Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Hobbs, New Mexico

Unfortunately, dog bites happen frequently across the United States, and according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), one out of every five dog bites requires medical attention. Children are also at the highest risk of sustaining a dog bite, the CDC states, and even dogs that a child or person is familiar with can become aggressive under certain circumstances. 

Legal Help For Victims of Dog Bites

Most dog owners are responsible and work hard to socialize and train their pets, in addition to avoiding situations where they know their dog could get aggressive. When an owner is negligent, however, and their dog bites another person, they should be held responsible. 

At the Zebas Law Firm, LLC, we know that nobody “wins” in these types of suits, but we have also seen that our clients often bear the burden of the costs of a dog bite injury and deserve to receive compensation. If you have been bitten by a dog and have had to pay medical bills, lost wages, or otherwise suffered because of your injuries, contact our firm to learn how we can help you recover compensation. 
 

Dog Bite Laws in Arizona and New Mexico

The state of Arizona holds dog owners liable for bite injuries on public and private property. If, however, a dog bites someone who is trespassing or deliberately provoking the animal, then an owner is not liable.

New Mexico law does not include a statute that specifically outlines liability for a dog bite. Instead, two significant court precedents generally help determine whether an owner is liable in a lawsuit. 

These two precedents and what they entail are as follows:

  • The “one-bite” rule maintains that if a dog owner is aware that their dog has bitten or acted aggressively toward another person, then they could be held liable. This rule does not apply when the dog has only bitten or acted aggressively toward another dog. 
  • Negligent owners can be held liable. To do so, a person pursuing a lawsuit must demonstrate that the owner failed to take necessary measures to prevent the dog bite.

While these two precedents can provide grounds on which to build a case, establishing this foundation requires evidence that might be hard to obtain and/or present effectively in court. Our Hobbs dog bite injury attorney, Joe Zebas, has a wealth of experience pursuing settlements for individuals that have sustained injuries and suffered because of an owner’s negligence. Our attorney has served a variety of cases and can develop a personalized strategy to help get his client the compensation they deserve. 

Why Are Dog Bites Dangerous?

Dog bites are primarily concerning because they can cause infections. The Cleveland Clinic’s emergency medicine doctor Stephen Sayles, III, MD states that dog bites are often jagged wounds that can host quite severe infections. If this happens, an individual could be hospitalized or need to take certain antibiotics, especially if they are diabetic or immunocompromised. 

Beyond infection, dogs often have the strength to do serious damage to person’s muscles, tissues, or bones. These types of injuries could necessitate surgeries or rehab. They could even cause scarring that could require plastic surgery or grafting if the scars are on the face or other visible areas. 

Many of us have dogs we know and love, and we might even find joy in getting to know new dogs while on a walk around our neighborhood or spending a day in a park. Should one of these encounters unfortunately result in a dog bite, it is important to know that you should seek immediate medical attention to mitigate the potentially severe effects of the injury. 

 

Reviews & Testimonials

    "He went above and beyond for my family and I wouldn't change a thing."

    He went above and beyond for my family and I wouldn't change a thing.

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