Fishers Dog Bite Lawyer

Do I Have a Claim for Compensation?

After a dog bite, it’s natural to wonder if you have a valid legal claim. While every case is unique, there are several key factors that generally determine whether you may be able to pursue compensation. This is not legal advice, but rather a guide to help you think about the elements of your situation.

Consider the following questions:

• Were you lawfully on the property? Your legal standing at the time of the bite is crucial. If you were invited onto someone’s property as a guest or were on public property like a sidewalk or a park near Geist Reservoir, you were lawfully present. However, the situation can be more complex for trespassers.
• Did you provoke the animal? In Indiana, a dog owner may argue that you provoked the dog, meaning you were teasing, tormenting, or abusing it, which caused it to attack. If the dog was unprovoked, your claim is generally stronger.
• Did you suffer an actual injury? To have a personal injury claim, you must have suffered damages. This includes physical injuries like puncture wounds, broken bones, or scarring, as well as the financial costs associated with them, such as medical bills and lost wages.
• Can the dog’s owner be identified? In order to file a claim, you must be able to identify the dog and its owner. If it was a stray dog, pursuing compensation becomes extremely difficult.

If you answered “yes” to suffering an unprovoked injury while lawfully present and can identify the owner, you may have a strong basis for a claim. A Fishers dog bite lawyer can review the details of your incident and provide a clear assessment of your legal options.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Dog Owner or Their Insurance Company?

Shortly after a dog bite incident, you might be contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company. This is usually the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider. The insurance adjuster may seem friendly and concerned, and they might make a quick offer to settle your claim. While it can be tempting to accept the money and put the event behind you, accepting the first offer is rarely in your best interest.

Insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to protect their bottom line by paying out as little as possible on claims. The first offer is often a calculated attempt to resolve your case quickly and for a fraction of its true value.

Here are a few reasons to be cautious of an early settlement offer:

• The Full Extent of Your Injuries May Be Unknown: Some injuries are not immediately apparent. A deep puncture wound could become infected, or you might require future surgery to repair nerve damage or reduce scarring. Emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can also develop over time. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more money if your medical situation worsens.
• The Offer May Not Cover All Your Losses: A quick offer might cover your initial emergency room bill, but it likely fails to account for other significant costs. These can include physical therapy, prescription medications, lost wages from time off work, and future medical procedures.
• They May Try to Get You to Admit Fault: During conversations, an adjuster may ask questions designed to get you to say something that implies you were partly to blame for the attack. They could use this statement against you later to reduce or deny your claim.

Before you sign any documents or accept any payment from an insurance company, it is wise to discuss your case with a Fishers dog bite attorney. A lawyer can help you calculate the full and fair value of your claim and can take over all communications with the insurer, protecting your rights throughout the process.

What Compensation Is Available to Fishers Dog Bite Victims

A serious dog bite can impact every area of your life, from your health and finances to your emotional well-being. The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation, legally known as “damages,” to help make you whole again. This means accounting for all the ways the injury has affected you.

In Indiana, victims of dog attacks can typically seek compensation for two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages are the tangible financial losses you have incurred because of the injury. These are things that can be calculated with bills, receipts, and pay stubs.

Examples include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room treatment to follow-up doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
• Future Medical Costs: If your injury requires long-term care, such as future plastic surgery for scar revision or ongoing therapy, the estimated cost of this future care can be included.
• Lost Wages: This compensates you for the income you lost while you were unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If the injury results in a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous job or limits your ability to earn a living, you may be compensated for this loss of future income.

Non-Economic Damages are the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag but are just as real and devastating. These damages acknowledge the human cost of the injury.

They may include:

• Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the attack and your injuries.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Dog bites, especially to the face, arms, or legs, can leave permanent and visible scars. This damage accounts for the embarrassment and emotional pain associated with disfigurement.
• Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: Many dog bite survivors develop a deep fear of dogs (cynophobia), anxiety, depression, or PTSD. This compensation acknowledges the psychological impact of the traumatic event.

A knowledgeable Fishers dog bite lawyer can carefully document all of your losses to build a comprehensive claim that reflects the true cost of your injury.

Contact Our Experienced Fishers Dog Bite Attorney Today

A dog attack can be a frightening and isolating experience. Afterward, you are left trying to heal from your injuries while dealing with medical bills, insurance companies, and uncertainty about the future. At Wyant Law, we are here to provide the support and legal guidance you need to navigate this difficult time.

Attorney Chris Wyant is dedicated to helping injury victims in Fishers and throughout Indiana. He will handle the complexities of your legal claim so you can devote your energy to what matters most: your recovery.

When you work with Wyant Law, we will:

• Conduct a thorough investigation into the dog attack.
• Gather all evidence needed to build a powerful case for you.
• Handle all communications with the dog owner and their insurance company.
• Fight tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, contact Wyant Law at 317-683-0333 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Let us stand by your side on your road to recovery and help you get the outcome you deserve.