Damages for a Dog Bite Claim in Maine
When filing a dog bite claim, you may qualify for economic and non-economic losses. However, there is a limit to non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim. A lawyer can give you a better estimate of what you could recover in a settlement.
Economic damages are:
- Medical costs
- Therapy due to the trauma
- Personal property damage costs
- Loss of wages
- Prescriptions
Non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of mentorship
Insurance Coverage for a Dog Bite in Maine
Homeowner’s insurance, and other dog bite insurance types, may cover a person’s damages in these cases. Therefore, finding a lawyer to help navigate the laws pertaining to your case may help you maximize your settlement while relieving you of the stress of managing it alone.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one is the victim of a dog bite in Maine, navigating the laws and understanding how they work towards your unique situation is complex. Furthermore, if the owner was not there during the incident, there may be even more to prove.
Gaining the assistance of a Maine dog bite lawyer to help you manage your personal injury claim may benefit you, especially while you are still recovering from your injuries. Working with us also alleviates the burden of fighting your case alone.
Contact our office today at (800) 816-0755 and let Pintas & Mullins Law Firm defend your claim. We can support you while you heal and ensure that your negotiations with the other party or their insurance companies do not go ignored.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form