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Omaha Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite in Nebraska, an Advocate can help you recover.

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Your Case

If you or a family member has been injured by a dog, even if the dog belongs to someone you know, it is time to contact an attorney. Dog bites can cause serious injuries and illnesses, sometimes requiring extensive medical care.
The Advocates’ Omaha dog bite attorneys can help. If a dog attack left you with physical injuries and medical bills, you deserve to be compensated fairly for your damages.

We represent injury victims in Omaha, Lincoln, and all over the state of Nebraska. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Nebraska Dog Bite Case

Injury

Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.
Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

We only get paid if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

What Should I Do After an Animal Attack in Omaha?

Get to safety and evaluate your injuries

If the dog is running at large with no owner in sight, back away slowly from the dog. Do not run or turn your back on the animal. If possible, get on top of something like a car or wall, and then call for help.
If the owner has control of the dog, back away so the dog can no longer reach you.
Take a look at your injuries to determine whether you need immediate medical attention in an emergency room or urgent care facility. If you are bleeding uncontrollably, have muscle or tendon damage, or can see bone, seek emergency medical care right away. 
Take photos of your injuries as soon as you can and throughout your recovery, especially if additional symptoms appear later on.

Exchange information with the dog owner 

If the owner is on the scene, take down their name, phone number, address, and homeowner’s insurance information. Get the dog’s name, breed, and details about its appearance. You should also ask if the dog is up-to-date on its vaccinations, but do not just take the owner’s word for it.
If there is no owner in sight, remember as much as you can about the dog’s appearance and the location where the bite occurred. Animal control may be able to identify the dog’s owner using your description.

father and daughter have conversation on city street
Female Patient Being Reassured By Doctor In Hospital Room

Seek medical attention

Clean and dress the wound as soon as possible after the bite. The sooner you can get the bite area under warm, soapy water, the better your chances of avoiding infection. Wash the wound for at least five minutes. Dry the bite area, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a clean cloth or bandage.
Consider seeing a medical professional, especially if you are unfamiliar with the dog. Your doctor may recommend certain shots to prevent the transmission of disease. If the wound is severe, they may recommend stitches or other care.
Keep track of all treatment you receive. If you choose to file a personal injury claim, you will need evidence of treatment.

Report the bite to animal control

Some dog bite victims hesitate to report their injury, especially if they know the dog owner. Reporting the attack, however, is a crucial step in your own recovery and in preventing further bites to other people.
In Omaha, animal control services are handled by the Nebraska Humane Society. If your bite occurred in another city, those services may be provided by the police department or another government agency.

German Shepherd attacking dog handler during aggression training.

Consider contacting a personal injury attorney

If your dog bite injury required medical treatment, caused you to miss work, or has resulted in lasting pain and trauma, it is a good idea to speak with a dog bite attorney to discuss your legal rights.
The Omaha Advocates offer free consultations to discuss your potential case. We will listen to your story, consider the factual circumstances surrounding your injury, and help you understand your options.

Omaha Dog Bite Laws and FAQs

What are the most common dog bite injuries?

Dog bite injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common injuries dog attack injuries include:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Broken bones
  • Eye and face injuries
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Bruising and lacerations
  • Muscle, tendon, and nerve damage

What are common causes of dog bites?

Any dog has the capability to bite or attack unexpectedly, but certain situations present a much higher risk than others. Dog bites are most likely to happen when:

  • A dog is approached by a stranger: Dog bites often happen when a dog is frightened or feels cornered. Always get owner permission before approaching a dog you do not know
  • A human breaks up a dog fight: You may be seriously hurt in an attempt to break up a fight between two or more dogs. There are safe ways to break up a fight without putting yourself at risk
  • Aggressive dogs are unsupervised or unrestrained: In many places, dogs are required to be on leash. Even in designated off-leash areas, all dogs should be under close supervision of their owners
  • Dogs are not properly trained and socialized: Dogs who have not been properly socialized may resort to barking, lunging, or biting in order to get out of stressful situations

Do dogs have to be on leash in public spaces?

Omaha requires all dogs to be on a leash or confined in a yard at all times. If your dog is not microchipped, it must have a collar and tags.
Owners must clean up after their dogs in public spaces

How many dogs is one pet owner allowed to have at one time?

One household may not have more than three dogs in the city of Omaha. Some owners may be permitted to have up to five dogs by applying for a pet avocation permit.

Are vaccinations required for dogs in Omaha?

All dogs and cats must have up-to-date rabies vaccinations. Once they receive their initial round of vaccines, they must be revaccinated every three years.
If you are bitten by an unvaccinated dog or by a dog whose vaccination status is unknown, your doctor may recommend that you receive a tetanus shot and post-exposure rabies treatment.

Are dog bites covered by insurance?

In most cases, dog bites are covered by the dog owner’s rental or homeowner’s insurance policy. Insurance companies should pay for bite victims’ medical expenses up to the liability limit. After the limit has been reached, the owner of the dog is responsible for additional damages.

woman walks a black dog toward a trainer

When is a dog owner responsible for a dog bite?

Nebraska observes strict liability when it comes to dog bites, under Nebraska Revised Statute 54-601.
This statute states that dog owners are liable for their dog biting any person other than a trespasser on their private property. 
The dog bite statute also covers property damage or other injuries caused by a dog. You generally will not have to prove negligence in order to recover damages, but you will need to be able to show that the dog caused your injuries and that you were not trespassing.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites?

For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally 4 years. There are several factors that may impact this time limit, however, so it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine exactly how much time you have.

When Should I Hire an Omaha Dog Bite Attorney?

The aftermath of a dog bite is often a difficult time for victims. You may be facing economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, in addition to non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It may feel like your life will never return to normal.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates are committed to helping you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Our team is standing by to take care of your dog bite claim so you can focus on feeling better. We can help you keep track of medical records, access the care you need, and get the compensation you deserve.
Our goal is to be your voice in the personal injury process. Contact The Omaha Advocates personal injury law firm today for a free consultation. You deserve compassionate, skilled legal representation for your injury claim. You deserve an Advocate.

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