Dog Bite Lawyer in West Haven

Connecticut’s Dog Bite Statute: What It Covers

Connecticut General Statutes section 22-357 imposes strict liability on dog owners and keepers for injuries their dogs cause to a person’s body or property. Strict liability means you don’t have to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. The bite itself is enough to establish liability in most cases.

The statute does include limited exceptions. An owner won’t be liable if the injured person was trespassing, committing a tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog at the time of the attack. One important protection applies to young children: if the victim was under seven years old, the law presumes they weren’t trespassing or provoking the dog, and the burden shifts to the owner to prove otherwise.

Injuries & Damages in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bites range from puncture wounds to severe tissue injuries, and the consequences aren’t always immediate. Infections can develop days after an attack. Nerve damage may produce lasting numbness, weakness, or chronic pain. Scarring, particularly on the face or hands, can require reconstructive procedures and carries its own emotional weight.

Victims can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Where scarring or disfigurement is significant, the value of the claim often extends well beyond initial treatment costs. We document all of these losses thoroughly from the start.

Filing Deadlines for West Haven Dog Bite Claims

Connecticut imposes different deadlines depending on the legal theory. Claims brought directly under the dog bite statute are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations under Connecticut General Statutes section 52-577. If your claim involves negligence by someone other than the dog’s owner, such as a landlord who allowed a dangerous dog on the property, the deadline shortens to two years under section 52-584.

West Haven falls within the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, with cases heard at the Milford courthouse. Missing the applicable deadline means losing the right to recover, no matter how strong the underlying claim is. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time we have to build your case properly.