Omaha Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Dog bites and other animal attacks can cause devastating physical and emotional injuries, including deep lacerations, infections, facial scarring, nerve damage, broken bones, and lasting psychological trauma. Even well-trained or domesticated dogs can act unpredictably, and when they do, victims are often left facing extensive medical treatment, lost income, and a difficult recovery. Many people believe there was nothing they could have done differently or are unsure whether they have the right to pursue compensation.

That’s where our Omaha dog bite attorneys come in. Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC has been representing dog bite victims in Omaha and throughout Nebraska for over 40 years. Our legal team investigates the attack, identifies the liable parties, and fights to recover compensation for our clients’ medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a dog attack? Call our Omaha dog bite lawyers today at (402) 241-5020 or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

How Our Omaha Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyers Can Help You With Your Claim

Victims of dog bites or animal attacks often require treatment for psychological problems, plastic surgery, physical therapy, and even rabies treatment.

The cost of medical bills, plastic surgery, psychological counseling for emotional damages, and lost wages can be significant. Our dog bite lawyers at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop regularly work with insurance companies to get the best results for our clients. Our team of lawyers devotes its maximum effort and time to those clients who have suffered serious injuries due to a dog or animal bite. When you choose us for your dog bite or animal attack case, we will:

• Investigate the dog attack by gathering witness statements, photographs, animal control reports, medical records, and other evidence needed to establish how the incident occurred.
• Establish the dog owner’s liability by determining whether Nebraska’s dog bite laws apply and identifying any additional parties who may share responsibility for your injuries.
• Document the full extent of your damages by working with medical professionals to calculate current and future medical expenses, lost wages, scarring, and emotional trauma.
• Handle all communication with insurance companies to protect your rights, respond to settlement offers, and pursue fair compensation without unnecessary delays.
• Represent you through settlement negotiations or trial if the responsible party refuses to accept liability or offer compensation that reflects the true value of your claim.

For more than four decades, Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC has been helping dog bite and animal attack victims throughout Omaha and Nebraska pursue justice and financial recovery. We are committed to providing compassionate legal representation, personalized guidance, and experienced advocacy so our clients can focus on healing while we focus on protecting their rights.

Why Dog Attacks Happen

While they are often referred to as “man’s best friend,” dogs are indeed animals with instincts, and if they feel threatened, they can cause tremendous harm. Nearly four and a half million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. Of those four and a half million, one-fifth of them will end up requiring medical attention to treat their injuries.

Sadly, many dog bite victims are children under the age of thirteen. These children are more likely to be bitten by a dog because they are smaller in stature and they tend to be less aware of how to act properly around unfamiliar dogs. Many people are bitten by a dog are left wondering why it happened to them. According to dog behavior experts, the majority of dog bites occur because of one or more of the following reasons:

Someone Has Threatened the Dog’s Possessions

Dogs happen to be naturally possessive. They can be protective of things such as their toys, food, beds and their owners. These tendencies are especially common in guard dog and herding breeds. It is important to teach your children to avoid invading a dog’s space while it is eating, sleeping or playing with its toys. A harmless dog can quickly turn dangerous if it feels as though someone is threatening its possessions.

The Dog is Fearful

Many dogs are fearful when they encounter situations with strangers. It’s important that you never approach an unfamiliar dog and it’s important that you teach your children to do the same. A dog can bite out of fear when it is startled, so it is important to teach your children to never sneak up on a sleeping dog.

The Dog is in Pain

Some dogs have been known to bite because they are in pain or not feeling well. Biting is common when the dog is indicating that they want to be left completely alone. If you see an unfamiliar dog that is visibly in pain, you should avoid it and teach your children to do the same.

The Dog is Playing

Dogs also tend to bite while they are playing. Even though nipping can seem harmless here and there, dogs can get carried away, and nips can break the skin. It’s advisable for people (especially children) to avoid wrestling with a dog. Although these activities can be fun, one misstep or misinterpretation by the dog could lead to a bite.

Prey

Dogs can be triggered by runners and cyclists. Chase situations often happen in neighborhoods where dogs are left unleashed or unattended in the front yard. It is important for runners and cyclists always to remain aware of their surroundings. If you ever find yourself being chased by a dog:

• Stop immediately and stand still.
• Face the dog but do not look into its eyes as this can be seen as a challenge.
• If the dog knocks you to the ground or lunges at you, curl up and protect your face and neck. Try and remain still until the dog moves on.

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack in Omaha

Nothing can adequately prepare you for being bitten by a dog. However, knowing what to do if it does happen can only benefit your well-being and also help your legal case moving forward. A dog bite can be detrimental to your health and finances if you do not take the following steps in the aftermath of your attack:

1. You need to seek medical attention for your injuries. If you are losing blood, call emergency help immediately. Your health should be your number one priority. Dog bite puncture wounds can cause infection due to the bacteria present in the dog’s mouth. Also, stitches may be required if the wounds are serious enough. You may even need cosmetic surgeries to repair any significant damage.
2. If your injuries do not prohibit you from doing so, attempt to find out which and whose animal bit you. Rabies is uncommon in most dogs nowadays, but you should always make sure that the animal in question is up to date on their vaccinations. Also, knowing what animal bit you will allow for easier determination of fault.
3. Talk to and obtain the contact information of all present witnesses.
4. Collect the contact and insurance information of the dog’s owner.
5. After seeing the doctor, be sure to follow their orders. Take the medication that you are given as directed. Be sure to tell the doctor about all of the complications you may be having due to the attack as these claims can help your case for compensation.
6. Do not discuss anything about the attack with the dog’s owner or any insurance representatives until you have first spoken with one of our experienced dog bite lawyers in Omaha.

Compensation for Omaha Dog Bite Victims

A victim of a dog bite in Nebraska is entitled to recover compensation for their injuries. Dog owners in Nebraska are liable for any and all damages to any victim of their dog except for trespassers. There is one limitation that exists in Nebraska for dog bites: if the bite was caused by accident through playfulness or mischievousness, the statute does not apply.

Nebraska follows a strict liability law governing dog bites which means that the victim of a dog bite would need to prove the following to receive compensation for their damages:

• The defendant owned the dog in question.
• The bite happened on public property or while the victim was lawfully present on the property of the owner.

No-Cost Initial Consultation with an Experienced Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

A serious dog bite can leave you coping with painful injuries, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and unexpected financial burdens. At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we are committed to protecting the rights of dog bite victims throughout Omaha and Nebraska by pursuing the full compensation they deserve.

When you contact our firm, we will listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide an honest assessment of your case. If legal action is appropriate, we will represent you at no upfront cost, collecting a fee only if we recover compensation on your behalf. For your convenience, we also offer home, hospital, and nursing home visits. There are no attorney fees unless we win.

Have you or a loved one suffered injuries in a dog attack? If you’re in Omaha or anywhere in Nebraska, contact Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call our Omaha office at (402) 241-5020 or reach out through our online contact form to discuss your case with an experienced Omaha dog bite lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Omaha Dog Bite Claims