Indianapolis Lawyers for Scarring or Disfigurement due to Animal Attacks and Dog Bites
Were you involved in an animal or dog attack and suffered serious injuries that caused scarring or disfigurement? You may have the right to hold the owner of the dog or animal responsible and seek compensation for your injuries.
Dog and animal attacks can be vicious and can cause severe injuries, such as scratches, lacerations, bruises, muscle sprains and strains, and broken bones. Some dog bite and animal attack injuries, specifically scratches and lacerations, can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement even after they’ve healed.
Living with scarring or disfigurement can have detrimental mental and emotional effects. The negligent actions of the owner of the dog or animal that attacked you are causing you to live with the memory of your attack and its literal scars for the rest of your life. You should be compensated for what you’ve gone through, as well as for the lifelong aftereffects.
The Indianapolis dog bite and animal attack lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider have years of experience representing clients who have been permanently scarred or disfigured. We can help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold the dog or animal owner accountable. For a free, confidential consultation, call us today at (317) 634-8565 or complete our online form so we can contact you as soon as possible.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent Me?
After you’ve been injured in an animal or dog attack, you want to focus your energy on recovering from your injuries and trying your best to adjust to the changes your injuries may cause in your life. You should be compensated for any losses you’ve incurred as a result of your injuries if the dog or animal’s owner and their negligence were responsible for the attack. Because you’re consumed with healing from your injuries, which is most important, you probably can’t focus on the complex and potentially time-consuming process of pursuing compensation. A lawyer can take on your case and can fight for you throughout the entire process of seeking compensation so you don’t have to worry about it.
Additionally, the laws about dog bites or animal attacks can be convoluted, and you will benefit from the knowledge of an experienced attorney who has represented dog and animal attack victims. Indiana is a strict liability state where dog bites are concerned. That means that even if the dog has never acted viciously before, or if the owner had no knowledge that the dog had acted viciously, they are still liable for the injuries and losses the victim suffered from the bite. There are also lays about wolf hybrids and “coydogs.”
At Hankey Marks & Crider, we understand Indiana’s personal injury law and the law regarding dog and animal attack lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will go to bat for you so you have the best chance of obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries and scarring or disfigurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you decide to hire an attorney to represent you, you’re trusting your attorney to advocate for your interests and help you reach the best outcome in your situation. It can feel overwhelming, and you may have many questions about what hiring an attorney and the process of pursuing compensation entails. The attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider are always available to our clients to answer any questions they may have about their cases. Here are the answers to some of the questions we often hear from our new clients.
How much money can I receive for my injuries?
We can’t give you an exact or even a ballpark figure for the compensation you might receive for your injuries, scarring, and disfigurement. This is because every case has to be considered on its own merits. The losses that you’ve suffered and the financial costs you’ve incurred are specific to your case. As your attorneys, we can determine an objective estimate of the financial costs you’ve incurred. We can calculate the following financial costs of your injuries for which you could be compensated:
- Medical treatment costs for your injuries
- Lost wages or income resulting from your injuries and recovery
- Reduced future earning capability
- Repairing or replacing damaged property
You can also be compensated for the extreme emotional and mental suffering that your scarring or disfigurement has caused you. These are subjective losses that don’t come with a dollar value attached. With our years of experience, we can assess your losses and arrive at an appropriate value for the intangible costs of your injuries. These losses include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Additionally, we can’t predict the outcome of a lawsuit. The court, via a judge or jury, could award you more or less than you believe your lawsuit is worth. Your attorney may even be able to help you settle your lawsuit with the at-fault party before a final court decision is made. Ultimately, your attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider will work tirelessly to help you pursue full compensation for all of the losses you’ve suffered and may continue to incur because of your injuries.
What is the process for obtaining compensation for my injuries?
When you hire a Hankey Marks & Crider dog and animal attack lawyer, we’ll investigate what happened and help you determine who is liable for your injuries. The liable party, also called the at-fault party, in dog and animal attacks is often the owner of the dog or animal.
Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. If that happens, we will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement amount that covers all your present and future losses from the accident. If we can’t come to an agreement, there’s another path.
Your attorney will file a lawsuit against the liable party. Personal injury lawsuits have to be filed within two years of the date of the attack. The lawsuit will consist of court hearings leading up to the trial. You and the liable party could possibly settle your lawsuit before a trial. If not, a judge or jury will decide whether the liable party is required to compensate you for your scarring or disfigurement and the amount you must be paid.
Contact Hankey Marks & Crider Right Away
If you were seriously injured in a dog or animal attack and now have to live with permanent scarring or disfigurement, you should be compensated for your suffering.
The dog and animal attack lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider in Indianapolis can help you pursue the compensation you may be owed from the person who was ultimately responsible for your injuries. Call us today at (317) 634-8565 for a free confidential consultation.