Dog Bite Lawyer in Appleton, WI

Should I Get A Lawyer for a Dog Bite?

Wisconsin's strict liability laws hold dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of negligence. An experienced dog bite lawyer can navigate these laws, secure fair compensation for medical expenses and damages, communicate with insurance companies, and gather crucial evidence. 

There are a few options you can choose to pursue after suffering a dog bite injury. The first thing you can do is file an insurance claim with the dog owner’s insurance company. Be very careful with insurance companies – they often offer unfair settlements. You may wish to hire a dog bite lawyer to guide you through the process to receive maximum insurance compensation. You can also file a lawsuit against the dog owner for any damages. To do this you will want to hire a dog bite attorney to file the suit and represent you legally. In 2019, the average compensation for dog bite cases in Wisconsin was $43,593. 

What Kind Of Lawyer Should I Hire For A Dog Bite?

You should hire a personal injury lawyer who specializes in dog bite cases. Specifically, look for:

• A dog bite injury attorney
• A personal injury lawyer with experience in animal attack cases
• A lawyer familiar with Wisconsin's dog bite laws

Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws & Statutes 

Wisconsin's strict liability dog bite statute Wisconsin Statute 174.021 holds dog owners fully responsible for damages caused by their dogs, regardless of negligence or prior incidents. 

• Liability: Owners are liable for injuries to people, pets, or property without needing to prove negligence.
• Statute of Limitations: There is a three-year limit for filing personal injury claims, including dog bites.
• No "One-Bite Rule": Owners are liable even for a dog's first bite.
• Double Damages Provision: If an owner knows their dog had previously injured someone, they may face double damages if the second bite causes significant injury.
• Landlords may have limited liability in some cases.
• Owners could face penalties for their dog's actions.

Factors that determine compensation

Several factors help determine the amount of financial compensation dog bite victims receive including:

• The severity of the injury. Factors considered include scarring and disfigurement
• Area of injury
• Medical Expenses- This can include psychological counseling for emotional trauma
• Wages lost to recovery time- If a dog bite victim cannot work because of their injuries they can receive compensation for wages lost
• The degree of pain suffered

The personal injury legal process in Appleton, WI

Once you have been injured by a dog attack in Wisconsin, schedule a free consultation with Tusler Law as soon as possible to assess your situation and discuss your options. If your case looks promising and you move forward, we will begin to gather additional evidence and build the best possible strategy for your case. 

Throughout the whole process, we will give you updates and stay in contact with you for additional information and details related to your case. Should the case go to court, Tusler will prepare you on how to conduct yourself in court and present your case for you. Award-winning attorney Ron W. Tusler has vast experience in personal injury law and knows how to get the results you want.

Top 10 Dogs Most Likely to Bite

Some dogs have a higher frequency of biting than others, but larger dogs biting causes more of a concern due to the severity of their bites and the damage they can cause. According to World Animal Foundation, the top 10 dogs most likely to bite are:

• Pit bulls: Pit bulls are responsible for the highest number of reported bites, accounting for approximately 22.5% of all dog bites across studies. From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls were involved in 346 fatal attacks in the United States, which is over 6.5 times more than the next breed.
• Rottweilers: Rottweilers were responsible for 45 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013. They are often considered the second most dangerous breed after pit bulls in terms of fatalities.
• German Shepherds: German Shepherds were involved in 20 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013. They account for about 17.8% of all dog bites across studies.
• Doberman Pinschers: Doberman Pinschers were responsible for 6 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013.
• Bull Mastiff: Mastiff-type dogs, which include Bull Mastiffs, were involved in 14 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013.
• Husky: Siberian Huskies were responsible for 13 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013. 
• Malamutes: Specific statistics for Malamutes were not provided in the search results, but they are often grouped with Huskies in bite statistics. 
• Wolf Hybrids: While specific statistics weren't provided, wolf hybrids are known for their unpredictable nature and potential for aggression.
• Boxers: Boxers were involved in 7 fatal attacks between 1982 and 2013. 
• Great Danes: Specific statistics for Great Danes were not provided in the search results, but their large size can make their bites particularly dangerous.

Dog Bite Injuries and Fatalities Statistics

We help dog bite victims suffering from all types of injuries, including:

• Brain injuries and concussions
• Cuts and lacerations
• Infections
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Crush injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Soft tissue damage
• Loss of limbs
• Catastrophic injuries

We understand that recovering from an injury can be challenging both emotionally and physically. If you're facing difficulties and wish to obtain more information, our lawyers are ready to meet you at the hospital or your home.

Contact us now to schedule a complimentary consultation and explore the options available in your case. We regularly help dog bite victims from De Pere, Grand Chute, Appleton, Kimberly, Oshkosh and the surrounding areas.