Indianapolis Lawyer for Soft Tissue Injuries from Dog Bites
While it is common to think of dog bites as something that generally affects a person’s skin, dog bites can also cause injuries to the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissue includes muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, cartilage, and tissues that surround the bones and joints. Because some of these soft tissues are vital, when they’re damaged, it can lead to serious disability or a substantial loss of blood.
If you’ve been injured by a dog bite or animal attack that wasn’t your fault, the Indianapolis dog bite/animal attack attorneys of Hankey Marks & Crider will work to recover financial compensation for the injuries and losses you sustained. Contact us for a free initial consultation. Call (317) 634-8565 today and find out how our experienced legal team can help you to recover compensation for the expenses or losses that your injury caused.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I Have Suffered Soft Tissue Injuries from a Dog Bite?
If you have suffered from soft tissue injuries due to a bite from another person’s pet, an experienced lawyer can be invaluable. An attorney can help you get compensation for your medical expenses, the income you have lost due to missed time at work, and the physical pain and emotional suffering you have experienced. The financial burden that people experience after these injuries can be overwhelming, and you should not have to be responsible for the expenses when the incident was not your fault.
If it wasn’t the dog of someone you know, we can investigate and get the details. Sometimes, the owner of the dog may claim that the bite occurred because of your provocation. We know how to navigate these types of situations.
Why Choose Hankey Marks & Crider for My Case?
Choosing an attorney to represent you in your dog bite injury claims is an important decision. It is necessary to have a lawyer who is skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced. In addition to being effective in pursuing your claim, you will also want someone who understands the kind of support you need at a time when you may still be going through the trauma of experiencing a harmful attack from an animal.
The attorneys of Hankey Marks & Crider have a combined 80 years of legal experience standing up for the rights and interests of those who have been injured through no fault of their own. We pride ourselves on the lasting relationships we build with our clients, and we work hard to support them with compassion.
Complications of Dog Bite Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can lead to several medical complications, including:
- Nerve damage
- Muscle damage
- Ruptured tendons
- Substantial blood loss
- Permanent scarring, which may lead to decreased range of motion
This is in addition to the complications that may result as the result of any dog bite, such as:
- Infections from bacteria in the dog’s saliva
- Rabies or tetanus
- Long-term psychological pain and suffering
What to Do After Experiencing Soft Tissue Injuries from a Dog Bite
S
uffering a dog bite, especially one that leads to injuries, can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. However, it is important to take certain steps that will protect your rights and strengthen your options for pursuing financial compensation. After a soft tissue injury, be sure to:
- Seek medical treatment as your top priority. Prompt treatment will help you to reduce the possibility of serious infections and long-term scarring. Additionally, if you do not seek medical care promptly, insurance companies may claim that you had no reason to take the injury seriously when it occurred, thereby giving them a reason to deny your claim for compensation.
- Contact the owner of the dog and let them know about the bite and the injury. Be sure to collect the owner’s contact information if you do not know them and note down the contact information of any witnesses of the bite as well.
- Take photographic documentation of the injury and the location where the attack happened.
- Maintain copies of all invoices and bills for any expenses that have come about due to the injury, as well as your income statements if you have missed work while recovering.
- Speak to a dog bite injury attorney at Hankey Marks & Crider as soon as you can, particularly before speaking to any insurance company representatives about your injury.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soft Tissue Injuries from Dog Bites
We’ve handled many dog bite cases over the years. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hear most often from our dog bite clients.
Is the “one bite” rule applicable in my case?
Maybe. According to Indiana law, the owner of a dog can be held responsible for any injuries their pet causes if the owner was negligent. The “one bite” rule states that if a dog has previously bitten somebody, the law will presume that the owner knows that the dog posed a risk of injuring another person. If a second injury does occur, it can be easier to prove negligence on the part of the owner.
What compensation am I entitled to for soft tissue injuries from a dog bite?
Soft tissue injuries from a dog bite may entitle you to financial compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy costs, lost income from missed time at work, physical or emotional trauma, or reduced quality of life due to disfigurement.
Who can be held liable for my soft tissue injuries?
In general, the owner of the dog can be held liable. However, it can be personally challenging to pursue such a claim if your bite came from a dog owned by someone you know because you may feel worried about damaging your relationship with that person. Just keep in mind that dog bite injury claims do not generally come out of the pocket of the dog’s owner but rather from their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Here at Hankey Marks & Crider, we can help you manage the claim to minimize any disruption in your relationship.
Contact Us Today
If you have suffered a soft tissue injury from a dog bite that wasn’t your fault, you should not be personally responsible for the losses that come about as a result. The dog bite lawyers at Hankey Marks & Crider can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (317) 634-8565 for a free consultation where you can discuss your legal options with a member of our team.