Rhode Island Injury Lawyer Representing Victims of Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Ray Pacia's Pawtucket personal injury law firm has represented many people injured by dog bites and animal attacks in Rhode Island. Sadly, children are often the victims in these cases, with many suffering disfigurement, scarring and emotional trauma at a young age. Some even lose their lives. Our office works tirelessly to help families obtain fair compensation in these devastating circumstances, exploring every option for maximum recovery.
Holding Irresponsible Dog Owners Liable for Injuries Caused by Their Animals
In most cases, dog bites are not caused by bad dogs but by irresponsible dog owners. Humane societies have found that dogs who have not been properly socialized, who are not supervised or safely confined, who have not been spayed or neutered, or who receive little attention are the most likely to bite a person. Dog owners may also create aggressive and fearful dogs by playing attack games with the animal, or by encouraging biting behavior, such as baring teeth or snatching food or toys from the dog.
Fortunately for people who have sustained a dog bite, Rhode Island law is favorable to victims of animal attacks. It covers bites and other injuries, and applies not only to the dog owner but also to any person who harbors or keeps the dog. Furthermore, because Rhode Island has a strict liability statute, it is irrelevant whether the dog owner should have known the dog would attack, or should have taken precautions to prevent the attack. Rather, a victim only needs to prove that he or she was injured by the dog while lawfully on the premises.
The law office of Ray Pacia has successfully handled dog bite personal injury cases in Pawtucket and throughout Rhode Island, understanding when legal action is appropriate and necessary to assert our clients' rights. We have specific experience representing children in these cases.
Protect Your Rights after Suffering a Dog Bite
After suffering a dog bite, you need to take certain steps to protect your legal rights, or the rights of your child or loved one. First of all, identify the dog, with the dog license information if possible, and get the dog owner's name, address and insurance information. Take photos of the bite marks, as well as bruises, bloody or torn clothing, and any other evidence of the attack. Also, get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any potential witnesses.
Next, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney experienced with handling dog bite cases as soon as possible. Working with fresh facts and evidence greatly increases your chances of building a successful claim.
Contact Experienced an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Rhode Island
If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, contact the Pawtucket office of Ray Pacia today for a free initial consultation and interview. We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we recover on your behalf.