Homewood Dog Bite Attorneys

Dogs are a familiar part of everyday life in Homewood, Alabama and throughout Jefferson County. People encounter dogs while visiting friends and neighbors, walking through residential areas and dog parks, delivering packages, working on properties, or simply spending time outdoors. Most encounters with dogs are harmless and in fact, enjoyable. But when a dog suddenly attacks or bites someone, the injuries can be serious, and the consequences can last long after the incident.

If you find yourself injured by a dog attack or bite, then you should call the Homewood dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C.. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing dog bite victims or individuals injured due to a dog’s conduct. We can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. Call Hollis Wright TODAY at 844-529-8255 or 205-324-3600. You can also contact or message our attorneys.

A dog bite can cause much more than a temporary wound. Depending on the circumstances, victims may suffer puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, torn muscles or tendons, fractures, permanent scarring, facial injuries, and disfigurement. Children can be especially vulnerable to serious injuries because of their size and the location of many dog bites. A frightening attack can also leave victims with anxiety, emotional distress, or a lasting fear of dogs.

Even when an injury initially seems minor, it is important to take a dog bite seriously. Medical treatment may be necessary, and documentation of the injury can become important if a legal claim is pursued. Previous victims have made a critical mistake by thinking the dog bite was minor and therefore not seeking medical treatment. Subsequently, the minor wound gets infected, and the injuries, damages and scarring are much worse than they would have been if early treatment had been received.

Alabama law provides specific circumstances in which a dog owner can be held responsible for injuries caused by a dog. It is important to note, however, that although the claim is against the owner of the dog, in reality homeowner’s insurance is involved and ultimately pays the claim on behalf of the owner.

Under Alabama Code § 3-6-1, when a dog, without provocation, bites or injures a person who is in a place where that person has a legal right to be, the dog's owner may be liable for damages when the incident occurs on property owned or controlled by the owner, or when the person was immediately on that property and was pursued from it by the dog and bitten.

Other Alabama laws may also apply depending on the circumstances of the attack. Questions about where the attack occurred, whether the victim was invited onto the property, whether the dog had previously exhibited dangerous behavior, and whether local animal-control requirements were violated can all be important when evaluating a claim.

A dog does not necessarily have to be considered "dangerous" or have a history of biting people for an injured person to have a potential claim. The circumstances surrounding the attack matter, including where the incident occurred, whether you were lawfully present, whether the dog was properly controlled, and what the owner knew about the animal. Moreover, our firm has successfully represented individuals who were injured by dogs due to “playfulness” or being rambunctious. Large “playful” dogs can cause serious injuries to children and the elderly as they are prone to being knocked down. This is why it is so important for owners of dogs to use a leash.

A dog attack can create significant financial hardship, injuries and personal losses. Depending on the facts of the case and the injuries involved, an injured person may be able to seek compensation for damages such as:

• Medical treatment and related expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Permanent impairment or disability
• Other losses resulting from the injury

The value of a dog-bite claim depends on the specific facts, the severity of the injuries, the available evidence, the amount of homeowner’s insurance and other legal considerations. An attorney can evaluate those circumstances and explain what options may be available. CALL TODAY for a FREE consultation with the Homewood dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, PC. Call us toll-free at 844.LAW.TALK (844.529.8255) or at 205-324-3600.

If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, your health and safety should come first. After obtaining appropriate medical attention, consider taking steps to preserve information and evidence about the incident.

If possible, document your injuries with photographs and keep records of medical treatment and expenses. Obtain the name and contact information of the dog's owner and any witnesses. If animal control or law enforcement responded to the incident, keep information concerning those reports.

Do not assume that the applicable homeowners insurance company for the dog owner will automatically protect your interests. The insurance company may be focused on limiting the amount it pays on a claim. Before giving a detailed statement or accepting a settlement, consider speaking with an experienced dog bite attorney.

Important evidence can become harder to locate as time passes. In these cases, it is necessary to determine who owned or controlled the dog, identify witnesses, obtain relevant records, investigate the dog's history, document the victim's injuries, and determine what insurance coverage may be available.

At Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C., our attorneys are seasoned, and knowledgeable about Alabama dog bite laws and can help you obtain MAXIMUM compensation for your injuries and damages. Our firm has handled dog-bite and dog-attack cases involving serious injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma. We understand that a dog attack can be frightening and overwhelming. Our goal is to handle the legal and insurance side of your claim while you focus on your recovery.

When you are injured by a dog bite or attack, you need more than someone who will simply send a demand letter to an insurance company. You need attorneys who understand how to investigate an injury claim, establish liability, document damages, establish the value of your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and, when necessary, take a case to court.

Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. is a Birmingham-based personal injury firm with extensive experience representing injured dog bite victims throughout Alabama. The firm's attorneys have handled dog bite cases in courts across Alabama and have secured some of the largest settlements and verdicts on record.

If you or a family member has been injured by a dog bite or dog attack in Homewood or the surrounding Jefferson County area, contact Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. for a free and confidential consultation. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis which means we don’t get paid unless we recover money for you. You should not have to navigate the aftermath of a dog attack alone. Let our attorneys review the circumstances of your incident, explain your legal options, and help you determine the best way to move forward. Call Hollis Wright today at 844-529-8255 or 205-324-3600. Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Collect.