Even the most well-trained dog can cause serious injuries if not properly controlled. Both the State of Connecticut and the town of Glastonbury have enacted ordinances requiring residents to take certain actions to restrain their pets, but these laws are often ignored by people who believe their dog could never cause harm.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to the actions of a dog or other pet, a Glastonbury dog bite lawyer could work to hold the animal’s owner responsible for the consequences. By contacting a seasoned personal injury attorney about your case, you could learn your options for obtaining compensation to assist with medical bills and other effects of your injuries. En Español.
What Are the State Laws Regarding Responsibility for Dog Attacks?
Connecticut state law codifies a form of strict liability that applies to dog owners when their dogs cause harm. Connecticut General Statutes §22-357 provides that the owner or keeper of a dog bears civil liability when their dog “does any damage to either the body or property of any person.” This means the dog owner must take responsibility even there is no showing of negligence and they had no knowledge of dangerous tendencies on the animal’s part.
The statute does provide exceptions to this liability if the person suffering harm was trespassing at the time, or if they were “teasing, tormenting, or abusing” the dog. However, courts have held that petting a dog does not qualify as provoking the animal in this regard, so just because someone voluntarily made contact with a dog does not necessarily excuse the owner from liability under this statute.
What if the Owner is a Minor?
If the owner or keeper of a dog is a minor, the minor’s parent or guardian assumes liability for the amount of damage caused. In addition, if an attack involves more than one dog owned by separate owners, those owners may become jointly and severally liable at the court’s discretion. A knowledgeable attorney could help an injured party understand these dog bite laws.
Glastonbury Dog Bite Laws
In addition to the requirements and liabilities state laws impose, local regulations establish rules requiring dog owners to take responsibility for their animals. For instance, Glastonbury Code of Ordinances §14-39 requires dog owners to keep their pets on a leash when in a public park or preserve unless they are in a specially designated dog park.
In addition, Glastonbury Code of Ordinances §4-1 prohibits dog owners or keepers from allowing their dogs to roam on the property of others. Violations of these laws could be used by a local dog bite attorney to support a claim of negligence.
Types of Compensation That May Be Available After an Animal Attack
When the owner of a dog is found to be responsible for causing injuries to a person, injuries to a person’s companion animal(s), or damage to property, that owner may be required to pay compensation for a number of different effects of the incident. This compensation could cover several different consequences of a dog bite, including but not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of income
- Medical bills
- Future medical needs
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
Compensation for different types of effects may be available even if a case is settled before trial. Skilled dog bite lawyers in Glastonbury could provide further clarification about what specific types of damages may be available in an individual plaintiff’s dog bite case.
Work with an Experienced Glastonbury Dog Bite Attorney Today
In most cases where those suffering dog bites receive compensation, this compensation is paid by the owner’s insurance company. When a claim is contested, it is most often the insurance company fighting the case with the aid of their experienced corporate lawyers.
If you or a family member are suffering from dog bite injuries, you deserve to have experienced advocates fighting for your rights too. Call a Glastonbury dog bite lawyer today to learn what forms of financial recovery you may be entitled to pursue in your case.
