DOG BITE INJURIES
Approximately thirty-five percent of American households own dogs. As a result, dog bite injuries are a common occurrence. It has been estimated that over five million people are bitten by dogs each year, as many as 300,000 requiring medical treatment. Most of these are children. Roughly one-half of all dog bite fatalities are children under the age of ten. A dozen people die each year as a result of dog bites.
The Nebraska law regarding dog bites in Nebraska is well-settled. Dog bites are considered to be hazardous activities for which the doctrine of strict liability applies. For a victim to recover damages for a dog bite, the victim need not prove that the dog owner was negligent. A common misconception is the "one bite rule," that the dog owner has no liability for the first time the dog bites. This is not the law in Nebraska. In this state, the victim is simply required to prove that the dog bite occurred, that the dog bite was the cause of damage to the victim, and the nature and extent of that damage. If the victim proves these things, it does not matter how much at fault the owner of the dog was nor how careful the victim was.
Dog bites injuries can be extremely traumatic. They can result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, risk of infection, long-term disability, and even death. Often psychological harm accompanies such an injury, especially if the victim is a child.
One who is bitten by a dog should immediately seek medical attention and report the dog bite to the local animal care authorities.
An injured Nebraska victim of a dog bite has the right to legal compensation. Often the dog owner's homeowner's insurance applies as a source of recovery for these damages. If the victim is a child, the sums recovered as damages for the child are required to be placed in a trust fund for the child until he or she reaches the age of 19 years.
Although the statute of limitations in Nebraska requires that a dog bite lawsuit normally be brought within four years of the date of the injury, for a minor, the four years begins to run at the age of majority. This is extremely important in a dog bite injury as the extent of the damages may not be evident until the child matures.
In order to maximize recovery for dog bite claims, find a viable source of funds for recovery, and ensure that the injured party is fully protected, it is vital to obtain experienced legal counsel to assist in the claim.
