While most domesticated dogs are friendly companions for people of all ages, it is common for dogs that have been mistreated, poorly trained, or accidentally let off-leash to be very dangerous to other people and animals around them. Connecticut state law offers strong legal protection for individuals harmed by dog attacks, allowing you to file a claim against the animal’s owner, and potentially against others who negligently failed to control it.
Even if you have grounds to sue over a dog bite injury, obtaining a favorable outcome can be difficult without the guidance of a skilled personal injury attorney, especially if you have little to no past experience with civil litigation. By working with a Bridgeport dog bite lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC, you will have a far better chance of securing the financial restitution you need than you would have trying to seek compensation on your own.
Connecticut is one of many states that hold dog owners strictly liable for dog bite injuries under most circumstances. As per Connecticut General Statutes §22-357, you can hold both owners and keepers of dogs, such as pet sitters, liable for losses without needing to prove that the person you are suing was irresponsible in any specific way. As long as they were responsible for the dog that bit you, you have grounds to sue over your injuries.
There are two scenarios in which strict liability may not apply: if you were trespassing or otherwise acting unlawfully at the time of the bite, and if you were teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog when it bit you. You typically cannot sue over injuries caused by police dogs acting on a lawful command from a law enforcement officer, although there are exceptions. A Bridgeport dog attack attorney can explain whether those exceptions may apply in your case.
If you can prove that the third party was negligent in managing a dog on their property, you may be able to sue them, even if they were not the dog’s owner or keeper. This involves proving that the third party knew the dog in question had dangerous tendencies based on previous attacks or instances of aggressive behavior, but then failed to take sufficient action to protect tenants or lawful visitors on their land.
This principle serves as the legal basis for holding third parties, like apartment landlords or business owners, accountable for failing to prevent another tenant or customer’s dog from causing injury. What qualifies as foreknowledge of a dog’s dangerous behavior can be a subjective matter, making it especially important to consult a skilled dog bite lawyer in Bridgeport when pursuing this type of claim.
Even bites from small dogs can result in significant injuries and infections, while the jaws of larger dogs often have the strength to cause life-changing or even life-threatening harm. Any dog, regardless of the breed or size, can cause significant injury if left to its own devices, which is why dog owners in Connecticut are almost always civilly liable for injuries their pets cause.
If you were hurt because someone else’s dog bit you, knocked you over, or attacked you, a Bridgeport dog bite lawyer can provide the custom-tailored guidance you need to pursue compensation. Call Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC today for a confidential consultation.
Berkowitz Hanna
1087 Broad St
Bridgeport CT
06604
