Were you attacked and bitten by a stranger’s or neighbor’s dog? Contact Upton & Hatfield, LLP today to speak with our New Hampshire dog bite lawyers! With over 100 years of legal experience, we can help you understand your options for seeking compensation and handle any opposing insurance companies.
Injured in a dog attack? Our New Hampshire dog attack lawyers are standing by to give you the help you need. Call Upton & Hatfield, LLP today at (603) 634-9560 or contact us online to discuss your case!
New Hampshire Dog Bite Laws
New Hampshire uses strict liability laws for dog bite cases. Under this system of rules, dog owners are responsible for any harm caused by their dogs unless they can argue otherwise. Unlike in one-bite law states, a dog’s owner can still be fully liable for the damages caused by a dog even when they had no reason to suspect their dog would ever hurt someone. In other words, if a dog does not have a history of aggression but bites or attacks someone all the same, then the dog owner can be held liable due to the strict liability rule.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident
An animal attack is a jarring experience that can leave you bewildered and afraid after it ends. You will probably not have many ideas as to what to do next. If you want to file a strong personal injury claim against the dog’s owner, though, then there are a few steps you should take as soon as possible.
After a dog bites you, do the following:
Get contact information from the dog’s owner
Take pictures of the dog and where you were attacked
See a doctor for a checkup on the same day
Contact Upton & Hatfield for Legal Assistance
If you can take all these steps, the dog bite claim we can create on your behalf will be stronger. It is worth repeating that you should please go see a doctor in an urgent care facility if you have not already. Your claim will be weakened without a medical record showing your injuries and when they occurred.
While it may seem silly to sue for a minor dog bite, that doesn't mean that it can't or shouldn't be done. Even minor dog attacks can have negative physical (and even emotional) effects on the victim. If you are uncertain whether you have grounds for a case or not, contact Upton & Hatfield today to discuss your incident in a free consultation.
Be sure to take photos of your injuries and write down the name of the owner so that you can identify them later on. Even if you have suffered minor injuries, you should still see a medical professional to ensure your injuries are treated properly.
Do Dog Bites Have to Be Reported in New Hampshire?
While there is no law on the books that requires individuals to report dog bites, it's always better to report the incident to the authorities as soon as possible.
This can help hold the dog owner accountable for providing necessary information for treating your injuries (i.e. information about the dog's vaccinations, etc.) Reporting the incident can also help ensure that the animal is prevented from hurting anyone else by removing it from the area and keeping it somewhere where it can be closely monitored for diseases such as rabies. To report your dog bite in New Hampshire, you should contact the nearest animal control center.
How Much Money Can You Get from a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Do not be surprised if the dog owner tries to tell you that they don’t have any money to spare to pay for your damages. They probably are not lying, but they are also not seeing the full picture of dog bite liability.
If a dog owner has homeowners’ insurance or renter’s insurance, then it is likely that the policy will provide damages for a dog bite that happens on their property or, sometimes, off their property.
The amount of money that you can get from a dog bite lawsuit will depend on the limits of the applicable insurance policy. Of course, the extent of your injuries and necessary medical care will also change the value of your claim.
Damages that might apply for your dog bite claim are:
Past medical treatments
Future medical care
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Many people who are bitten by an aggressive dog will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms for years. Seeing a dog of the same breed can trigger an anxiety attack, for example. If you are suffering from PTSD due to a violent dog attack, then we can also pursue additional damages related to psychological trauma and therapy.
How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Dog Bite?
New Hampshire uses a three-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims, which almost-always starts on the date of the dog attack. If you wait longer than three years to file a claim, then it will be thrown out by the court before it can advance.
However, there is often nothing to gain from waiting a long period of time before filing a claim. Even though you have three years, you should talk to our attorneys and work on a claim within a few days or weeks at most, which is when the details of the dog attack will be freshest in your memory.
How Do You Know if a Dog Bite is Serious?
Not all dog bites require serious medical attention. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Here are some warning signs to watch out for that indicate a trip to the emergency room may be in order:
The wound won't stop bleeding
The bite area is red or swollen
The victim develops a fever
The bite area feels warm to the touch
The wound appears to be a deep puncture wound
The area becomes stiff and difficult to move
The pain continues for more than 24 hours
There is drainage coming from the bite area
Contact Our New Hampshire Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Our dog bite attorneys in New Hampshire are standing by to help you after you or a family member are bitten, mauled, or attacked by an unruly canine. We know you are going through a lot already, so we want to do everything we can to simplify your dog bite claim or lawsuit. Start with a free case evaluation to learn more without paying for anything upfront.
