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Fayetteville Dog Bite Lawyer

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Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC

Fayetteville Dog Bite Attorney

Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying and traumatic experience. Dog bites can lead to serious injuries, including disfigurement or permanent disability, as well as significant psychological damage. If you are the victim of a dog attack in the Fayetteville area, you need an experienced Fayetteville dog bite lawyer on your side.

About the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC

At the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, we are committed to serving our clients and our community. We represent people all over the state of Arkansas, keeping in mind that they are our neighbors as well as our clients. With two convenient offices in Pine Bluff and Little Rock, we offer an accessible practice that prioritizes your well-being. If you have been injured, we have the knowledge and experience to get you the compensation you deserve.

inpg Geoffrey D. Kearney
Fayetteville Dog Bite Lawyer
Call Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC today at 870-376-3068 for your Free Consultation!

What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Dog in Arkansas

If you are bitten by a dog in Arkansas, the first thing to do is get checked by a healthcare professional. Dog bites can result in serious injuries, with potential medical complications including blood loss, infection, nerve damage, and more. You should be especially careful regarding the possibility of rabies infection. It is always a good idea to get a rabies vaccine following any animal bite.

If the dog has an owner who is present, you should get that owner’s contact information. If the dog attack occurred at the owner’s home, whether they own the home or rent, you may be able to file a claim with their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company. If that is the case, the next step is to file that claim. You should also report the dog bite to the police or the local animal control office.

If you are unable to go through insurance because the dog attack did not occur at the owner’s home, the only legal recourse to pursue compensation is to file a personal injury claim against the owner themselves. With this claim, you are seeking damages to compensate you for the injury that happened due to the owner’s negligence.

What Compensation Can You Get for a Dog Bite in Arkansas

Dog bite cases are considered personal injury cases in Arkansas, and the compensation for them has a similar profile to any other personal injury. Victims can be compensated for both financial and non-financial losses. These include the following:

  • Medical bills. A personal injury settlement, including one for a dog bite, should compensate you for all medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury. Medical bills can add up very quickly. In Arkansas, the average emergency room visit costs over $1,400.
  • Lost wages. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be unable to work for some time. Your dog bite settlement should take care of these losses.
  • Pain and suffering. Not all damages are physical. Your pain is real, and it matters. Compensation for pain and suffering is standard in personal injury cases.
  • Psychological trauma. An event like a dog attack can leave someone with lasting psychological trauma, potentially even posttraumatic stress disorder. A dog bite settlement should cover the cost of mental health care for psychological damages.

Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer

If you are seeking damages for injuries sustained from a dog bite, it is very important to hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you. If you are pursuing compensation from the dog owner’s insurance company, your attorney can help you gather information and file an effective claim. If the insurance company offers an insufficient settlement, as they often do, your lawyer can push back and demand fair compensation.

If you need to file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner, your attorney can help you every step of the way, from the initial filing all the way through to trial if the case goes to court. The legal system is difficult to navigate alone, but if you have a lawyer on your side with solid experience and extensive knowledge of dog bite laws, you are far more likely to get the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

Is It Worth It to Sue for a Dog Bite?

Yes, it can absolutely be worth it to pursue a personal injury case for a dog bite. While some dog bites are not very severe, others result in extensive injuries. Victims may incur significant medical bills, financial losses from being unable to work, and psychological damage from the trauma of being attacked by an animal.

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Dog Bite Case?

As with most personal injury cases, pain and suffering in a dog bite case is usually calculated using the multiplier method or the per diem method. In the multiplier method, the total of the financial losses the victim suffers is multiplied by a number, which is chosen based on the overall impact of the injury. In the per diem method, pain and suffering is calculated using the victim’s usual daily earnings.

How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, most personal injury lawyers, like the ones who handle dog bite cases, do not charge up-front fees for their services. Instead, they get a portion of whatever settlement they help you win. So, the cost for your attorney depends on the size of your settlement. For most attorneys, that figure is around 33% of the settlement amount.

Do Most Dog Bite Cases Go to Court?

No, most dog bite cases do not go to court. Dog attack injuries are considered a type of personal injury and are treated as such by the legal system, and most personal injury cases settle out of court. Whether you are negotiating with an insurance company or an individual, if the case is legitimate, most liable parties would much rather settle out of court because of the cost associated with a trial.

Contact Geoffrey D. Kearney Today

If you are the victim of a dog attack, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, we are ready to help you take the necessary steps to make a full recovery physically, emotionally, and financially. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and we can fight for you to get it. Contact us today for a consultation.

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