Dog Bite in Wisconsin? Report it Before the Statute of Limitations Runs Out
A dog bite qualifies under personal injury law in Wisconsin. That means you can file a lawsuit against the dog owner to obtain compensation for your injury. One important fact to keep in mind: the statute of limitations. You have a limited period of time in which to file the lawsuit or you will miss your chance to file a suit and collect damages.
The Statute of Limitations in Dog Bite Injury Cases
Wisconsin has a 3-year statute of limitations on dog bite injuries. That means that you have 3 years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will be unable to ever file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injuries. There are exceptions to the 3-year limit if the one bitten was a minor. In that case, the statute of limitations ends two years after their 18th birthday.
Even though there is a 3-year statute of limitations on filing a claim, that limit does not apply to resolving the claim. Once filed within the appropriate timeframe, cases do not have a limit on how long they can be litigated. Some cases are solved quickly while others can take years to go through the legal system. However, as long as the suit was filed within the 3-year deadline, it can proceed no matter how long it takes to reach a resolution.
Take Action Soon After a Bite
There’s no need to wait until the 3-year mark approaches to take action after a dog bite. Even if you don’t think you want to pursue a personal injury claim, you should still report the incident. This will help build your case if you do decide to pursue a claim in the future. But it will also alert animal control to the fact that there is a dog that bites in the area and they can verify whether or not the dog is current on their shots, including rabies.
If you have suffered a serious injury, call 911 to receive prompt medical attention, then follow up with your doctor for a more comprehensive exam. This is particularly important if you do not have proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination status or if the wound becomes infected or isn’t healing as expected.
Meet with a Wisconsin Dog Bite Attorney at Eisenberg Law Offices
The State of Wisconsin holds dog owners strictly liable for any bites or injuries that their dogs inflict on others. Our personal injury attorneys will help you collect evidence and build a case to prove that you are entitled to compensation as a result of the dog’s attack. If insurance companies are involved, we will represent you to them and negotiate to ensure you receive a fair and accurate settlement.
Contact the Wisconsin personal injury attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices by calling 608-256-8356 or emailing info@eisenberglaw.org to arrange a free consultation.