If you, your child, or another loved one suffered a serious or fatal dog bite injury, a Montana dog bite lawyer can help you pursue financial awards for your damages. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case with our legal team.
The Dangers of Dog Bites
Dog bites carry a high risk of major medical concerns, including injuries, illness, and sometimes even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dogs of all ages can carry a variety of germs that they can transmit to humans, from skin infections to serious illnesses. Certain diseases, such as rabies, can cause permanent injury or even death.
Infections
Many dog bites break the skin, causing mild or severe lacerations. In some cases, victims only require at-home care for their bite wounds. However, doctors recommend that victims see a healthcare provider within 24 hours of the attack if the bite broke the skin, as infection can occur quickly in even the smallest wounds. Without proper cleaning and treatment, victims may notice signs of infection such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Pus or discharge
- Pain
- Fever
If left untreated, infections may worsen and spread throughout the body, causing systemic illness or death.
Injuries
The severity of dog bite injuries depends on the location of the bite and the severity of the attack. Injuries can occur anywhere on the body and may have immediate effects, such as cases involving open wounds. Victims may not notice other types of injuries until later, such as those that result from bites that do not break the skin but damage underlying tissue.
Severe bruising, tendon and ligament tears, puncture wounds, and broken bones account for many serious dog bite injuries. If you or someone in your family suffered these or other injuries, a Montana dog bite lawyer can help you seek financial recovery. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today and a member of our legal team will discuss your options with you.
Who Dogs Bite
Anyone of any age can suffer a dog bite injury. While the study on the demographics of dog bites determined an average victim age of 28.9 years, it also noted that young children account for a large number of dog bite victims every year. When dogs bite young children, particularly those aged 10 and under, the children most often suffer injuries to their heads and necks, while older children and adults typically end up with lower arm, hand, leg, and/or groin area injuries.
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Why Dogs Bite
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes that any dog, regardless of age, sex, or breed, can bite, and they do so as a response to something they do not like. Even friendly dogs may bite if they feel sick, stressed, scared, or threatened, as is often the case with young children. They may also accidentally cause injuries while playing with humans.
Dog owners have a responsibility to use reasonable safety measures such as leashes and fences, train and handle their dogs properly, and ensure the safety of those around them by limiting their dogs’ contact with others. If your dog bite injuries resulted from the negligence of its owner, an attorney can help you build your case.
A Montana Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Compensation
According to Montana Code Annotated §27-1-715, if an unprovoked dog bites a person who rightfully occupies private or public property, the owner of the dog holds full responsibility for the victim’s damages regardless of whether or not they knew of the dog’s aggressive tendencies or if the dog had bitten another person in the past. This statute protects your right to pursue financial recovery for the injuries you suffered in your dog bite case.
Total amounts and types of financial awards you may receive in your Montana dog bite case vary depending on the circumstances, but they may include compensation for:
- Emergency medical care, rehabilitation, surgeries, and other injury-related healthcare expenses
- Property damage for personal belongings damaged in the attack
- Lost wages if you had to miss time at work to recover
- Loss of future wages if you cannot return to work due to your injury or you lost a loved one who provided you with financial support
- Pain and suffering for your physical and emotional trauma
- Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one suffered fatal bite injuries
A lawyer can help you assess your damages and seek fair financial awards for your injuries.
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Montana Statutes of Limitations on Dog Bite Claims
Victims of dog bites and the immediate family members of victims who suffer fatal bite injuries may file claims to pursue compensation for the damages incurred by their injury or loss. However, in Montana, you only have a certain period of time, known as a statute of limitations, during which you can do so. If claimants miss this time frame, they lose their opportunity to seek legal action in their dog bite case.
Victims can file personal injury claims, in which they pursue financial recovery for the damages resulting from their own injuries, within three years of the date of the incident. Similarly, family members can file a wrongful death claim for damages incurred by the loss of their loved one within three years from the date of their passing. Even if you have plenty of time, a Montana dog bite lawyer would recommend starting the process as soon as possible to avoid preventable delays and ensure that you do not miss your window of opportunity.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for Legal Help
Dog bites affect millions of people throughout the U.S. each year, and some leave victims with serious, permanent, or even fatal injuries. Victims and their families should not have to pay for their damages that resulted from the dog owner’s negligence, and the attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you hold them accountable for the harm they caused. Contact us today at (800) 816-0755 to speak with our legal team about your case..
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