Canine owners are usually found to be liable if their animals attack people. However, the law gives you the right to take legal action against other parties if a dog injures you. For instance, you can sue a dog-walking company after an attack by a canine in their employee's care. This may be possible if your state's laws allow complainants to sue dog caretakers. A personal injury law attorney can evaluate your state's regulations to determine whether you can bring a claim against a dog-walking business. If legal action is possible, they will guide you through the legal process to ensure that you get justice, as you will learn in this discussion:
Holding the At-Fault-Parties Accountable
Many dog-walking companies have insurance to cover their businesses and employees against liability that may arise after a dog attack. When a company has this coverage, the insurance provider should take full responsibility for your injuries. However, their employee may also be held accountable under certain circumstances. For instance, they might be partly liable if they antagonized the animal into biting you. The dog owner may also be responsible if they have a signed agreement protecting the walker and their employer in case of an attack.
It is also important to note that some state laws protect dog-walking companies and their employees in certain situations. In those states, you may not sue these parties if the animal attacks you while on a walk. Thus, understanding your state laws and the nuances of suing a dog-walking company can be challenging. For this reason, it is advisable to work with a legal advisor when seeking justice after a dog attack. They will evaluate your case and guide you on the parties you can sue under your state laws. Your lawyer will also represent you to help you get the payments you deserve.
Pursuing Payments Through the Insurance Provider
The insurance company may put up a spirited fight to avoid compensating you for your losses. For example, they might transfer the responsibility to the animal owner. They may also blame you for provoking the canine and contributing to the attack. In such cases, you need strong evidence to establish that the walker was fully responsible for the attack. Your lawyer can use witness statements to prove that the walker antagonized the canine, which led to the attack. They might also use video evidence to show the events that led to the incident. This helps prove that the walker is guilty, compelling the walking company to compensate you.
You can hold the dog-walking business responsible after a dog attacks you while under their employee's care. However, pursuing your rightful payment might be complicated. For this reason, it is prudent to work with a personal injury lawyer so that they can guide and represent you to ensure that you get justice.
Consult a personal injury lawyer today to learn more.
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