Understanding Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws and Regulations
If you have been attacked or bitten by a dog, you must understand and exercise your rights under the law. At Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP, we have extensive experience in dog bite injury lawsuits in Wisconsin and can guide you through the legal proceedings.
Under Wisconsin Law, the owner is liable for the damages caused by their dog to a person, domestic animal, or property. If a dog bites someone forcefully enough to break the skin and result in permanent scars or disfigurement, and it is proven that the dog’s owner was aware or had been notified of the dog’s prior unprovoked attack that resulted in similar injuries, the owner is responsible for paying double the total damages incurred. In the most severe cases of dog attacks, the court may order the dog to be euthanized.
To learn more about dog bite laws, contact us. As a law firm focusing on dog bites in Eau Claire, WI, we are well-versed in the local and state laws and regulations.
The statute of limitations for initiating legal action in dog bite cases in Wisconsin is three years from the date of the attack. Dog bite attack victims need to initiate legal action within this timeframe. Otherwise, they risk losing their right to recover compensation and hold the liable party accountable for their negligence or misconduct.
Wisconsin uses a modified comparative negligence system, which means you can only get compensation for your share of fault in the incident that led to your injuries. If you are 51 percent or more at fault for the bite, then you are barred from recovering any compensation.
If there is evidence that your actions provoked the dog, you could be partially liable for the incident. Establishing liability is often a critical factor in the outcome of most personal injury cases, so you are best served by consulting with an Eau Claire dog bite lawyer.
