Americans love their dogs. There are more than 78 million dogs living as pets in U.S. households, an increase of more than 20 million just in the past two decades. They are trusted companions, living in our homes, playing with our children, sharing parks and other spaces in our communities.
But we all know that dogs even family pets can bite people. That is a terrifying experience to go through, and dog bites can inflict long-lasting physical and emotional damage.
Roughly 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in America, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA). Many of these result in serious injury, and in some cases the injury can be fatal. At particularly high risk are children.
Dog bites often occur when owners neglect or abuse their animals, when they fail to control them properly, or when they are not leashed or kept in an enclosed area. Dog owners are ultimately responsible for the actions of their animals. Our dog bite injury attorneys have the skills, experience, and toughness to ensure that you are compensated fully for your injuries and other damages.
For the best results, go to the best Maine dog bite injury lawyers
We have obtained several of the largest jury verdicts in Maine history, and many of the largest settlements for our clients. Our attorneys are extremely knowledgeable about medical issues and skilled at proving fault, documenting the extent of your losses, and ensuring you receive full compensation. We have recovered $1 billion for our injured clients.
We are also the leading law firm in Maine for representing families who have lost loved ones because of wrongful death. In cases of wrongful death involving a dog attack, we will not rest until we win your case and the dog owners are held accountable.
You focus on recovery. We take care of the rest.
After a dog bite injury, your attention is pulled away from the one place where it should be on your health and recovery. Instead, you face the pressure of creditors, employers, and insurance companies that often try to place the blame on you, the victim.
We can turn the tables in your favor. While our lawyers aggressively work to maximize your financial award, our caring and responsive staff can help reduce stress during your recovery. We take the time to listen to you, understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved.
With us in your corner, you can focus on your health, and get back to living your life.
Dog Bite Injury Tips and Tools: What do I do after a dog attack in Maine?
The most important thing to do after a dog attack is to make sure you and any other individuals harmed by the dog seek medical attention. As soon as possible after you receive medical care, taking the following steps can help support your claim in the event that you need to file a personal injury lawsuit:
- Alert local police and/or animal control
- Obtain contact information for any witnesses
- Identify the dog and the animal’s owner if possible
- Take photos and/or video of your injuries and, if possible, the location where the incident occurred
- Do not give statements to the owner or caretaker of the animal or talk to their insurance company without first consulting with an attorney
A Law Firm That Listens
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S., having won many of the largest jury verdicts and settlements ever obtained for injured people in Maine.
Our trial lawyers have won thousands of claims on behalf of those injured in a car accident, and each year we build on that successful track record.
Our attorneys and staff members will take the time to listen to you, work to understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We help you recover and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries and loss.
Know Your Rights.
Get Peace of Mind
It never hurts to consult an attorney regardless of whether you decide to move forward.
Many states have strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims.
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The other insurance company is likely already building their client’s case against you.
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Witnesses may become unavailable and evidence may be lost or degraded with time.
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You’ll need help navigating your medical care and dealing with financial pressures.
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You need peace of mind to focus on your recovery.
$8.5 Million
Paralysis due to mismanagement of
degenerative spine
$2.5 Million
Catastrophic injuries in a head-on car accident
$800,000
Wrongful death case involving negligent
motorist
$715,000
Plaintiff Rear Ended by
Telephone Truck
$5 Million
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
$1.2 Million
Significant Head Injury Car Accident
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What do I prepare for the first call or meeting with you?
For your first meeting with us, simply tell us your story and explain in your own words what happened and how your life has been affected. If you’re meeting with us in person, you can bring notes about what happened to you, driver insurance information, names of any witnesses, photos of the accident damages or injuries, medical records, and other related paperwork if you have it and if it’s applicable, but that information isn’t necessary. Really all you need to do is be yourself, speak with us honestly, and be willing to tackle your problems with us.
Initial conversations between potential clients and our staff members are often done over the phone. Rest assured that everything we discuss is confidential and protected under law.
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How much will a lawyer cost me?
The lawyers at Berman & Simmons work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing up front and nothing unless we settle or win your case. We will consult with you, evaluate your situation, and do initial research free of charge. This is true even if we decide you don’t have a valid claim. We will also cover all necessary case expenses and you will not be obligated to reimburse us until and unless we recover monies on your behalf. if we do take your case and win a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor, a percentage of the compensation goes to pay for our costs and the work done by our legal team.
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How will I know if I have a case?
To pursue a case, we will need to prove that you suffered a substantial personal injury and the injury was directly caused by the negligence of another party. A bad result alone is not enough to establish negligence. We let you know upfront if we are able to move forward with the legal process, or if we don’t think you have a case. Generally, we will know if you have a case after our first phone call or meeting.
If we believe you have a valid claim and decide to move forward with litigation, our attorneys and staff will then take it from there and do everything else that needs to be done, including obtaining and reviewing records relevant to your case, such as accident reports and other law enforcement documents, employer records, medical records, and other information.
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
Every case is different, and there is no way to predict how long it will take for your case to be resolved. Some cases end in a matter of months, while the most complex and challenging cases, such as a medical malpractice case, can span several years. The vast majority of cases, however, are resolved before a trial and usually within a year.
The goal is to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, no matter how long it takes whether that comes in the form of a pre-trial settlement, or with a jury verdict in your favor.
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that need to be considered when determining the value of your case. Every case is unique and it takes a team effort — including your attorney, staff researchers, and outside experts — to determine the extent of your damages and how much your case is worth. There are two types of damages for which you could receive
compensation: Economic and non-economic.If your case goes to trial and a jury agrees you deserve compensation, the jury members will decide how much the money you should receive for each category of damages.