If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Kokomo, Indiana, it is important to know your legal rights. Each state has its own personal injury laws, so understanding the specific rules that apply to your situation can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Dog Bite Laws
In the United States, most states either uphold the one-bite rule or strict liability when trying to figure out fault in a dog bite case.
- Strict Liability: Under this standard, the dog owner is responsible for their dog biting another individual, whether or not the dog’s owner knew the dog had a vicious propensity or was aggressive in the past.
- One-Bite Rule: Under this rule, a dog owner is liable for any harm caused by their dog and may need to pay the victim compensation only if they knew or should have known that the dog was likely to cause that kind of harm.
The One-Bite Rule in Indiana
In Indiana, most dog bite cases follow the one-bite rule. This rule states that dog owners will not be held responsible if their dog bites someone as long as the dog has no history of aggressive behavior.
However, even if the dog owner had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive nature, the owner may still be held liable for any resulting injury caused by the dog. This is because negligence is always a factor when it comes to liability, regardless if the dog is presumed to be harmless under Indiana’s laws.
As a result, if it can be proven that the owner of a dog was reckless or negligent by failing to prevent their dog from biting or attacking another person, they can still be held accountable for the injuries and losses that occurred due to the attack.
Government Workers
In Indiana, the one-bite rule applies to most dog-bite cases. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If a dog bites a government worker, the dog owner will be held strictly liable for the attack if the victim meets the following requirements:
- The victim was acting peacefully and
- The victim was required by federal or state law to perform the actions they were doing at the time of the dog bite.
For instance, if a dog bites a United States postal worker in Kokomo, the dog’s owner will be strictly liable for any resulting injuries.
The Financial Remedies You Can Pursue After a Dog Bite Incident in Kokomo
If you suffered injuries due to a dog bite in Kokomo, you may be entitled to certain types of financial damages, including the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Personal property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Additionally, if an individual was killed due to the dog bite, their family may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. However, to better understand your legal options after this devastating incident, consider speaking with a Kokomo dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Kaushal Law Today To Find Out What Your Legal Options Are Following a Kokomo Dog Bite Incident
If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Kokomo and sustained serious injuries, it’s time to find out the legal remedies you can pursue. Contact Kaushal Law today or call us at 765.434.3787 to go over your case for free.
