Dog bites are quite common and are a serious problem in the United States. Each year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, and about 1,000 of those bites are fatal. They can cause serious injuries, including puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and even death.

Most states have laws that make the owner of a dog liable for injuries caused by the dog. These laws are called "dog bite laws." Let's take a closer look at these laws to determine who is liable for cases like this and what you can do about it.

Who is Liable for a Dog Bite Injury?

Dog bite laws vary from state to state, but they all have one thing in common: they hold dog owners responsible for the injuries their dog's cause.

In Both Connecticut and Massachusetts dog owners are strictly liable for damages caused by their dogs.  That means that the dog owner is automatically responsible for the damages caused by the dog even if the owner did not do anything wrong.  There are some limited exceptions to this rule and dog owners may not be liable for injuries to anyone who was teasing or tormenting their dog, or to anyone who was criminally trespassing at the time they were injured. 

In Connecticut and Massachusetts, it doesn't matter if the dog has never bitten or attacked anyone in the past, the owner will still be responsible for the damages the very first time that the dog injures anyone.  However, in some other states, the owner of a dog is liable for injuries caused by the dog only if the owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous. This is called the "one bite rule." The one bite rule protects dog owners from being held liable for injuries caused by their dogs if they did not know the dog was dangerous.  Again, the “one bite rule” does not apply in Connecticut and Massachusetts as both states have strict liability for damages done by dogs.

Personal Injury Liability in Dog Bite Cases

In the eyes of the law, pets are considered personal property. As such, an owner may be held liable for damages caused by their animal under certain circumstances. The most common scenario in which an owner may be held liable is if their animal attacks and injures another person. In these cases, the owner may be held liable for the victim's medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

There are a few different theories of liability that may be used in dog bite cases.

Strict Liability - This theory holds the owner liable for any damages caused by their animal, regardless of whether the owner was aware of the animal's dangerous propensities.

Negligence - Under this theory, the owner may only be held liable if they were aware of the animal's dangerous propensities and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack from occurring.

Intentional Tort - This theory holds the owner liable if they intentionally caused the animal to attack the victim. This is the most difficult theory to prove, as it requires the victim to show that the owner knew their pet was dangerous and intentionally caused the attack to occur.

Vicarious Liability - This theory holds the owner liable for the actions of their animal if the animal was acting under the owner's direction or control. This is often seen in cases where the animal was trained to attack or was used in the commission of a crime.

No matter which theory of liability is used, the victim will need to prove that the owner knew or should have known of the animal's dangerous propensities in order to hold the owner liable. This can be done by showing that the animal has a history of aggression or has bitten someone in the past. The victim can also show that the owner was aware of the animal's dangerous propensities but did nothing to prevent the attack from occurring.

Conclusion

Dog bite laws vary from state to state, but they all generally follow the same premise: the owner of the dog will be held responsible for any injuries or damage caused by the dog. If you have been the victim of a dog bite, it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a dog bite, it's best to work with a Connecticut personal injury lawyer with the right expertise. Walker Injury Law is a personal injury law firm in Enfield, CT aimed at representing injured individuals. We understand the financial burden many people face following a serious accident or injury. That's why we work with you to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.