If you or a family member has suffered a dog bite, a Milwaukee dog bite lawyer can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us for a free case evaluation with a Milwaukee personal injury lawyer.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Milwaukee Dog Bite Incident?
What Are Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws?
Wisconsin Statute § 174.02 follows a strict liability rule—a dog’s owner or keeper is liable for property damage, death, or injuries caused by the dog’s behavior. You’ll need to prove that any incident caused by a dog occurred (e.g., a dog bit someone, knocked a toddler over, or caused a cyclist to crash), caused injury, and led to losses. Wisconsin uses a comparative negligence system; if a victim provoked the dog, a jury will assign a percentage of fault to both parties.
How Prior Bite History Affects Your Case
In addition to strict liability, double damages may come into play if the dog previously bit a person in an unprovoked attack, broke the skin, caused permanent scarring or disfigurement, and the current bite meets the same criteria. Because these laws are complex, the best way to find out which laws apply to your case is to have a conversation with an experienced dog bite attorney.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Injury Case?
In Wisconsin, you generally have three years from the date of the attack to file a dog bite lawsuit, as outlined in Wisconsin Statute § 893.54(1m). Because there are exceptions, it is important to consult an experienced attorney about your personal injury case.
How Serious Is the Problem?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that there are 88 million dogs in the country. AVMA also reports that each year 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs. Children are often dog bite victims and suffer severe injuries.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Milwaukee?
Here are the steps to take after a dog bite incident:
- Seek medical attention and save your medical records.
- Identify the dog and its owner. If it is safe, get the owner’s name and contact details, a description of the dog, and its vaccination status. If there are witnesses, collect their information as well.
- If the bite occurred in Milwaukee, reporting a bite that breaks skin is a legal requirement:
- During office hours, contact the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) at (414) 286-2268. DNS will dispatch an inspector to initiate a mandatory 10-to-14-day rabies quarantine for the dog.
- After office hours, call the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) non-emergency line at (414) 933-4444.
- Contact our Milwaukee dog bite attorneys to discuss a personal injury claim.
Common Injuries Suffered in a Milwaukee Dog Attack
Seek treatment following an attack from someone else’s dog. Serious injuries can include deep puncture wounds, facial injuries leaving permanent physical scarring, lacerations, cuts, broken bones, nerve damage, rabies infection, and emotional trauma.
How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?
Not every dog bite requires a lawyer, but many situations do benefit from legal representation. A personal injury victim should consider speaking with a personal injury attorney if:
- The dog injured you seriously, requiring significant medical treatment.
- You’re facing long-term effects like scarring, nerve damage, or psychological trauma.
- The dog has bitten someone before.
- The owner is disputing liability or their insurance provider is being difficult.
- You’re unsure how to value your claim.
What Compensation Can Milwaukee Dog Bite Victims Receive?
In Milwaukee, WI, victims may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages (for physical injuries as well as pain and suffering). Fair compensation may include:
- Medical costs of current and future medical care (including medical bills for emergency treatment, hospital visits, reconstructive surgery, and other surgeries)
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering—physical pain and emotional distress like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Personal property recovery
- And more
How Much Is My Milwaukee Dog Bite Claim Worth?
Our Wisconsin dog bite attorneys value a Milwaukee dog bite case, taking into account factors like the severity of injuries, history of prior attacks, amount of medical expenses, lost wages, and the amount of insurance coverage available from the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, Today
Our experienced legal team has a proven track record of helping dog bite victims seek compensation they deserve. We can investigate the incident, identify who may be held liable, and handle insurance company negotiations to win maximum compensation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
We offer free consultations for victims with animal attack injuries. You will speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer who will review your case, explain Wisconsin’s legal process, and outline your legal options to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
(312) 223-1700