What to Do if a Neighbor’s Dog Bites Your Child

When your child gets injured, a thousand thoughts race through your head. If the injury was caused by a dog bite, there are certain things that you can do to make life easier in the aftermath. There are over 4 million dog bite reports every single year, and the problem is only on the rise in post-pandemic times. Whether it is a lack of training or an increase in pet ownership of dangerous breeds, the problem is real! If it happens to your child, here is what you need to do.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if the bite from the canine was only a small one, it is still essential that you seek care from a medical professional. This is not just to prove that there was an injury sustained, but also to make sure that the child has exactly what they need to avoid infection and further complications. It may be a superficial injury, but that doesn’t mean the child will recover without intervention from a doctor.

Inform the Authorities

Even if you feel like you have a personal obligation to not report the dog for the sake of friendship or otherwise, you have to put that aside. Reporting the dog is a civic duty, and if you don’t do it, someone else is likely to take it out of your hands. If the dog was provoked, there is every chance it will be reunited with its owner. Not all dogs that are taken by the authorities are destroyed; in fact, plenty are observed and returned after a set period of time while the investigation into the incident takes place.

Think About Your Options Moving Forward

Communicating with your neighbors after the incident will enable everyone involved to feel up to date with all the facts. If the injuries are serious, the neighbors will surely be concerned about the child and want to co-operate in any way that they can. It may be the case that if you decide to proceed with legal action down the line, you have to be more mindful about what you say. For instance, saying that your child caused the incident when you don’t have all the facts is a verbal admission that your neighbor can use to get around having to pay compensation in the future. The key is to keep a level head and always look to the professionals.

Find an Attorney

If your child has suffered from life-changing injuries and is now facing life with a disability, or even tragically died as a result of the attack, there are attorneys out there who will represent your case so that you can get compensation for what your family has suffered through. There may be a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit to consider, and you will need the assistance of a professional with experience in this area to see things through.

If your child is a victim of a dog bite, and the neighbor is the one to blame, what you do next depends on how badly your child was hurt and what you want from the process. There are lots of options, and your best bet is to get in touch or pay a visit to one of our Law Offices today.

 

Visit our Ridgeland office on 370 Towne Center Blvrd MS 39157.

Or call now for a free consultation on (601) 981 4717.

The post What to Do if a Neighbor’s Dog Bites Your Child appeared first on Derek Hall, PC.

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5 Common Misconceptions About Personal Injury Cases

Filing a personal injury claim is something to be taken seriously yet many people can be put off due to common misconceptions. Usually, these misconceptions are not even close to the truth, which means you could be missing out on a claim because of myths you have read on the internet.

If you want to know more about a personal injury case, the best action to take is to speak to a personal injury attorney. Being hurt in an accident that was not your fault is enough to deal with, so allow the legalities to be taken care of by a professional.

Below we look at five common misconceptions about personal injury cases.

A Personal Injury Lawyer is Expensive

Many people are instantly put off from hiring a personal injury lawyer or speaking to them about their case because of the fees included. When speaking to a trusted and professional attorney, there will be no hidden fees. In fact, our law firm offers a completely free case review.

This means you can get legal help and advice surrounding your case, without spending a dollar. One of our lawyers can discuss the case with you, before deciding whether or not you would be able to make a claim. They can also give you a better idea of the process, any costs involved, and what kind of compensation you may be entitled to.

Although hiring a lawyer isn’t free, when you compare the costs to the compensation you could get from your claim, hiring a personal injury lawyer is worth it.

Personal Injury Claims Can Take Years

It is rare for a personal injury claim to take years to come to a settlement. The only settlements that can take a while to come to a conclusion are those that cause serious, life-threatening injuries, or wrongful deaths. This is more so due to the fact that many professionals need to be involved, and it can take longer to prove cases such as wrongful death.

That being said, the length of a personal injury claim should never stop you from pursuing a case, as a wrongful death attorney would take care of most of the work for you, giving you time to grieve and come to terms with your loss.

In the majority of cases, personal injury claims can be settled without going to court. This allows a case to be settled without time-consuming trials. Remember that defendants and insurance companies want to resolve a dispute just as quickly as you do, so it is very unlikely that your personal injury claim will take years to decide.

Our lawyers will do everything in their power to conclude your personal injury case quickly, so you can move forward with your life.

Compensation is Always Guaranteed

Unfortunately, compensation is never a guarantee, so you should stay clear of any law firm promising that the case will be completed within a certain time frame, or that you are guaranteed a set amount of compensation. Cases develop and as your attorney continues to search for ways to improve the compensation amount, defendant attorneys will be searching for ways to decrease the amount of compensation paid.

This is why you need a great personal injury attorney on your side, to improve your chances of a generous payout. When you first speak to a lawyer, they will let you know whether or not you have a chance of compensation, so you are more aware of your chances before you pursue a case. The more evidence an attorney has in your favor, the better your chances of compensation.

I Don’t Need a Lawyer, I Have Insurance

A lawyer is not the same as an insurance company. If you let your insurance company deal with a personal injury claim, they will attempt to settle for the lowest amount possible, as quickly as possible. Insurance companies aren’t trained in law to the same extent as personal injury attorneys, meaning they lack the experience and skill to seek compensation based on all your losses.

Hiring a lawyer is a much better option, as they have experience with insurance companies and the tactics they use for a quick, easy settlement. A personal injury lawyer will evaluate your claim independently, taking into account losses such as:

• Medical bills
• Prescription costs
• Loss of earnings due to time off work
• Personal damages, such as damages to a car if you were injured in a car accident
• Pain and suffering caused by the injury, such as how it has affected your life
• Equipment bought or rented, such as wheelchairs or crutches
• Emotional trauma caused by the accident

When dealing with an insurance company on your own, it can be difficult to know how to negotiate for the compensation that is rightly yours. Without extensive knowledge of insurance practices and the law, you are likely to settle for a low offer. Dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury case is difficult enough without having to deal with your insurance company too.

You Can Take Your Time Before Speaking to an Attorney

This is a common misconception that could result in your personal injury case being declined by an attorney. When making a personal injury claim, time is of the essence. The longer you take to speak to a lawyer, the lower the chance of success. When forming a case for your personal injury claim, a lawyer needs to prove injuries by finding witnesses, gathering evidence, and locating defendants.

If too much time has passed since the injury, it will become harder for a lawyer to do this. Depending on the state in which you reside, there may be a time limit for how long you can wait before pursuing a personal injury claim.

As you can see, many misconceptions about personal injury cases simply aren’t true. For example, personal injury cases aren’t likely to take years to resolve, and you should not delay in seeking legal help if you have been involved in an accident that has caused injury to yourself.

To debunk any common misconceptions about personal injury cases, speak to one of the personal injury attorneys at Derek L. Hall, PC, today.

Alternatively, visit our Ridgeland office on 370 Towne Center Blvrd MS 39157. Or call now for a free consultation on (601) 981 4717.

The post 5 Common Misconceptions About Personal Injury Cases appeared first on Derek Hall, PC.

from Derek Hall, PC https://www.dlhattorneys.com/blog/5-common-misconceptions-about-personal-injury-cases/
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Top Causes of Personal Injury: Know the Risks

Personal injury cases are the most common lawsuits, with as many as 500,000 cases filed each year in the US. The vast majority don’t go to court, with insurers and defendants choosing to settle out of court to keep costs lower. Sadly, there are many reasons why you may end up injured and in this article, we discuss the top causes of personal injury claims.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in almost every country in the world. In the United States alone, almost 2.5 million people are injured in car accidents every year. Car accidents can cause all kinds of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries such as spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury. The consequences of car accidents go beyond physical injury and can also cause emotional and financial damage to the victims and their families.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are common in the workplace, on public property, or in private premises such as homes or shopping malls. A slip and fall can occur due to a wet floor, loose carpet, or any hazardous surface. Slip and fall accidents can result in minor injuries like sprains to more serious ones, like brain damage. These injuries can hinder mobility and significantly impact the quality of life of the victim.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice claims arise when a medical professional harms a patient by providing substandard medical care. Injuries sustained due to medical malpractice can happen while undergoing surgery, during childbirth, or while undergoing treatment. Common injuries include permanent disability, amputation, and death. Medical malpractice claims often involve litigation and require a significant amount of time and investment in legal proceedings.

Product Liability

Sometimes, a product can cause harm or injury due to a defective design, manufacturing error, or neglect in labeling instructions or warnings. Product liability claims can arise from defective products such as motor vehicles, appliances, and even toys. Product liability can lead to severe injuries such as burns, head injuries, and even death.

Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can occur in any industry and can cause injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to serious injuries such as spinal cord damage, amputations, and traumatic brain injury. Employers have a responsibility to ensure their workplaces are safe and free from hazards. When an employer fails to protect employees from dangerous conditions, they can be held liable for the harm caused.

Dog Bites

Dogs are much-loved pets, but dog bites can happen to anyone, at any time, and can cause serious injuries such as lacerations, infections, and even fractures. Some people even suffer from psychological trauma following the incident.

While prevention is always the best cure, it is essential to know your options and seek legal advice in cases where you have been injured or harmed by the actions of another. By holding others accountable, lawyers can ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve, which will greatly reduce the burden of the physical, emotional, and financial consequences that the injuries may cause.

If you need help with a personal injury case, visit our Ridgeland office at 370 Towne Center Blvrd MS 39157.

Or call Derek L. Hall, PC now for a free consultation on (601) 981 4717.

The post Top Causes of Personal Injury: Know the Risks appeared first on Derek Hall, PC.

from Derek Hall, PC https://www.dlhattorneys.com/blog/top-causes-of-personal-injury-know-the-risks/
via https://www.dlhattorneys.com/