Dog Bite Lawyer

The number of dog owners in Nebraska and Iowa can’t be overstated. While this may be a common sight across the state, adults and particularly children should always be cautious.

As animals, even domesticated dogs have instincts that can be triggered if they feel threatened or sense hostility. When cornered or challenged their instincts can kick in, and often the dog’s only defense is to bite.

When you need a dog bite lawyer in Nebraska and Iowa, turn to the legal professionals at Berry Law. If you, your child, or any family member were hurt in a dog attack you may be eligible for financial compensation for the injuries you sustained and other related losses. Reach out to the Berry Law dog bite lawyers in Nebraska and Iowa for help recovering the financial compensation you deserve.

Nebraska Dog Bite Laws Impose Strict Liability to Protect Victims

Under Nebraska Revised Statute §54-601, dog owners are legally accountable for damages caused by their dogs. Most likely, if you were attacked by a dog, the dog’s owner is responsible for your damages. The exceptions to this strict liability rule include situations where the injured person caused the attack or they were hurt while trespassing on the dog owner’s property.

To prove a strict liability dog bite case, you only need to show the defendant owned the dog that attacked you and that you were attacked on public property or you were legally on the owner’s property. Also, if the bite was accidental, for example you were injured while playing with the dog, the law does not apply.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Seek Medical Care

After a dog attack, your first priority is obtaining necessary medical care. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to call for emergency care or go to the hospital. If your bite wounds are not an emergency, you should still see a doctor to clean and dress your injuries.

You may require stitches or staples or more serious care including surgery or infection care. Although rabies is not common among pets, you should know whether the dog’s vaccinations are current in case you need to treat for a rabies infection. Depending on where you were bitten, you may require cosmetic surgery to treat significant obvious damages.

Gather Evidence

If the dog attack seriously injured you, you may want to seek compensation from the dog’s owner. A significant injury may result in short-term or permanent impairment, physical and emotional distress, high medical bills, and economic losses.

If possible, gather information from the dog’s owner and any witnesses who saw the attack. Find out the name of the owner’s insurance company, but before you start communicating with the insurer, it’s best to seek legal counsel. Insurance companies often try to pressure injury victims into a fast settlement which is usually much less than what they need to fully compensate them for their losses.

Contact a Dog Bite Attorney at Berry Law

We understand that surgery, skin grafts, reconstructive operations, rabies injections, staples, sutures, and other major treatments may be necessary in dangerous animal bite cases. You may miss work and lose other forms of income during your recovery. All of these losses can add up and before you know it, this dog bite incident can change your life forever. 

If a dog attacked you, your child, or a loved one, consider filing a claim for monetary compensation. A skilled dog bite lawyer near you may help you receive payment of your losses under Nebraska’s dog bite statutes.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Claims?

When a dog bites someone in Nebraska, the victim or a family member may make a claim or file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. However, they only have a certain period of time before their ability to initiate a lawsuit is barred by the statute of limitations.

Nebraska has set a four-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit for compensation after a dog bite, but only a two year window of opportunity for filing a wrongful death lawsuit for the loss of a family member. A dog bite injury lawyer can help you calculate how much time you have to make a claim, ensuring you don’t miss your chance to take legal action.

What Compensation Can I Request for a Dog Bite in Nebraska?

Victims of animal attacks in Nebraska are entitled to full compensation for any injuries sustained. If you or your child was attacked by a dog and suffered serious injuries, you can request various types of compensation.

Your losses are not limited to immediate medical expenditures. You can also request payment for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Permanent scarring
• Temporary and permanent disability
• Loss of wages
• Mental anguish
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Medical expenses 
• Cosmetic or plastic surgery 
• Psychological counseling or therapy

While the dog’s owner is responsible to pay for your medical bills and other losses, most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover such costs. Seek legal counsel from dog attack lawyers in Nebraska to know your rights and the best course of action under your unique circumstances.

How Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

A dedicated dog bite attorney in Nebraska can protect your legal rights and advocate for the compensation you deserve. When you partner with a skilled personal injury attorney at Berry Law, we will help you with every step of the legal process.

Some of the ways our injury attorneys can help during this difficult time include:

• Investigating your dog bite case thoroughly
• Gathering images and evidence to record vital facts
• Protecting you from unethical insurance companies that try to undervalue your case
• Examining your medical records for accuracy
• Assisting you in determining the steps required to recoup maximum reimbursement for your losses
• Sending personal status reports regularly
• Preparing a thorough “Demand Package” when the time comes to resolve your case, if feasible
• Filing a lawsuit to pursue your claim if the insurance company refuses to give you a reasonable settlement

Contact a Nebraska Dog Bite Lawyer at Berry Law Today

If you try to settle your insurance claim independently, the insurance company will undoubtedly try to persuade you to settle for a less money than you deserve. The best way to ensure that you receive full compensation for the dog bite injuries and losses you suffered is to work with an experienced and tenacious Nebraska personal injury lawyer at Berry Law.

In addition to knowing how to negotiate settlements, our attorneys also play a key role in representing clients in court if a favorable settlement is not possible. Furthermore, statistics show that having an attorney advocating for you often results in receiving greater compensation compared to going it alone. If you were injured, you deserve legal representation from a Nebraska dog bite attorney and at Berry Law, we’ll make sure someone is fighting for you.

Legal representation can significantly boost the value of injury settlements and safeguard your rights. Don’t settle for less than what your dog bite claim is worth from the insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Nebraska personal injury lawyer who knows how to successfully resolve dog bite lawsuits.