We love our pets. And we do our best to treat and train them well. But not every pet is perfect — or perfectly trained — and pet injuries happen. From the standard dog bite to our pets being injured themselves or causing us to slip and fall, injuries to pets and from pets are all too common and a common source of litigation.
Here’s what you need to know about dog attacks and other pet-related injuries:
1. Do ‘Beware of Dog’ Signs Legally Protect Dog Owners From Lawsuits?
Most people want to know if they can still sue someone if they posted a “Beware of Dog” sign, or if posting the sign will keep them from being sued if their dog bites someone. The answer isn’t so simple.
2. Housemates Could Be Liable for Dog Bites
Just because the dog technically belongs to a roommate or a housemate, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off the hook if it bites someone. If someone in your house owns a dog, it’s in your own best interest to make sure the dog doesn’t cause an injury.
3. Pet Sitting Unleashes Potential Liability
Just as housemates can be legally liable for dog bites, those responsible for a pet’s care can be liable if the pet attacks someone on their watch.
4. What If my Child Is Bitten by a Dog? Can I Sue?
More than half of all dog bite victims are children, and you don’t have to be the victim to file a lawsuit.
5. Pets Cause Over 80,000 Fall Injuries Each Year
If you thought biting was the only thing to worry about with your pet, think again. Tripping over your dog or been pulled down on a walk can be just as dangerous.
6. Can You Sue Over Police Dog Bite Injuries?
In some cases, cops have legal immunity for causing injuries. Does that immunity extend to their K-9 units?
7. Pet Regulation: Are There Dangerous Cat Laws?
Anyone who’s owned one can tell you: cats have a mean streak. Some breeds of dogs have been banned or regulated — is the same true for cats?
8. Wild Animal Bites: 3 Things to Know
Whether it’s a wild animal someone owns in town, or an animal you encounter in the wild, the legal consequences from an attack could be different than from a family pet.
9. How Much Is My Pet’s Injury Worth?
As we said, injuries happen to pets as well. So can you sue if your pet gets hurt? And how much can you recover?
Most times, your best source for pet liability information is an experienced personal injury attorney. Consult one today if you’ve been injured by an animal.
Related Resources:
- Have an injury claim? Get your claim reviewed for free. (Consumer Injury)
- Pet Liability Primer: Car Accidents, Contracts, and More (FindLaw’s Injured
- Dog Bite Injuries: Do You Have a Case? (FindLaw’s Injured)
- Dog Bite / Animal Attacks (FindLaw’s Injured)
