One of the most challenging aspects of a dog bite injury in Marietta is the cost of treatment. Often, these dog bites are disfiguring – and they may require reconstructive surgery. This type of treatment doesn’t come cheap – and victims may be totally unprepared for the costs. The obvious course of action is to sue the dog owner – but what if they lack assets? What if they’re struggling with credit card debt and they do not own their own home? In this situation, you might need to consider other parties who may have contributed to your injuries.
Suing Healthcare Providers for Making Dog Bites Worse
It may be possible to sue a healthcare provider for making a dog bite worse. For example, you might rush to a hospital with an infected dog bite – only to be kept waiting in an emergency room for hours on end. By the time you saw a doctor, the infection might have spread. In this type of situation, surgeons may have no choice but to amputate the infected limb – leaving you with a permanent disability and disfigurement.
Alternatively, doctors may attempt reconstructive surgery to repair dog bite wounds to your face. If they botch the procedure and make your disfigurements worse, you might consider legal action.
This could be a viable source of compensation in certain situations, especially if the dog owner lacks the assets to cover your damages.
Can Dog Bites Lead to Product Liability Lawsuits?
In some cases, dog bites may also lead to product liability lawsuits. For example, the dog that bit you may have broken free from a leash or collar before the attack. After the attack, you may determine that the leash was defective – and you could potentially sue the manufacturer. The same logic may apply to certain fences, gates, and other products meant to restrain or contain dogs.
Like dog bite lawsuits, product liability claims involve “strict liability.” This means that there is no need to prove negligence – and you only need to show that the dog owner purchased the defective product. You do not need to “own” or purchase the product in order to file a claim against a manufacturer.
Interference From the Police
Police often assist dog bite victims after they have been attacked, but they could also make this situation worse. For example, you might have been detained and assaulted by police officers who arrived at the scene after your dog bite. Perhaps they assumed that you were a trespasser. Maybe they stopped you from receiving the medical attention you needed, keeping you at the scene for hours while you lost blood. It could be possible to file a claim against the police in this situation.
Do Not Assume That You Have No Options After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite, it is easy to abandon hope when you realize that the owner has no ability to pay for your damages. In this situation, it is important not to give up hope. Legal professionals can assist victims, and they may be able to spot opportunities that average people miss. Before dismissing the possibility of a lawsuit, victims may wish to consider their legal options alongside legal professionals in Cobb County.