Dog Bite Injuries

Connecticut Dog-Bite and Animal-Attack Claims

Dog bites and other attacks can cause puncture wounds, fractures, nerve damage, infection, scarring and lasting emotional harm. Children can be especially vulnerable. Cavanaugh Law represents injured people and families in serious Connecticut dog-attack cases.

Connecticut’s Dog-Damage Statute

Connecticut General Statutes § 22-357 generally makes a dog’s owner or keeper responsible for damage caused by the dog. The statute includes exceptions, including circumstances involving trespass or another tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog. The application of the statute and the identity of an owner or keeper depend on the evidence in the particular case.

A claim may also involve additional legal and factual issues, including negligence, property control, the conduct of other responsible parties and available insurance coverage.

Insurance and Sources of Recovery

Homeowners, renters or other liability insurance may provide coverage for a dog-related injury, depending on the policy, exclusions and circumstances. When coverage is uncertain, it may be necessary to identify the dog’s owner or keeper, the property owner, household members and any potentially applicable policies.

The absence of obvious insurance information does not answer whether coverage exists. A prompt investigation can help identify responsible parties and preserve evidence.

What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack

  1. Get appropriate medical care. Dog bites can create infection risks and injuries that may require follow-up treatment.
  2. Identify the dog and responsible people. Obtain the names and contact information of the owner, keeper, property owner and witnesses when possible.
  3. Report the incident. Contact the appropriate local animal-control or police authority and preserve the report information.
  4. Document injuries over time. Photograph wounds, bruising and scarring throughout the healing process.
  5. Preserve evidence. Keep torn or bloodied clothing, medical records, bills, correspondence and information about missed work or activities.
  6. Avoid premature resolution. The full extent of scarring, nerve injury or emotional effects may not be known immediately.

This information is general; specific rights and responsibilities depend on the facts.

Compensation for Dog-Bite Injuries

Depending on the case, recoverable losses may include medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, psychological harm and other legally compensable losses.

Experienced, Personal Representation

Attorney Robert “Bob” Cavanaugh has represented injured people exclusively since 2002. He works directly with clients, maintains a focused caseload and draws on prior insurance-side experience when investigating coverage and presenting claims.

Initial consultations are free. Dog-bite cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, so no attorney’s fee is owed unless compensation is recovered.

Request a free case evaluation or call (203) 259-5400.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few questions that we’re often asked regarding dog bites and animal attacks:

  • Do state or local laws cover dog bites? Yes. Connecticut has a “dog bite” statute that imposes strict liability on the owner and/or keeper of a dog. In short, unless the victim was trespassing, tormenting or abusing the dog at the time of the bite, the owner of keeper of the dog is liable for the victim’s injuries. In addition, local communities may have animal laws covering bites and leash laws, as well as animal vaccinations. Some local laws may even prohibit ownership of certain breeds.
  • Is an owner responsible for injuries to a trespasser? Maybe. The current state of the law is that a trespasser can recover under the dog bite statute unless it can be shown that the trespasser also had the intention to commit an injurious act while trespassing. However, an experienced attorney may be able to determine if there are potentially overriding circumstances in your case.
  • Are dog bite cases covered by homeowners' insurance? Homeowners insurance covers most dog bite injuries. Insurance companies are required by law to investigate each claim and deal in good faith with the victim.
  • Are all types of dog bites covered by insurance? Having insurance does not always mean that the dog bite will be covered. As with any other type of personal injury case, the insurance company has the right to approve or deny the claim. This is why hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer to represent you is crucial to receiving compensation; personal injury lawyers know the tactics that insurance companies use and how to best communicate with them in order to ensure a successful recovery.
  • Are all breeds covered by insurance? It’s important to know that not all dog breeds may be covered under your insurance. Breeds categorized as “dangerous” or “aggressive” may not be insured. Most often, the list of excluded breeds covered by insurance companies includes pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German shepherds, etc. It’s important to understand your specific policy, especially if you are concerned about being covered for a specific breed.
  • What’s the average monetary settlement for a dog bite case? Each case is different, depending on the circumstances of the attack, the degree of injury and other factors.
  • What is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit after a dog attack? It depends on the type of claim asserted. Connecticut has a three-year statute of limitation on dog bites. This means that if you have been bitten by a dog, you would need to file suit within three years of the incident or risk losing all potential damages. However, a claim based on a theory of common law negligence or recklessness has a two-year statute of limitation. This gives you plenty of time to determine the medical implications of the attack. However, it’s a good idea to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a dog bite has occurred, so that your claim is not jeopardized in any way.

Case Studies

Here are a few of the dog bite and animal attack cases that we have handled:

  • German Shepherd attack causing puncture wounds and a fractured forearm | $480,000.00 recovery. A 54-year-old woman suffered multiple puncture wounds and a fractured forearm when she was attacked by a German Shepherd.
  • Mauled by family dog | $100,000.00 recovery. A 2 year old child was mauled by a family friend’s dog, where the attack resulted in no permanent visible scarring.
  • Injured from dog | $37,000.00 recovery. A woman who was not bitten by a dog, but instead was injured (fully healed hip fracture) when the dog “affectionately nuzzled” the woman, causing loss of balance and fall.
  • Bit by dog | $28,000.00 recovery. A woman received a puncture wound to her thigh from a pit bull bite at a friend’s house.