Bennington Dog Bite Attorney

Was Someone You Love Attacked by a Dog in Bennington, NE?

There are many dog owners in Bennington, NE. In fact, the area has several dog parks, including Omaha Dog Bar, Hanscom Dog Park, and Heffinger Dog Park.

In may seem like a rare event, but every year over 800,000 people seek medical treatment for dog bites. The physical and emotional toll of a dog attack can be devastating. When it comes to dog bites, Nebraska is a strict liability state. That means the dog’s owner is legally responsible for its actions.

If your loved one was harmed in a dog attack in Bennington, contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. today. We’ll file a claim against the owner’s insurance company to help you get the money you need to cover the cost of treatment.

Bottlinger Law L.L.C. has a perfect A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and Jason Bottlinger belongs to the exclusive Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Call a Bennington dog bite lawyer at (402) 505-8234 to learn more today.

What to Do After a Dog Attacks

It’s natural to feel pretty shaken up when you witness a dog attack. But try to remain as calm as possible so you can assist the victim. Here’s what you’ll want to do to after an attack to enhance the recovery process.

• Seek medical attention. Check to see if the victim is bleeding. If the bite broke the skin, wash out the wound a see a doctor right away. Stiches may be required, and your doctor will want to dress the wound properly. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Exchange contact information with the dog’s owner if it’s not a stray. It’s also a good idea to collect phone numbers from any witnesses. This will make it easier for your dog bite lawyer to conduct an investigation.
• Take pictures of the dog, the scene of the attack, and the victims injuries using your cell phone camera to document the incident.
• Don’t use social media to talk about the incident. Even your private communications can be accessed by the other side’s attorney. Nothing you say on social media can help you, and it might even harm your claim.
• Writing down what happened in a journal will help you remember the events more clearly and it can be referred to at a later date.
• Contact a Bennington dog bite attorney right away.

How to Report a Dog Bite in Bennington, NE

In Bennington, NE, pet owners are legally obligated to maintain control of their pets and prevent them from causing harm. When a bite is reported, it prompts a review of the pet owner's practices, potentially leading to mandatory training or containment measures that can prevent future incidents.

To report a dog bite, contact the local animal control agency or the police department. Provide them with details about the incident, including the date, time, location, and a description of the dog. If possible, share contact information for the dog's owner and the names of any witnesses. The authorities may ask for photographs of the injuries.

Reporting a dog bite incident plays a pivotal role in promoting responsible pet ownership. If the dog is a stray or the owner is not present, document as much information as possible about the dog's appearance and behavior.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Bennington, NE

In most dog bite cases, the owner will be someone you know. But whether it happens at a friend’s house, or if a strange dog attacks a loved one while you’re out walking, you’ll want to find an experienced Bennington personal injury attorney to file a claim against the owner’s insurance company.

You may already have an attorney who handles your personal or business interests, but it’s essential to find an experienced dog bite attorney. Insurance companies do everything they can to save money. The insurance agent may even try to get you to make a statement that could hurt your claim, so it’s best to let your attorney do all the negotiating.

Your lawyer will review the medical records and consult with medical experts to determine the true cost of the victim’s injuries. A dog bite often requires extensive treatment, and the total cost of your injuries may include:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Ambulance transport
• Emergency room care
• Time missed from work
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation
• Rabies shots
• Plastic surgery

Dog Bite Injuries in Bennington, NE

Dog bites cause severe physical consequences that extend far beyond the initial injury. Nerve damage is a serious concern, potentially resulting in loss of sensation or motor function in the affected area. This type of injury can have a profound impact on a victim's quality of life and may require extensive medical treatment or physical therapy. Broken bones require extensive treatment and they may cause weakness, joint problems, and long-term pain.

Lacerations may cause severe bleeding and they can be fatal if the victim doesn’t receive medical treatment in time. Scarring and disfigurement are another potential outcome, particularly with bites to the face or other visible areas of the body. Scarring is almost inevitable with dog bite wounds, and while some scars may fade over time, others can be permanent reminders of the traumatic event. Jason Bottlinger understands the gravity of these long-term effects and considers them when seeking compensation for our clients to cover medical expenses, reconstructive surgery, and other necessary treatments.

Beyond the physical scars, dog bites can inflict deep emotional wounds. Victims often experience trauma that can manifest as fear of dogs, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional injuries disrupt daily life, often making it difficult for dog bite victims to return to their normal routine.

Children are particularly susceptible to the long-term emotional impact of a dog attack. Such a traumatic event can shape their perceptions and interactions with animals for years to come. Bottlinger Law L.L.C. advocates for the recognition of these non-physical damages by fighting to ensure that our clients receive compensation to cover the costs of therapy and other mental health services required for healing.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Dangerous Than Others?

The breed of a dog can play a significant role in the severity and type of injuries sustained during a bite incident. Certain breeds are stronger and they have powerful jaws that can cause more serious harm. It's not just the size of the dog that matters. The breed's temperament and behavior patterns also play a role in dog attacks. Some breeds such a Pit Bulls and German Shepherds are statistically more likely to engage in aggressive behavior.

It’s important to understand that any dog can bite, especially when it has been neglected or mistreated by its owner. A dog’s breed does not always indicate behavior, and Nebraska does not have breed-specific legislation that targets certain types of dogs as inherently dangerous or aggressive.

In Bennington, every dog bite incident is evaluated on its own merits, and this requires a detailed examination of the facts. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., our focus is on determining the liability of the dog owner for the victim's injuries so we can help you get a fair settlement.

How to Avoid Dog Bites in Bennington, NE

Nobody wants their loved ones to suffer the fear and pain that comes with a dog attack. It’s a good idea to talk to your children about how to behave around dogs. Steps you can take to help prevent dog bites include:

• Never leave children unattended around a dog.
• Don’t interrupt a dog while it’s sleeping or eating.
• Never pet a strange dog.
• Don’t try to force a toy away from a dog.
• Don’t run away from an aggressive dog.
• Don’t get between dogs that are fighting.
• Don’t ever tease a dog.
• If you see a strange dog in your neighborhood, report it to the humane society.

How to Read a Dog’s Body Language

Understanding a dog's body language involves looking for signs of aggressiveness or distress. Distress can lead to defensive behavior, which may result in a bite if the dog feels that its only escape is through aggression. Signs of distress may include excessive panting, drooling, or shaking. A fearful dog may also tuck its tail, lower its body, or attempt to hide or escape from a stressful situation.

Growling is a clear indication of aggression, and there are also physical cues. Look for a stiff body posture, with the dog standing rigid and still. The fur along their back may rise, which is known as piloerection. The dog’s ears might also be pinned back against its head. Aggressive dogs often show their teeth or snap. An aggressive dog’s eyes may have a hard stare, and you might see the whites of their eyes. This is a condition referred to as whale eye.

We’re Here to Help

It’s going to take a long time for the victim of a dog bite to feel completely safe again. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we help you get the money you need to put your life back together. Jason Bottlinger was named as one of the top personal injury attorneys in Omaha by Expertise.com. You won’t owe us anything if we don’t win your case.

Call (402) 505-8234 to learn more today.