A dog may be man’s best friend, but it can also be a vicious animal that can cause severe-sometimes fatal-injuries. A dog bite can cause serious infections, permanent scars, and emotional trauma that can last a lifetime.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association:

• An estimated 4.7 million Americans will be bitten this year.
• The primary dog bite victims are children and the elderly.
• As many as 800,000 people annually require medical treatment for dog bites.
• About 12 people each year die from dog attacks.

Anyone that is bitten by an animal is strongly advised to seek medical assistance as a matter of urgency. In addition to your pain and suffering, you never know whether the animal that bit you might have some sort of disease which could be passed on to you through a bite. An animal bite could also cause serious infections and could even prove fatal. Your first call following an animal bite should be your doctor or your local emergency department.

If you or a family member has been bitten or mauled by a dog, please contact a dog bite injury lawyer at Hornsby, Watson, Hornsby & Heyward in Huntsville, Alabama. We represent dog bite victims and those injured in other animal attacks in personal injury lawsuits. If your doctor has provided you with information following his evaluation of your injury, you should have this ready when you talk to one of our attorneys.

In Alabama, dog owners are liable for damages their dogs cause to victims who are bitten when they were lawfully on the dog owner’s property or chased from the owner’s property and then bitten. Dog owners and handlers are also liable if they are negligent or if they know the dog has a dangerous habit and that habit caused the injury.

Though a dog bite case may seem simple and straightforward, they can be complex. That’s why you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with the legal hurdles involved. To discuss the specifics of your case, please contact an attorney at Hornsby, Watson, Hornsby & Heyward in Huntsville, for a free consultation and case evaluation.

From offices in Huntsville, Alabama, the attorneys of Hornsby, Watson, Hornsby & Heyward represent clients in the communities of Athens, Decatur, Guntersville, and throughout the state.