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Mobile Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Mobile Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Bitten by a dog in Mobile, AL? You may be eligible for financial compensation. Speak to a lawyer at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today to find out if you have a case.

$650M+

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40+

YeArs Experience

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Mobile Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Mobile Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Bitten by a dog in Mobile, AL? You may be eligible for financial compensation. Speak to a lawyer at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today to find out if you have a case.

$650M+

Recovered

40+

YeArs Experience

We Win

or You Don’t Owe Us a Dime

REQUEST A FREE

CASE EVALUATION
First Name
Last Name
🔒 100% confidential. No obligation.
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Best Lawyers In America
National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Martindale Hubbell AV Rated
Super Lawyers
Avvo Rating 10.0
BBB A+ Rating
Alabama State Bar
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Best Lawyers In America
National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Martindale Hubbell AV Rated
Super Lawyers
Avvo Rating 10.0
BBB A+ Rating
Alabama State Bar

Are There Deadlines for Filing Dog Bite Injury Claims in Alabama?

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years from the incident date. If the two-year period expires before you file a lawsuit, you usually cannot pursue compensation for your injuries or other related damages.

However, there may be exceptions to this law if the case involves minors. The two-year period usually starts when the minor turns 19.

We highly recommend speaking to a Mobile dog bite lawyer if you have any concerns or questions about the statute of limitations.

Do I Have a Case if I Was Bitten While Visiting a Friend?

Yes, you may have a case if you were bitten by a friend or family member’s dog. Alabama law holds dog owners liable if their dog bites someone who is lawfully on their property, including family members and friends.

We understand that you may be hesitant to file a claim with a family member or friend. However, these claims are usually with the dog owner’s insurance company. That means your lawyer would be dealing with them and not your friend or family member.

How do I Know If I Have a Valid Dog Bite Case in Alabama?

Dog bite cases can be complicated, so you should review your situation with an experienced lawyer to determine if there may be a case.

If your claim meets the following criteria, you may have a case and we recommend you discuss it with an attorney from our Mobile office as soon as possible:

The bite occurred on the owner’s property or because the dog was chasing you in the vicinity of the owner’s property.

The owner was negligent, either through knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior or failure to properly secure the dog, in violation of city or county statute.

You suffered damages from the bite, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today to review what happened and your potential path forward.

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

Documented instances where the dog attacked or bit another person or animal.

Witnesses’ observations of the dog’s aggressive behavior, such as growling, snarling, chasing or knocking people down.

Documentation showing the dog’s need for sedation during treatment or any other indication of aggressive tendencies.

Evidence that the dog was specifically trained to exhibit aggressive or protective behaviors may highlight the risk of encountering the dog.

How do I Know If I Have a Valid Dog Bite Case in Alabama?

Dog bite cases can be complicated, so you should review your situation with an experienced lawyer to determine if there may be a case.

If your claim meets the following criteria, you may have a case and we recommend you discuss it with an attorney from our Mobile office as soon as possible:

God is attacking

The bite occurred on the owner’s property or because the dog was chasing you in the vicinity of the owner’s property.

The owner was negligent, either through knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior or failure to properly secure the dog, in violation of city or county statute.

You suffered damages from the bite, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today to review what happened and your potential path forward.

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

Documented instances where the dog attacked or bit another person or animal.

Witnesses’ observations of the dog’s aggressive behavior, such as growling, snarling, chasing or knocking people down.

Documentation showing the dog’s need for sedation during treatment or any other indication of aggressive tendencies.

Evidence that the dog was specifically trained to exhibit aggressive or protective behaviors may highlight the risk of encountering the dog.

What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?

If a dog has attacked you, there are some important steps you should take for your health and your legal rights:

Visit a Doctor

Seek medical attention immediately to get a diagnosis for your injuries. Even if they seem minor, your injuries could become infected or you could develop symptoms of a more severe condition over time.

Find Out More About the Dog

Determine if the dog that bit you has vaccinations for rabies. Also, find out if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. Ask if the dog has attacked others in the past. The owner may not provide this information, but your attorney may be able to investigate.

Report the Dog Bite

File a report with a local animal control center or police department. Note the time you called and the name of the person you spoke to about the attack.

Hiring an attorney without personal injury trial experience

Insurance companies know which attorneys take cases to trial and which ones settle early for low amounts. Hiring a dedicated personal injury attorney with decades of courtroom experience and a record of large verdicts can make a significant difference in your outcome. Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys has never been afraid to go to trial — and insurance companies know it.

Posting on social media

Anything you post publicly — even a photo of you at a family dinner — can be used by the defense to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed. Avoid posting about the accident, your injuries, or your activities on any platform until your case is fully resolved.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Alabama?

The value of your case largely depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, the impact on your quality of life and the financial loss you have incurred.

If you were injured by a dog in the Mobile area, you may be able to seek compensation for these types of damages:

Medical Expenses

You can claim your medical expenses for treatment of your dog bite injuries, which may include:

Emergency medical treatment, including ambulance fees

Hospital stays for surgery, observation and recovery

Rehabilitative services could include physical therapy or occupational therapy required to regain lost mobility or function

Medication for pain management or to prevent an infection from the bite

Ongoing care includes long-term treatments or nursing care that may be necessary for severe injuries

Emergency medical treatment, including ambulance fees

Hospital stays for surgery, observation and recovery

Rehabilitative services could include physical therapy or occupational therapy required to regain lost mobility or function

Medication for pain management or to prevent an infection from the bite

Ongoing care includes long-term treatments or nursing care that may be necessary for severe injuries

Dog bite injuries can be life changing for victims and their families. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have the experience and knowledge to successfully litigate these types of cases. To find out if you have a case, it’s free to talk to a lawyer at our firm and should we handle your case, there are no up front fees while we work on your case. We keep you informed of the progress of your case and work to recover the maximum amount of financial compensation available.

With more than 100 years of combined experience, our law firm has been fighting for injured Mobile, AL residents for decades – having recovered more than $600 million in financial compensation on their behalf. Our founder and CEO Andy Citrin has been recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers in Alabama and our legal team are ready to help you today.

Can I Receive Compensation for a Dog Bite if I Was Trespassing?

If you were trespassing when bitten by a dog, you might not be eligible for compensation, as trespassing can provoke the dog. However, each case is different. For example, if you were on the property for work, the circumstances will be considered to determine eligibility for compensation.

What Kinds of Injuries Can Dogs Cause When They Bite?

A dog bite incident could lead to a wide range of potential injuries:

Lacerations and Abrasions

The dog’s teeth can easily break the skin and cause severe cuts or lacerations. Victims may roll around on the grass, sidewalk or pavement, which could cause skin abrasions. Some cuts and scrapes might appear minor but there is a risk of an infection, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds can provide a pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Children, due to their smaller body size and weaker immune systems, may face severe infections from these injuries.

Emotional Trauma

The psychological impact of a dog bite can be the same as the effects of physical injuries, especially for children who may develop a lasting fear of dogs or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Rabies and Other Infections

Although rare, dog bites can transmit rabies. If infected, individuals with compromised immune systems face more severe outcomes.

Nerve Damage

Bites can cause temporary or permanent damage to nerves, leading to loss of sensation or motor function. For the elderly, this may compound existing mobility challenges, severely impacting their independence.

Broken Bones or Dislocations

If a large dog gets ahold of an arm or leg, it could pull hard enough to dislocate or even break a bone. The break could also cause damage to the surrounding soft tissues. If you suffered any of these injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages. Call our Mobile dog bite lawyers today to learn more.

Pain and Suffering

Generally, you cannot recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering unless the dog was dangerous or the owner had knowledge of the dog’s propensity for vicious, dangerous or mischievous behavior.

Pain and suffering can include:

After a dog atack

Physical pain

Compensation for the immediate and ongoing physical pain resulting from your injuries

Emotional distress

This refers to the psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, PTSD or loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of companionship or consortium

If your injuries affect your relationships with your spouse or family, you may claim compensation for these effects.

Our experienced attorneys are committed to seeking full compensation for your damages. We often consult medical experts and other relevant experts to evaluate a claim and determine all the ways the victim has been affected. We may also review insurance policies that may include renters insurance if the incident has taken place on the property of another person. We want you to have all the compensation you need to move forward after this incident.

Pain and Suffering

Generally, you cannot recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering unless the dog was dangerous or the owner had knowledge of the dog’s propensity for vicious, dangerous or mischievous behavior.

Pain and suffering can include:

Physical pain

Compensation for the immediate and ongoing physical pain resulting from your injuries

Emotional distress

This refers to the psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, PTSD or loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of companionship or consortium

If your injuries affect your relationships with your spouse or family, you may claim compensation for these effects.

Our experienced attorneys are committed to seeking full compensation for your damages. We often consult medical experts and other relevant experts to evaluate a claim and determine all the ways the victim has been affected. We may also review insurance policies that may include renters insurance if the incident has taken place on the property of another person. We want you to have all the compensation you need to move forward after this incident.

Contact Our Mobile Dog Bite Lawyers Today

Our Mobile office is located about 15 minutes from the Mobile County District Courthouse.

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

Alabama dog bite laws are quite complex, which is why victims should not assume there is no case until they talk to a licensed Mobile dog bite lawyer.

The ‘Mailman Rule’

The “Mailman Rule” is an Alabama law that states that a dog owner may be liable if their dog bites or injures someone who is on their property. This includes individuals like mail carriers, utility workers or anyone else with a legal reason to be on the property. Dog owners can also be held liable if their dog bites someone while chasing them in the vicinity of the property.

One-Bite Rule

Dog owners can be held liable for bites if they had prior knowledge of the animal’s vicious or dangerous behavior. For example, owners have prior knowledge if their dogs’ violent tendencies if they have been legally classified as dangerous. In other words, keeping a dangerous dog can be considered negligence. There would be no need for the victim to prove the owner did something else that created an unreasonable risk of a dog attack.

What Are Alabama’s Laws on Dog Bites?

Alabama dog bite laws are quite complex, which is why victims should not assume there is no case until they talk to a licensed Mobile dog bite lawyer.

The ‘Mailman Rule’

The “Mailman Rule” is an Alabama law that states that a dog owner may be liable if their dog bites or injures someone who is on their property. This includes individuals like mail carriers, utility workers or anyone else with a legal reason to be on the property. Dog owners can also be held liable if their dog bites someone while chasing them in the vicinity of the property.

One-Bite Rule

Dog owners can be held liable for bites if they had prior knowledge of the animal’s vicious or dangerous behavior. For example, owners have prior knowledge if their dogs’ violent tendencies if they have been legally classified as dangerous. In other words, keeping a dangerous dog can be considered negligence. There would be no need for the victim to prove the owner did something else that created an unreasonable risk of a dog attack.

Lost Wages and/or Earning Capacity

This may include:

What is the Definition of a Dangerous Dog in Alabama?

Alabama classifies a dog as dangerous based on its behavior, not breed. In this state, a dangerous dog is one that has:

Lost wages during your hospitalization or immediate recovery when you are unable to work or restricted from working

Future earnings may be claimed if your injuries result in an inability to return to work, either temporarily or permanently

Loss of earning capacity if you cannot earn at the same capacity as before the accident

Bitten, attacked or caused physical injury, serious injury or death to a person without provocation or justification

Lost Wages and/or Earning Capacity

This may include:

What is the Definition of a Dangerous Dog in Alabama?

Alabama classifies a dog as dangerous based on its behavior, not breed. In this state, a dangerous dog is one that has:

Lost wages during your hospitalization or immediate recovery when you are unable to work or restricted from working

Future earnings may be claimed if your injuries result in an inability to return to work, either temporarily or permanently

Loss of earning capacity if you cannot earn at the same capacity as before the accident

Bitten, attacked or caused physical injury, serious injury or death to a person without provocation or justification

Client stories

What Our Clients Say About Us

Discover firsthand accounts of our commitment to excellence through our client testimonials, showcasing our dedication to achieving favorable outcomes.
The staff at Citrins Law Office in Daphne fought for me and won. My settlement was 10 times what I thought it would be. Thank you for all your hard work.

Tricia R.

Mobile Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

Come see us

Our offices — ready to serve you

We have offices across Mobile, Daphne, and the Gulf Coast. Can’t make it in? We’ll come to you — at home, the hospital, or wherever you are. All consultations are free.

Neighborhoods and Areas We Serve

Alderbrook

Beau Terra

Berkleigh

Blakeley

 Bromley

Chickasaw

Cottage Park

Crestview

Di Grado

Happy Hill 

Lourdes

 Malibar Heights

Millers Creek

 Maryvale 

Mobile

Mooncrest

Navco 

Alderbrook

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