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Dog attacks can be a frightening experience for families all across Middletown, Connecticut. Serious physical injuries, psychological trauma, and economic losses can all result from dog bites and attacks. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Middletown, a Middletown dog bite lawyer may be able to explain your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve under Connecticut law.
Dog bites and attacks can occur anywhere in Middletown, whether they happen on the street near Wesleyan University, in a residential neighborhood such as Westfield or South Farms, or in commercial areas like along Route 66 or Washington Street. Dog injuries can be serious, and in all cases, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible at Middlesex Hospital or a local urgent care facility.
With the right legal representation, dog bite victims can seek damages for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Advocating for Middletown and Middlesex County residents for decades, Weber & Rubano, LLC, was founded by Middletown personal injury lawyers Louis Rubano and R.J. Weber III. We are dedicated to protecting victims of personal injury, including dog bite cases, in Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, and other nearby communities.
Authorized to try civil cases in courts across Connecticut, we have over ten years of legal support from our attorneys and paralegals. We know how to file claims in Middletown Superior Court and negotiate with insurance companies for the maximum results.
In West Hartford, over 100 roaming dog calls have been reported since 2023, with 64 resulting in bites to people or other dogs by unleashed dogs. Additionally, the average payout for a dog bite claim is $64,555.
Dog owners are strictly liable for injuries in Connecticut. That means that a victim need not show negligence or knowledge that the dog was dangerous. Instead, the victim must only show that the dog caused the injuries. Strict liability standards apply to dog bites and extend to other injuries as well as property damage. Two exceptions to liability apply if the person bitten or injured was trespassing or provoking the dog by teasing or abusing it.
In Middletown, dog attacks and bites frequently take place in parks, on residential streets, or close to nearby establishments. Typical injuries consist of:
Common causes include attacks inside apartment buildings along Washington Street or close to the Connecticut River, dogs escaping from unfenced yards, careless owners permitting off-leash behavior, and hostile animals in nearby parks.
In some cases, someone other than the owner may be held liable for a dog bite. Connecticut uses the legal concept of a dog’s “keeper,” which is a person who has control of the dog and assumes obligations typically held by an owner.
Proof of someone maintaining control over a dog through activities like feeding or walking establishes them as a keeper. However, courts generally require clear and convincing evidence that the alleged keeper had control over the animal, and not merely a temporary interaction.
Non-owners may also be liable under the “one-bite” rule if they had prior knowledge that the dog exhibited dangerous propensities, and they failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the dog from harming someone else. This rule can apply in cases such as a landlord whose tenant’s dog bites a visitor in a common area or a business owner whose dog injures a customer on the premises.
Dog bite claims in Middletown can be complex and confusing. In dog bite cases, the legal strategy can involve strict liability principles, one-bite laws, and defenses available to owners or landlords. A knowledgeable attorney can make sure all factors are considered, thoroughly investigate liability, document injuries and damages, and handle all legal issues.
A Middletown dog bite lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies and fight for you in court if needed. We can seek maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
To win a dog bite claim in Connecticut, you must prove the dog caused your injury, and the owner or keeper is responsible under strict liability or the one-bite rule. Collect documents such as medical records, injury photographs, witness statements, and animal control reports from local authorities.
Your Middletown dog bite attorney can manage filing deadlines and insurance negotiations with court representation when needed to earn you deserved compensation.
A Level 2 dog bite includes puncture wounds that break the skin but may not reach the muscles or tendons. The bite may lead to bleeding, minor tissue damage, and the potential for infection. It is more severe than a superficial scratch, but less serious than a bite, requiring surgery or causing permanent damage. Medical evaluation is always advised.
Yes, under Connecticut law, any dog bite that breaks the skin must be reported to the local animal control agency. Reporting can help ensure the safety of others by making officials aware of the dog’s vaccination status and whether it is at risk for rabies. The officials can also investigate whether the dog has the potential to be an ongoing threat to others. Reporting incidents serves as necessary proof to pursue compensation claims.
The value of a dog bite case in Connecticut depends on the severity of the injury and the medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress that result from the attack. Minor dog bites can result in awards of a few thousand dollars, while serious injuries that require surgery and result in permanent scarring or disfigurement can be worth much more.
If you or someone you know was injured in a dog bite, hire a dog bite lawyer with Weber & Rubano, LLC. We can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation.