You Aren’t Required to Hire a Rhode Island Dog Bite Lawyer – But Here’s How an Experienced Attorney Can Help
A dog bite can leave you with painful injuries, emotional trauma, and a mountain of medical bills. The physical and psychological toll can be overwhelming, and the legal process can feel daunting.
At Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum, we want you to know that you don’t have to go through this challenging time alone. Our Rhode Island dog bite lawyers are here to provide the guidance, support, and legal experience you need to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
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Proving Liability in a Dog Bite Case
If you have been bitten by a dog in Rhode Island, proving liability is critical to winning your case and securing the compensation you need to recover.
Your Rhode Island dog bite lawyer will investigate what happened to you and gather relevant evidence. To prove liability, you will need to demonstrate that:
- The owner knew about the dog’s aggressive behavior. If the owner was aware that their dog had a history of biting or acting aggressively and didn’t take proper precautions, this can strengthen your case.
- The owner failed to restrain the dog properly. Dog owners are required to keep their pets leashed or in a secure area when in public. Failure to do so could be seen as negligence.
- The owner didn’t warn others about the dog’s potential danger. If the owner did not take the necessary steps to warn people about the dog’s aggressive nature, this can also help prove they were negligent.
Rhode Island’s Dog Bite Law: Location Matters
Rhode Island dog bite law differs depending on where the attack happened.
Dog Bites on the Dog Owner’s Property
Rhode Island’s "one bite rule" states that a dog owner can be held liable for a bite or attack on their property only if they knew about the dog’s aggressive tendencies. If the dog had never bitten or attacked anyone before, the owner might argue they were unaware that their dog was dangerous.
Dog Bites on Other People’s Property
RI Gen Laws § 4-13-16 states that if a dog harms or kills any domestic animal or injures a person while away from its owner’s property, the owner is responsible for all damages. The owner must pay double the amount if the dog causes more damage later. Additionally, the court may order the dog to be put down. It doesn’t matter if the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
How a Warwick Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
Working with an experienced lawyer from Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum can help you understand how the law applies to your case. We can protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for your full compensation. With the right evidence and advocacy, you could recover compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and loss of future income earnings
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Other related expenses
Real Results for Rhode Island Dog Bite Victims
At Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum, we are dedicated to getting our clients the results they deserve. For example, we helped a woman who was walking her leashed dog in her neighborhood when another dog attacked. She was bitten multiple times while trying to separate the two dogs and suffered a broken thumb. We secured a successful $15,000 settlement for her. In another case, we represented a young boy who was bitten by a friend’s family dog who lunged and attacked him. Despite the challenge of proving the dog’s owners knew it was dangerous, we secured a $155,000 settlement for the boy.
Every case is unique, but our goal remains the same—to help our clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. To learn more about how our lawyers have helped other Rhode Island dog bite victims, check out our case results and testimonials.
