A dog bite can happen at any time; it only takes one poorly latched gate, improperly attached leash, or some other small mistake to give a dangerous dog the time it needs to attack. Or, more troublingly, irresponsible animal owners know they have a dangerous animal and refuse to take the necessary steps to contain them. Unfortunately, in both these scenarios, a second is all it takes for a dangerous animal to change an innocent person’s life forever.
If you or someone you love, like a child, was harmed in a dog attack, you shouldn’t have to spend the rest of your life paying medical bills or dealing with emotional trauma. Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit helps many people recover the financial resources they need to recover.
For a free case review with one of our injury attorneys, simply fill out our online form or call us at 251-888-8888.
Mississippi Dog Bite Laws Are Unusual
Unlike other southern states, Mississippi has unusual dog bite laws. This can make it difficult for people hurt by dangerous dogs to understand their options and what to do next.
Here are a few things you should know if a dog in Mississippi attacked you:
- Mississippi follows the “one bite” rule: In Mississippi, we apply what’s known as the “one bite” rule, which means that owners are not responsible for their dog’s dangerous behavior if they’ve never been aggressive or attacked anyone before. So, if a dangerous dog attacks someone “out of the blue,” it might be considered the dog’s one “free” bite.
- There is not a state law about dangerous dogs: Mississippi’s laws do not include a statewide statute that deals with dangerous or aggressive dogs. Instead, we rely on broad legal rules and court decisions for dog bite claims. If you feel confused about your options or what to do next, this is normal; our laws are complicated.
- Jackson County and the City of Pascagoula have their own dog bite rules: Different rules apply to dog bites, depending on where a dog attacked you. If a dog bit you in an area with a dangerous animal ordinance, you’ll follow the procedures in that area.
- People injured by dogs deserve compensation: If a dangerous dog attacked you and you can prove they have a history of aggression, you may be eligible to collect financial compensation for your injuries. Generally, a successful dog bite claim will prove: the dog has a history of bad behavior, the owner should have known the dog’s risk, and could have taken steps to protect people from their animal.
If you have questions about your options, the specific dog bite rules in the area where you were attacked, or what to do next, consider contacting a dog bite lawyer who can help you make decisions as soon as possible.
5 Steps to Take After Being Bit by a Dog
The time after a dog attack can be scary, stressful, and painful, especially if a dangerous animal attacked your child. If you or someone you love is in this difficult situation, here are four steps you can take to protect yourself, your health, and your future.
Go to the Doctor or Call 911
It’s important that you get medical attention after a dog bite, not only for your health, but for your case as well. Going to the doctor will document your injuries and the events of the attack, giving your lawyer important information they need to fight for you.
Get the Owner’s Contact Information
You’ll need the owner’s contact information to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, to get more information about the dog and its history, and more.
Contact Animal Control
If a dog attacked you with a history of dangerous behavior, Animal Control will have those records and be able to make decisions about how to regulate their care. Animal Control will also help make sure the owner is taking the right steps to keep the dog from hurting anyone else. While these laws are different depending on where you live, Pascagoula and Jackson County’s laws are similar; don’t wait to contact our team for clarification and next steps.
Preserve the Evidence
Many people who’ve been attacked by a dog don’t realize that their bloodied clothes are actually evidence. You can protect this evidence by not washing or throwing your clothes away until your lawyer says it’s all right to do so. Additional ways to preserve evidence include writing down everything you can remember about the attack as soon as it happens, taking pictures of the wounds, and saving all your medical bills and records.
Call a Mississippi Dog Bite Lawyer
Navigating the time after an attack can be stressful and uncertain. If you need help filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, navigating Mississippi’s unusual dog bite laws, or just want to know what your options, are it’s time to think about contacting a Mississippi dog bite lawyer who can guide you through the process.
RELATED: Do You Have to Put Down a Dog After an Attack in Mississippi?
What Does a Dog Bite Suit or Settlement Cover?
If you were hurt because someone did not contain and control their dangerous dog, you shouldn’t have to pay for the cost of your medical care and recovery. Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit is how many injured people recover the attack’s financial and emotional cost. This includes:
- Medical bills
- The cost of medication, tests, and procedures
- Physical therapy or occupational therapy
- Transportation to and from the doctor
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Potential loss of future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional stress and trauma
- Damage to your relationships
- Loss of comfort
- Loss of consortium
What you’re able to claim depends on the nature of the attack and what happened to you. An attorney can help you understand your options and what to do next.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
When you need to focus on recovering, an experienced attorney who knows how to win for you will be your best resource. When you work with a skilled Pascagoula injury lawyer, they can fight for you by:
- Investigating the dog’s history of attacks and aggression
- Uncovering whether the owner did enough to keep people safe from attacks
- Preserving all the evidence in the case
- Helping you file the correct paperwork for your claim
- Negotiating on your behalf with the insurance company and other parties
- Giving you sound legal advice on what to do next
- Fighting to make sure you get the fair compensation you deserve
We offer everyone a free consultation with one of our attorneys so you can learn more about your options, what comes next, and how we can help. These consultations are always completely free, private, and there are no strings attached. In fact, when you choose to hire us as your attorneys, you don’t pay a dime in fees until we win for you.
Bit by a Dog in Pascagoula, Mississippi? Don’t Wait to Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys
Dog attack laws are different in each state, and in Mississippi, different depending on where the attack happened. If you or someone you love has been hurt by an aggressive dog, you need the help of a dog bite lawyer who understands animal bite laws in your area. Our team understands Mississippi dog bite law’s nuances and knows how to fight and win on our clients’ behalf.
Contact us today by completing our online form or by calling 228-888-8888 to schedule your free consultation.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
