Taylor King Law has been representing our friends and neighbors for more than 30 years.
Hire a dog bite attorney today.
Our team of Arkansas injury lawyers can help if you’ve been injured by a dog bite.
Dog attacks rank amongst the top causes of nonfatal injuries in the U.S. and dog bites are serious, and sometimes fatal.
Over 800,000 people receive medical attention for dog bites every year. In other words, 1 in 5 people who are bitten by a dog require medical attention.
Trust the attorneys at Taylor King Law to be on your side – by your side. We’ve been representing Arkansans for nearly 30 years; we’re a local team that knows how to ensure you’re treated fairly.
What to Know About Dog Bites
More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. That translates to more than 12,300 dog bite victims a day. More specifically, someone is bitten by a dog every 7 seconds on average.
Between 30 to 50 people in America are killed by dog bites each year.
Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are more likely to be severely injured. In a report, The University of Arkansas in Little Rock noted that more than half of American children have been bitten at least once by the age of twelve.
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Dog Bite Laws in Arkansas
There are 2 types of dog laws that govern the regulation of dog ownership: dangerous-dog laws and breed-specific legislation. Dangerous-dog laws impose regulation as determined by the dog’s prior conduct. Breed-specific legislation regulates or bans ownership of particular breeds that are deemed vicious or dangerous.
Arkansas Code 5-62-125 states that an unlawful dog attack is a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to any penalty imposed, the defendant may be required to pay restitution, including the cost of medical bills.
Arkansas is what’s considered a “one-bite” state. The one-bite rule states that a dog owner is only responsible for injuries imposed on a victim if the owner had prior knowledge of aggressive tendencies.
Many states have amended the “one-bite” law to state that an owner is fully responsible regardless of previous signs of aggression. In Arkansas, a dog bite victim is responsible for proving negligence. There are avenues for victims to seek recompense for their injuries, but it requires an expert understanding of Arkansas law.
Why File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arkansas
Filing a lawsuit provides dog bite victims with a means of seeking compensation and holding the dog owner accountable. It furthermore protects others from harm. However, filing a dog bite lawsuit requires a full understanding of Arkansas law.
If you or a loved one have been attacked by a dog, there is a means of seeking compensation. Arkansas has statutes in place that protects dog bite victims. Dog owners whose dog attacks a victim can be held liable for negligence or strict liability.
How to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit
The first requirement for filing a dog bite lawsuit will be establishing that the defendant did in fact own or “keep” the animal. The second requirement is establishing negligence or common-law strict liability.
Proving Negligence in an Arkansas Dog Bite Case
Negligence can be proven without proving the dog previously harmed someone. For example, if the owner allowed their dog to run loose or “at large” and in so doing violated animal control law. Did the dog owner exercise necessary care and precaution?
Proving negligence is your attorney’s responsibility. Without proving negligence, it will be necessary to establish that the animal had dangerous tendencies.
Strict Liability Law in Arkansas
Some ordinances, such as Benton County, impose strict liability. Strict liability in the case of a dog attack means the owner is responsible for damages and injuries caused by their dog, regardless. Arkansas does not have an overall strict liability law, so it will come down to local municipalities.
Additional hurdles to filing a dog bite lawsuit will be any provocation by the victim, potential contributing negligence, as well as the victim’s possible previous knowledge. Each of these hurdles needs to be addressed by your lawyer.
Hiring a trusted, local personal injury lawyer is the first and most important step to filing a dog-bite lawsuit. You’ll need an attorney with an expansive knowledge of Arkansas law. And you’ll need an attorney with the experience to ensure you’re properly compensated.
Injury Lawyers in Arkansas
Trust the local team at Taylor King Law to discuss your dog bite experience, answer your questions, walk through potential next steps, and ultimately ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We’ve been serving Arkansans for nearly 30 years. And with over 275 years of combined experience, we’re more than prepared to help you with your personal injury case.
We know the ins and outs of dog bite cases, so we’re ready to be on your side – by your side.
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