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Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyer

How Much Will an Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyer From Tandy Law Firm Cost You?

You pay no upfront attorney fees to work with Tandy Law Firm. We handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. 

Your initial consultation is also free. Talk with our Indianapolis dog bite team about what happened, ask questions, and learn about your legal options without added financial pressure. Request a free dog bite case consultation.

How Dog Bite Claims Work in Indiana

Indiana dog bite claims often depend on what the dog’s owner knew, how the animal was controlled, and whether reasonable steps could have prevented the attack. Because these cases are highly fact-specific, working with a lawyer who understands Indiana law can help you identify the evidence needed to support your claim. 

A Previous Bite Is Not Always Required 

You do not necessarily have to prove that a dog previously bit someone to bring a claim. Indiana dog owners are expected to use reasonable care to prevent their animals from causing foreseeable harm. 

Evidence that an owner knew—or should have known—that a dog posed a danger may include: 

• Previous aggressive behavior 
• Growling, lunging, or snapping 
• Repeated attempts to bite 
• Prior complaints or warnings 
• Earlier incidents involving people or other animals 

Witness statements, animal control records, veterinary records, and communications involving the owner may help show what was known before the attack. 

Negligence Is Often the Key to Liability 

Many Indiana dog bite claims are based on negligence. A dog owner may be responsible when they fail to take reasonable precautions, such as properly restraining the dog, responding to known aggressive behavior, or preventing the animal from roaming freely. 

A claim may also involve a violation of an Indianapolis leash or animal-control ordinance. Depending on the facts, that violation may help show that the owner failed to use reasonable care. 

Indiana Law Provides Additional Protection in Certain Cases 

Indiana Code § 15-20-1-3 provides specific protection when an unprovoked dog bites someone who is acting peaceably and is in a location where they may need to be to perform a duty required by state law, federal law, or federal postal regulations. This can include postal workers and certain other people carrying out legally required duties. In these cases, the owner may be liable even if the dog had not shown aggressive behavior before. 

Indiana Code § 15-20-1-4 also makes it a criminal offense in certain circumstances for an owner to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fail to restrain a dog that leaves the owner’s property and attacks someone without provocation. Depending on the circumstances, evidence of a restraint-law violation may also be relevant to a civil injury claim. 

Because more than one legal rule may apply, our Indianapolis dog bite lawyers review the dog’s history, how the attack happened, whether the animal was properly restrained, and any local or state laws that may affect your case. 

Indiana’s Comparative Fault Rule May Apply 

The dog owner or insurance company may argue that you provoked the dog or were otherwise partly responsible for the attack. Even if some fault is assigned to you, that does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. 

Under Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule, you may generally recover compensation as long as you are not found more than 50% responsible for the incident. Your recovery would then be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 25% responsible, you could generally recover 75% of the damages established in your claim. 

Most Indiana Dog Bite Claims Have a Two-Year Deadline 

In most cases, an Indiana lawsuit seeking compensation for dog bite injuries must be filed within two years of the attack. However, exceptions may apply, and claims involving a state or local government entity can have much earlier notice requirements. 

Waiting can also make it harder to preserve photographs, witness accounts, animal-control records, and other important evidence. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand the deadline that applies to your case and protect your right to pursue compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Indianapolis?

The dog’s owner is often the main person responsible for a bite. However, someone else may also be liable if they had control over the dog, knew about the danger, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. 

Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include: 

• A dog sitter, walker, or handler who was controlling the animal at the time 
• A kennel, boarding facility, or pet care business that failed to safely contain or supervise the dog 
• A landlord or property manager who knew about a dangerous dog and had the ability to address the risk 
• A government entity, if the attack involved a police K-9 or another government-owned animal 

Claims involving landlords, businesses, or government entities can raise additional legal questions. For example, a landlord is not automatically responsible simply because a tenant owns a dog. Liability may depend on what the landlord knew, how much control they had over the property, and whether they could have taken steps to protect others. 

If the attack happened on someone else’s property, an Indianapolis premises liability attorney can also evaluate whether unsafe property conditions or another form of negligence contributed to your injuries. Identifying every potentially responsible party may help uncover additional insurance coverage and strengthen your claim. 

What Insurance May Cover a Dog Bite Claim?

Dog bite claims are often paid through insurance rather than directly by the dog owner. The coverage available will depend on where the attack happened, who was responsible for the dog, and the terms of the applicable policies. 

Possible sources of coverage may include: 

• A homeowner’s insurance policy 
• A renter’s insurance policy 
• A business liability policy for a kennel, boarding facility, or pet care company 
• A landlord’s or property owner’s insurance policy 
• Government liability coverage when a government-owned animal is involved 

Insurance coverage is not always obvious, and more than one policy may apply. Our Indianapolis dog bite lawyers can investigate the available coverage, communicate with the insurers, and pursue compensation supported by the facts and evidence in your claim.

When Children Are Victims of Dog Attacks

Seeing your child hurt can be frightening, especially when you are trying to make quick decisions about medical care while also wondering what the injury may mean for their future. Children can be especially vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries because of their size and their proximity to a dog’s head and mouth. 

Bites to the face, head, and neck may require emergency care, surgery, follow-up treatment, and support for lasting scarring or emotional trauma.  

Dog owners should recognize the added dangers their pets pose around children, but all too often fail to do so. When an injury does occur, a personal injury claim can help secure financial resources for the child’s immediate medical needs and the challenges they may face in the years ahead. 

We understand how deeply a serious injury to your child can affect your entire family. That’s why we take the time to understand your child’s injuries, listen to your concerns, and provide the personal attention your family deserves.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Indianapolis

Your health comes first after a dog bite. The steps you take afterward can also help document what happened and preserve important evidence for a potential claim. 

1. Get to a safe place. Move away from the dog and call 911 if the injuries are severe or the bleeding cannot be controlled. 
2. Clean and cover the wound. Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and running water. If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth, then cover it with a clean bandage. 
3. Seek prompt medical attention. Even a bite that appears minor can lead to infection or require evaluation for tetanus or rabies exposure. 
4. Report the bite. Indiana requires animal bites to people to be reported to the local health department. You may also make a separate report to Indianapolis Animal Care Services so the incident can be documented and the animal can be located or evaluated when necessary. 
5. Document what happened. Take photos of your injuries, the location, and the dog if you can do so safely. Get the dog owner’s name, contact information, and insurance details, along with the names of any witnesses. 
6. Be careful when dealing with insurance companies. Avoid giving a recorded statement, accepting a settlement, or signing a release before you understand your rights and the extent of your injuries. 
7. Speak with an Indianapolis dog bite lawyer. An attorney can help preserve evidence, identify available insurance coverage, handle communications with insurers, and pursue the compensation available under Indiana law. 

You do not have to sort through the process by yourself. Our team can listen to what happened, answer your questions, and provide clear, personal guidance about what to do next.