Dog owners in Connecticut have the legal responsibility of preventing others from being bitten by their dogs. Generally, the owner will be held responsible for the victim’s injuries after a dog attack. Every experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Norwich, CT has witnessed firsthand the personal suffering that dog bites can cause.
The Statute of Limitations
In most cases, there is a two-year limit in Connecticut law for filing a lawsuit related to dog bites, beginning on the date of the injury. In very limited circumstances, other factors could extend this time, but don’t count on it. If you havehere is any questions, consult a dog bite attorney before this two-year limit expires.
Connecticut’s Strict Dog Bite Statute
In Connecticut, there is a “strict liability” for dog owners under the law (Connecticut General Statutes section 22-357). Dogs are not allowed “one free bite” before their owners can be held liable. If their dog bites or otherwise injures someone, the owner is almost always held legally responsible. It doesn’t matter if the owner believed the dog was friendly and the animal had never bitten anyone before.
Connecticut law states that the dog’s owner is liable if:
• The dog injures either another person or their property. An injury does not only have to be a bite, the dog could also knock someone to the ground and injure them.
someone to the ground
• The person who was injured was not trespassing. Someone with a legal right to be on the property, such as the mailman, is not considered a trespasser.
• The dog was not being teased, tormented or abused. This does not apply to very young children who must always be protected from being injured by a dog.
Any dog is capable of biting under the right conditions but, in practical terms, a chihuahua is not going to inflict the same degree of damage as a pit bull. While all dog owners are held to the same legal standard, owners of larger dogs must be especially careful to ensure that they are properly trained and controlled.
Stephen M. Reck is an experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Norwich, CT. If you’ve been victim of a dog attack, he will fight to defend your rights so that you receive the compensation you are due. Visit our website to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your options.
