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In the event that you or a family member has experienced a dog bite in Waterbury, it is important to get in touch with a Waterbury dog bite lawyer immediately. Dog bites can occur anywhere in the city, whether on a busy street corner near Brass Mill Center, a sidewalk in Town Plot, or in a yard in Brooklyn or Bunker Hill.
Connecticut holds dog owners to strict liability for injuries caused by their pets. This means that a victim of a dog bite may be able to collect damages even if the owner had no previous history of aggression.
Dog attacks are not only physically painful, but they can also result in substantial medical bills and long-lasting anxiety or emotional trauma. Attorney guidance from someone who understands local courts, hospitals, and neighborhoods is crucial to avoid lengthy procedures when dealing with dog bites anywhere from public parks to private properties.
Louis Rubano and R.J. Weber III founded Weber & Rubano, LLC, and have worked together to represent Connecticut families in both civil and criminal matters for more than 75 years combined. While originally established in New Haven County and Wallingford, we are now proud to serve Waterbury with an expanded team of more than 10 Waterbury personal injury attorneys and paralegals. We are licensed throughout Connecticut for both civil and criminal trials.
Connecticut’s dog-bite laws have strict liability provisions for owners and, in some cases, non-owners. Strict liability means the dog’s owner is presumed responsible for injuries inflicted by the animal, even if they were not negligent or did not know the dog was dangerous.
Strict liability does not apply if the injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, or provoking, teasing, or tormenting the dog. The people who maintain control and provide care for a dog are also responsible when the animal inflicts harm on someone. Connecticut courts define keepers as people who feed or walk a dog while also providing temporary shelter for extended periods, including roles like dog-sitters and temporary housing providers.
Non-owners can also be held liable under the state’s “one-bite” rule. This applies when a property owner or other person with control over the premises knew, or should have known, about the dog’s vicious propensities, and they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent injury, such as by leashing or restraining the dog. This can involve a landlord of an apartment building in Waterbury or a Waterbury business owner near the Waterbury Green whose dog injures a visitor.
Dog bite injuries can range in severity. Some result in minor injuries, while others tend to be more serious and require extensive health care. Some common dog bite injuries include:
The average price per dog bite claim is $64,555. Dog attacks on Postal Service employees climbed to more than 5,800 incidents last year. Waterbury had five attacks in 2023 on U.S. Postal Service employees. While a dog attack can happen to anyone, a large percentage of total dog bites are inflicted on postal workers, as they have constant interaction with homes and neighborhoods, many of which have unrestrained dogs.
When you hire a dog bite lawyer, you trust your case to a professional who is versed in Connecticut’s strict liability statutes and who is familiar with your local court, such as Waterbury Superior Court, as well as hospitals in your area, like Saint Mary’s and Waterbury Hospital.
Your Waterbury dog bite attorney can determine who was at fault, assess damages, and negotiate with insurance companies so you can receive the largest amount of money possible for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Connecticut dog bite settlements range from several thousand dollars to six figures. Lower settlements may be available for minor bites with negligible injury and few associated losses. Dog bite victims in Connecticut who endure significant injuries leading to surgery and permanent disability may receive settlements in the six-figure range. Your attorney can evaluate your damages and fight for a fair and appropriate settlement.
Yes. If injuries were significant enough to require medical attention, lead to lost income, or result in permanent scarring, a dog bite claim is most certainly worth it. In order to guarantee that victims are compensated for medical expenses, rehabilitation, pain, and suffering, a legal claim should be filed. A knowledgeable Waterbury dog bite attorney can assess liability.
Connecticut has a strict liability standard, which means dog owners are liable for their pets’ injuries even if they had no knowledge of them or were not negligent in controlling them. Defenses include provoking the dog or trespassing. Non-owner dog caretakers who control the dog and know about its dangerous tendencies can face liability under the one-bite rule if they fail to prevent injuries to others.
Economic damages available to victims cover medical expenses along with hospitalization costs, as well as rehabilitation fees and lost wages. Non-economic damages can be awarded for pain and suffering and emotional damages. In the event of a more serious attack, a settlement may also include compensation for permanent disfigurement or disability.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a dog bite attack, Weber & Rubano, LLC, can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to begin holding the responsible party accountable.