Dog bites can cause devastating, long-lasting injuries and complications. Children are some of the most common victims of dog bites and can suffer permanent disfigurement and scarring. If you or your child has been the victim of a dog bite in Hot Springs, Arkansas, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps you should take next.

After you receive medical attention, speaking to a personal attorney is an essential next step. You may be entitled to compensation for your current and future medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured from your dog bite injury. The personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, LLP have a proven track record of fighting for victims of dog bite incidents and other personal injury accidents. During a free case evaluation, we will help you understand your legal options and whether you have a right to pursue compensation.

Dog Bites Can Cause Devastating Injuries

A vicious dog only takes seconds to cause painful, life-altering injuries. The physical injuries caused by dog attacks can include the following:

In addition to physical injuries, dog attacks can cause severe psychological trauma to children and adults. Victims of dog attacks may develop a fear of dogs, making it difficult for them to be around dogs for the rest of their lives. They may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression because of the attack. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can help victims recover compensation for their physical injuries and for the mental health injuries they’ve suffered.

The “One Bite Rule” in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Arkansas’s dog bite laws are complicated because Arkansas doesn’t have a statewide law specifically addressing dog bites. As a result, the rules related to dog bites will vary depending on the local ordinances of the attack’s location. 

Generally, Arkansas courts will use the “one bite rule.” Under this rule, dog owners can’t be held responsible for a dog bite when the dog hasn’t bitten anyone before or shown previous signs of aggression. Legally, dog owners don’t have a reason to believe their dog is dangerous if they’ve never shown aggression or bitten another person or dog.

After a dog has shown aggression or bitten someone, dog owners are expected to use more caution to prevent the dog from attacking someone else again. If the dog bites someone again, courts will assume that they knew their dog was dangerous and didn’t take necessary precautions to prevent injuries. 

If you’ve been injured in a dog bite, the owner may try to claim that the dog has never been aggressive before to avoid liability. Working with an attorney can help you investigate the dog’s past behavior and discover any available evidence that they had shown aggression previously.

Proving Negligence Per Se After a Dog Bite 

Even if there isn’t evidence proving that a dog had previously been dangerous, victims of dog bites may be able to recover compensation under the legal theory of negligence per se. Most areas in Arkansas have some type of leash law that requires dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash when they are in public. 

If a pet owner lets their dog roam free, doesn’t secure their fence, or takes the dog off of its leash in a public space and the dog bites someone, they may be liable because they failed to obey a safety law intended to protect the public from dog bite injuries.

Recovering Compensation After a Dog Attack

After a dog attack, the dog’s owner could face a misdemeanor criminal charge for their negligence. You could receive nominal restitution through the criminal case that may cover your initial medical bills. However, you will not be compensated for your pain and suffering, which can be significant for dog bite survivors. Speaking to an attorney can help you develop a strategy to recover the most compensation possible. 

You may be able to pursue a claim through the dog owner’s homeowner insurance policy or another applicable insurance policy. In other cases, the property owner, who may not be the dog owner, could be liable for the dog bite. An attorney can help determine who is liable and pursue the most compensation possible. Victims of dog bites can pursue the following types of damages:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs, including physical and occupational therapy
  • Compensation for psychological services
  • Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
  • Disability and disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering

If your loved one died from injuries caused by a dog attack, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Although nothing can bring your loved one back, recovering compensation for your loved one’s funeral expenses, medical expenses before his or her death, and loss of financial contributions to your family can help you move forward and hold the negligent dog owner accountable.

Discuss Your Dog Bite Injury Case with Our Skilled Attorney in Hot Springs, Arkansas

The dog bite injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, LLP are here to help you and will handle every aspect of your case from start to finish. We understand how devastating it can be to experience a dog bite attack, and our attorneys are prepared to pursue the most compensation possible in your case. 

We represent dog bite victims in Hot Springs and throughout Arkansas. Don’t hesitate to contact Rochelle McCullough, LLP, to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation with a skilled attorney. 

We extend our personal injury legal services to help clients throughout Texas, including Dallas, & Fort Worth, as well as in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Committed to advocating for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.