Indiana Dog Bite Injuries Lawyer Resources:
Contact Info
Lawfirm@tonyzirkle.com
Lake County, Indiana
Crown Point, IN 46307
219.308.1673
Marion County, Indiana
Pyramid #2, Suite 2042
3500 DePauw Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 658-0107
St. Joseph County, Indiana
110 North Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 386-7960
317.658.0107 Bloomington
317.658.0107 Carmel
219.308.1673 Chicago
574.386.7960 Elkhart
317.658.0107 Fort Wayne
219.308.1673 Gary
219.308.1673 Hammond
317.658.0107 Indianapolis
317.658.0107 Kokomo
219.714.7625 Merrillville
574.968.8557 Mishawaka
219.308.1673 Muster
574.386.7960 South Bend
219.308.1673 Valparaiso
317.658.0107 West Lafayette
Dog Bites Injuries
Dog attacks represent some of the most gruesome personal injuries that are suffered, particularly where a child is involved (as is often the case). During 1997 and 1998, at least 27 people died as the result of dog bite attacks (18 people in 1997 and 9 in 1998; See Dog Bite Data). Of 27 human dog bite related fatalities (DBRF), 19 (70%) were children (1 was 30 days old, 3 were between 7 and 11 months old, 9 were between 1 and 4 years old, and 6 were between 5 and 11 years old), and 8 were adults (ages 17, 44, 64, 70, 73, 75, 75, and 87). It is important to teach children to be safe around dogs to prevent these catastrophic events from occurring.
Indiana has a strict liability dog bite statute that states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages inflicted by his/her dog if it bites a U.S. postal carrier or other who is charged with a duty requiring him to go onto another's property. (I.C. § 15-5-2-1). The dog owner is liable regardless of whether the dog had ever been vicious before and regardless of whether the owner had reason to believe it would behave in a vicious manner. The dog does not get "one free bite". The only defenses to the strict liability statute arise where the injured party provoked the dog.
In addition, the old common law approach is also available for injured plaintiffs. Under the traditional approach, if the owner knows or has reason to know of the dog’s violent propensities, the owner of the dog is liable for damages caused by the dog.
If a stray bites you, you have little legal recourse because you must file your claim against a dog's owner or keeper. Your municipality is not responsible for the dog, even if you have called the animal warden several times to pick up the stray.
In all dog bite cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the incident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite, call Law Offices of Tony Zirkle now at Crown Point: (219) 308-1673, Fort Wayne Office: (260) 804-4928, Indianapolis Office: (317) 658-0107, South Bend: (574) 386-7960
or SUBMIT A SIMPLE CONTACT FORM TO THE RIGHT. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.
Let us help you,
contact us now!
We Serve all of Indiana including the following areas:
- Westfield
- Fishers
- Noblesville
- Indianapolis
- Hamilton Co.
- Marion Co.
- Tipton Co.
Indiana Dog Bite Injuries Lawyer News:
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A man faces federal child pornography charges following an investigation involving Greensburg police, Indiana State police and federal agents.