If you have incurred an injury as a result of an attack by a dog belonging to another individual, you may have recourse to obtain compensation for your injuries. Our Alabama dog bite lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. can help you understand your options, and if applicable, help you move forward with your claim.
Experiencing a dog bite can be quite dramatic. If you or one of your loved ones has suffered an attack and bite by another person’s dog, the owner of that dog may be liable for the expenses you incur as a result, including medical bills. Dog park liability laws in Alabama, along with other laws related to the liability of dog owners for any injuries their dog causes to another person, state the rights of the injured and the possible consequences faced by the dog owner.
Call us today at (205) 933-1500, or contact us online to request a free case evaluation.
Legal Grounds for Compensation
The law in Alabama outlines a number of different ways that the victim of a dog bite may obtain compensation. According to one Alabama Code § 3-6-1, a dog owner may be held liable if their dog bites or injures another person who has a legal right to be on the property, or has been chased from the property by the dog. For instance, if you are a customer visiting a business or are at a friend’s house to which you have been invited, you have a legal right to be on the property and the above statute regarding the liability of the dog owner may apply.
In the case of dog park liability laws, a dog owner whose dog has bitten another individual at a dog park may incur the same liability as mentioned above, because the parties involved have a right to be on the property where the incident occurred.
On the other hand, if a person who is not lawfully on the property of another party or does not possess implied consent, they may not necessarily be able to recover compensation for any injury resulting from a dog bite. In other words, someone trespassing on the property of another may not have a legal right to compensation after suffering a dog bite.
Individuals who may lawfully be present on the dog owner’s property include public utility workers, meter readers, and postal delivery workers. These individuals are legally performing their jobs when on private property, and thus may have a legal basis to claim compensation for such items as lost wages and medical bills after a dog bite.
Common Law Negligence
If the dog bite incident takes place at a location other than the premises of the owner, then common law negligence may apply instead of dog park liability laws. In order to receive damages, you may need to demonstrate that the dog owner had knowledge of the dog’s propensity to bite others, or that the dog had previously attacked others. In fact, the dog does not need to have previously bitten someone for common law negligence to apply – it simply must have previously demonstrated behavior showing that it has an inclination to be dangerous to humans.
In a case involving negligence of the dog owner, several factors will be evaluated to determine the owner’s liability. Some of these factors include whether the dog had previously bitten anyone, whether the owner knew or should have known the dog had a propensity to bite, the dog’s breed, and whether the attack was provoked by a human.
Contact Experienced Alabama Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been attacked and injured by a dog, our experienced Alabama dog bite attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. can help you understand dog bite laws and dog park liability laws in Alabama, as well as your possible right to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Contact us online, or call us at (205) 933-1500 to arrange a free consultation about your case.
