Dog Bite Lawyer in Orange Beach, AL

These damages cover the measurable financial costs of your injury:

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up care.
• Lost wages: If your injury forced you to miss work, you can recover the income you lost.
• Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to the same job or reduce your ability to work in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss.
• Future medical care: Severe dog bite injuries often require ongoing treatment such as scar revision surgery, rehabilitation, or counseling.

These damages compensate you for the harder-to-measure impacts of a dog bite:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain you’ve endured as a result of the attack.
• Emotional distress: Dog bite victims often experience anxiety, PTSD, or a lasting fear of dogs.
• Scarring and disfigurement: Visible scars or permanent changes in appearance can affect your confidence and quality of life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may recover damages for this loss.

In some rare cases, these damages may apply. If the dog’s owner acted with extreme negligence or willfully disregarded known dangers, the court may award punitive damages to punish that behavior.

The value of a dog bite claim depends on the severity of the injuries, medical costs, lost income, scarring, emotional trauma, and long-term impact.

The dog’s owner is usually the primary liable party, but others may also share responsibility. Property owners, landlords, or anyone who had control over the dog at the time of the attack may be held accountable if they failed to act responsibly.

Yes. Even if the dog had no prior history of aggression, you may still file a claim if the attack resulted from the owner’s negligence, violation of leash laws, or other unsafe conditions.

Helpful evidence includes medical records, photos of injuries, witness statements, proof of the dog’s vaccination history, and any animal control or police reports. The stronger your evidence, the more likely you are to recover full compensation.

Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule, which means if you are found even partly at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation. This makes it especially important to work with an attorney who can argue against claims of shared fault.

Fault is determined by reviewing the circumstances of the attack, such as whether leash laws were followed, whether the dog was known to be dangerous, and whether you were lawfully on the property. Witness statements, and expert analysis are often used to establish liability.

Yes. Parents or guardians can file a claim on behalf of an injured child. Because children are more likely to suffer permanent scarring and trauma, these cases often involve higher compensation.

Under Alabama law, dog bite victims have 2 years from the date of the attack to file an injury claim. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to compensation, so it’s important to act quickly.

If the dog’s owner lacks insurance coverage, you may still pursue compensation directly from them. In some cases, other liable parties may provide another path to recovery.

You should never accept a settlement without speaking to a lawyer first. Early offers are often far less than what your case is worth, and once you accept, you cannot pursue additional compensation.

Most dog bite cases are resolved through settlements. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, your attorney may recommend taking the case to court to protect your rights.

Yes, as long as you were lawfully on the property. Alabama law allows victims such as guests, delivery workers, or postal employees to seek compensation when bitten on private property.

At Long & Long Injury Attorneys, there are no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. This allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.