Middlebury Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

When Man’s Best Friend Turns on You, Turn to Griffin Injury Law, LLC

Some people assume that because there are more guidelines for animal safety nowadays that there would be fewer injuries related to attacks from dogs and other domestic animals. However, over 4 million Americans have suffered from dog bites alone this year, many of them children or vulnerable adults. Even though there are not often direct fatalities from such attacks, the damage is usually so severe that most victims have to get extensive medical treatment and multiple surgeries to recover from these deep wounds.

In many cases, the scars do not go away even with rigorous operations. In addition to the physical toll an animal attack can leave on an individual, victims often suffer from debilitating and life-long mental trauma. This can manifest as fear against even friendly animals, which is sometimes so debilitating that a victim will avoid certain situations and life events.

In the worst cases, a victim can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or severe anxiety and depression that can impact their everyday lives. To pay for costly medical and psychiatric treatments, you deserve recompense from the negligent animal owner for failing in their duty of care to keep their dog from attacking you. Our Middlebury dog bite injury lawyers at Griffin Injury Law, LLC are dedicated to getting you the justice you need to move on with your life.

What Are the Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites?

Dog bite injuries can have both physical and psychological impacts, including the potential for PTSD from a dog bite.

Physically, victims of dog attacks may experience:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Infections caused by bacteria entering the wounds
• Muscle, tendon, and nerve damage
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Tissue loss due to deep punctures
• Amputation of fingers or limbs in extreme cases

The psychological effects of a dog attack can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fear of animals and certain situations or life events, even if they involve friendly dogs
• Panic attacks or flashbacks triggered by seeing a dog or being in similar situations to when the attack occurred
• Social withdrawal resulting from feeling embarrassed or insecure due to physical injuries from the attack
• Emotional trauma caused by feeling violated during the attack

What Treatments Are Available for Dog Bite Injuries?

Physical treatments for dog bite victims may involve:

• Surgical procedures such as sutures, staples, and skin grafts to close and repair wounds.
• Antibiotics to prevent or reduce the risk of infections.
• Prescription painkillers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Psychological injury treatments for victims of dog bites, including those experiencing dog bite PTSD, may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help manage anxiety and depression.
• Exposure therapy to gradually reintroduce the victim to the situation that caused the trauma in a safe environment.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process traumatic memories.
• Medication, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, when CBT and other methods are not enough.

How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?

When you've suffered a dog bite and are dealing with the physical and psychological aftermath, it can be overwhelming to navigate the legal system alone. That's why our Middlebury dog bite injury attorneys at Griffin Injury Law, LLC are here to assist you. We will help you file a lawsuit against the negligent animal owner, seeking compensation for physical and psychological damages, lost wages, and medical costs resulting from the dog attack. We understand the pain and challenges you face, and our dedicated team is ready to support you in obtaining the justice you deserve. Contact our firm today for more information on how we can assist you.

Connecticut Leash Laws

In Connecticut, all dog owners have a legal responsibility to make sure that their animals are kept under control when around other people. If owners do not fulfill their duty of by keeping their dogs restrained, they must face the consequences if those animals attack and injure people.

To better protect Connecticut inhabitants, local and state laws have established that it is illegal for uncontrolled dogs to be roaming around others’ private or public property, including parks, roads, and sidewalks. As such, dogs must be kept on a leash while on public property or other's private property.

If pet control officers notice any dogs who are unrestrained or uncontrolled, they may seize these animals, including:

• Dogs roaming without a leash
• Dogs found without plates, chips, or tags
• Dogs that have been discovered to have a risky injury
• Dogs that have suffered cruelty from owners
• Dogs that have been abandoned or are unclaimed by owners

Dog Bite Laws CT

Connecticut follows a "strict liability statute" when it comes to dog bite law. This means that a dog owner can still be held liable for the injuries their animal inflicts even if they had no prior knowledge that their dog would act aggressively, or if their dog had never acted aggressive before.

In general, Connecticut has placed powerful statutes which were designed to protect those who have been bitten or injured by a dog or other animal. Usually, the owners of the animal are liable to pay for any injuries or damages suffered by the victim, unless this person was purposefully acting in a way that would provoke the dog. Even if the owner was unaware that their dog was violent, they are still responsible for any pain you have experienced from a surprise attack.

It is important to note that serious injury may also occur from a victim being jumped on or tackled by a dog or other animal, especially if the animal is particularly big or powerful. These cases can lead to severe injuries in vulnerable adults, such as the elderly, including bone fractures, dislocated joint, spine or hip injuries, neck injuries, skull fractures, bruising and internal bleeding, and more. In these cases, even if the skin was not punctured by a bite, the animal’s owner may still be liable for their pet’s behavior and therefore owe the victim compensation for their medical care and rehabilitation.

Other Animal-Related Injuries

In addition to dogs, attacks, bites, kicks, and other issues can happen because of a wide variety of other animals. For example, a simple bite or scratch from a cat, or even a cat licking the broken skin of a victim, can lead to felinosis, or “cat-scratch disease,” a bacterial infection that can cause fevers and lethargy, and, in some cases, leads to hospitalization.

Riders may also be thrown from horses, ponies, donkeys, or other pack animals, leading to broken bones and serious injury. This happens when the animal is improperly trained to carry riders, when they react badly to an otherwise normal situation, or when they suddenly take off or stop short. In the worst cases, these incidents can lead to permanent paralysis, leaving the victim unable to enjoy their lives as they once did.

Contact us now at (860) 390-5767 and our team can immediately begin building a case to support you after a terrible dog bite attack. Initial consultations are always free. 

Support in the Most Challenging of Times

Even for those who are fortunate enough that their scars fade, the trauma which comes from being viciously attacked by a dog is so extreme that victims often require months of therapy.

All of these treatments and rehabilitation are expensive, especially if someone has lost wages (or even their job) on account of the attack. To help pay for your extensive medical bills, you deserve compensation for your severe pain and suffering. Our Middlebury dog bite injury attorneys are ready to help you obtain true retribution following a dog attack.

Call us today at (860) 390-5767 or contact us online and you can receive a completely free consultation with our powerful legal team.