Hoosiers love their dogs like much of America. Dogs make great pets, and many do wonderful things to meet the needs of their owners. However, they are still animals with instincts. Dog owners and handlers sometimes forget this, which comes at an extreme cost to innocent bystanders. The compassionate Indiana dog bite attorneys at Blackburn Romey know how frightening and harmful a dog bite can be. The physical and emotional scars can last a lifetime. They aren’t afraid to stand up for your rights in pursuit of the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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Being bitten by a dog, especially one from a dangerous dog breed, is one of the most physically and emotionally traumatic experiences someone can have. As such, victims are entitled to seek damages under Indiana civil laws. Damages are factors in a case that deserves monetary recovery. These factors can be economic and non-economic.
Economic damages can include:
Depending on the severity of the bite, the victim may have extremely high medical bills. They (or if the victim was a child, their parents) might not be able to go to work for some time. Compensation for legal fees and damages done to the victim’s clothes, jewelry, or other property is also necessary since the ordeal is not the victim’s fault, to begin with. Dog bite victims can determine what they should receive in economic damages by simply adding all of these types of expenses together.
Calculating or predicting non-economic damages is often more challenging. Non-economic damages aren’t based on factors that already have a predetermined value. Instead, non-economic damages include:
If a dog bite or other personal injury case goes to court, typically, the trier of fact (judge or the jury) will determine a multiplier. The multiplier will be used with the actual value of their economic damages to determine how much they should receive for their non-economic damages. The more severe the dog bite and damages, the higher the multiplier. For instance, a multiplier of four might be used for someone who had to undergo plastic surgery and will have scarring for the rest of their life. Whereas if they required some stitches and received a few counseling sessions, a multiplier of 1.5 might be used. It’s best to review your case with seasoned Indiana dog bite lawyers to understand better what your case might be worth.
Dog bite cases can be more complicated than some other personal injury claims. For example, the laws vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the dog bite, the victim’s role, and what they were doing at the time.
A dog owner can be liable for any injuries arising from a bite from their dog as long as:
However, suppose the second point doesn’t apply. In that case, Indiana dog bite lawyers can still help victims recover damages under Indiana’s “one bite rule,” or negligence. It’s essential to note that if a bite victim was teasing the dog or was trespassing at the time of the bite, the dog’s owner wouldn’t likely be held liable for the arising damages.
Under this law, the dog’s owner, or sometimes their handler, can be liable for damages arising from a bite if they knew or should have reasonably known that the dog was likely to be aggressive or bite. Using this rule, your attorney will work to prove that the owner knew this about their dog by showing:
If a dog recently bit you or your child, you likely have a long road of healing and recovery ahead of you. However, it goes beyond just physical or emotional healing and recovery. You deserve compensation for your damages. Our seasoned Indiana dog bite attorneys will work to build a successful case that maximizes client compensation. Get your dog bite claim started today by calling our office to schedule a free case consultation with experienced dog bite lawyers.
In a consultation with Blackburn Romey’s dog bite attorneys, you’ll get an initial evaluation of your case. The lawyer will ask about the details of the dog bite incident, your injuries, and any medical treatments you’ve had. They’ll also review Indiana’s dog bite laws, discuss potential legal options, and go over their fee structure, which typically operates on a contingency basis.
When choosing a lawyer, it’s essential to find someone with expertise in personal injury law, particularly in handling dog bite cases. Blackburn Romey has a strong record in these cases.
Indiana has a “one-bite” rule, meaning dog owners are typically not responsible for a first-time bite unless they were negligent or aware of the dog’s aggressive nature. However, owners can be liable if the bite occurs while the victim is lawfully present, and the dog attacked without provocation (Indiana Code § 15-20-1-3). Blackburn Romey’s attorneys can help clarify how this law impacts your specific case.
Compensation can vary widely based on the severity of the injury. Typical settlements include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many settlements in Indiana range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the case details and the long-term effects on the victim’s life. Blackburn Romey’s attorneys will work to pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
