A dog attack can happen suddenly and leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional. If you or a loved one has been bitten, an Indianapolis dog bite attorney from Team Green Law can help you recover the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
Our attorneys have years of experience representing injured Hoosiers across Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Fort Wayne. We understand how serious these injuries can be, from torn muscles and nerve damage to infection and disfigurement. You deserve accountability and fair compensation for your suffering.
Team Green Law offers free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win. Reach out today. Our team is ready to listen, fight, and stand by your side.
Why Choose Team Green Law for a Dog Bite Claim
At Team Green Law, we believe that victims deserve to be treated with respect and compassion while we handle the legal and financial challenges. Our team brings the same level of dedication to dog bite cases as we do to catastrophic injury and trucking accident claims.
Here’s why people throughout Indiana trust our firm:
- Integrity and Accountability: We tell you the truth, not what you want to hear, so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
- Team-Based Approach: Every case benefits from our attorneys’ combined insight and decades of experience in Indiana injury law.
- Fair Fee Guarantee: You’ll never pay us more in fees than you receive from your recovery.
- Personal Attention: You’ll have direct access to your Indianapolis dog bite lawyer and consistent updates on your case.
- Local Knowledge: We know the courts, judges, and local ordinances that affect Indianapolis dog bite claims.
Our mission is simple: to hold negligent pet owners and handlers accountable and to help victims rebuild their lives with dignity.
Indiana’s Dog Bite Law
Under Indiana law, dog owners are generally responsible for injuries their pets cause when the attack happens without provocation and when the victim is lawfully on public or private property. The state’s statutes allow victims to recover damages even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
While some states follow a “one-bite rule,” Indiana is more favorable to victims. A dog owner can be held liable for the first attack if they should have known their animal might be dangerous or if they failed to restrain it properly.
Additionally, Indianapolis and Marion County have local ordinances that require dogs to be leashed or securely confined. Violations of these rules can strengthen your case and demonstrate negligence.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks often cause more than surface-level wounds. Victims may require surgery, reconstructive care, or long-term therapy. Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Nerve damage leading to numbness or chronic pain
- Broken bones from being knocked down or dragged
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring
- Infections such as rabies or MRSA
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress
Children are especially vulnerable, often suffering facial injuries that require multiple surgeries. Our Indianapolis dog bite attorneys understand how devastating these cases can be and work to secure compensation that truly covers your physical and emotional recovery.
What To Do After a Dog Bite in Indianapolis
The moments after a dog attack are frightening, but taking the right steps can protect your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even minor bites can become infected or cause long-term complications.
- Identify the dog and its owner. Get names, contact information, and vaccination records if possible.
- Report the incident. Contact Indianapolis Animal Care Services or local law enforcement to file a report.
- Document your injuries. Take photos of wounds, torn clothing, and the scene of the attack.
- Avoid speaking with the dog owner’s insurance company. They may try to minimize your claim or suggest you provoked the dog.
- Contact Team Green Law. Our attorneys can handle communication, preserve evidence, and guide you through your next steps.
Proving Negligence in a Dog Bite Case
To win compensation, your Indianapolis dog bite lawyer must prove that the dog owner was negligent or violated the law. At Team Green Law, we build each case around four key elements.
Duty of Care
Dog owners have a duty to keep others safe by restraining and controlling their pets. This includes obeying leash laws, properly securing fences, and warning visitors about aggressive dogs.
Breach of Duty
A breach occurs when the owner fails to take those precautions, such as letting a dog roam freely, ignoring leash laws, or allowing a known aggressive dog near children.
Causation
We must prove that the owner’s failure directly caused your injury. For example, if a gate was left open and a dog escaped to attack you, that careless act directly led to your harm.
Damages
Finally, we demonstrate that you suffered measurable harm, medical expenses, pain, emotional trauma, and financial loss. Our team gathers medical records, witness statements, and photos to establish each of these elements.
We also consult with medical experts, reconstruct incidents when needed, and work closely with animal control officers to prove exactly how the attack occurred and who is responsible.
Compensation for Dog Bites
Dog bite victims are entitled to compensation for both financial and non-financial losses, and the amount you recover will depend on the specific facts of your case. At Team Green Law, we may pursue damages for medical costs such as hospital bills, surgeries, reconstructive procedures, and any future medical care your injuries may require. You may also be entitled to recover lost income for the wages you missed during your recovery, as well as compensation for any reduction in your future earning capacity.
In addition to financial losses, you can seek compensation for pain and suffering, which includes the physical pain, mental anguish, and lasting trauma caused by the attack. Many victims also experience scarring or disfigurement, particularly when bites affect visible areas like the face, arms, or legs. Emotional distress damages may be available as well, especially for children and those struggling with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress following the incident.
If the dog’s owner acted with blatant disregard for safety, such as ignoring prior warnings about the animal’s behavior or violating local leash laws, punitive damages may also be available. These damages are intended not only to punish especially reckless conduct but also to discourage similar behavior in the future, promoting greater accountability among pet owners.
The Statute of Limitations in Indiana
In Indiana, you typically have two years from the date of the bite or attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation entirely.
However, some exceptions exist. For instance, if the victim is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18. However, evidence such as photos, witness memories, and medical documentation can fade quickly. Contacting a lawyer early ensures your rights are protected and your case is as strong as possible.
Emotional and Psychological Impact of Dog Attacks
The physical wounds of a dog bite may heal, but the emotional trauma can last much longer. Many victims experience fear, anxiety, or nightmares following an attack. Children may develop a lifelong fear of animals or struggle with self-esteem issues related to disfigurement.
At Team Green Law, we believe your recovery should include emotional healing as well as physical. We work to ensure that psychological counseling and therapy costs are included in your compensation. Your well-being, both inside and out, matters to us.
Contact Our Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Let a dedicated Indianapolis dog bite attorney from Team Green Law pursue justice and full compensation for your injuries. We offer free consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, and as such, you pay nothing unless we win. If you are ready to protect your rights and maximize your compensation, contact us today.
