Dog Bites & Animal Attacks in Indiana
Fishers Dog Bite Attorneys: (317) 434-1490
In many American households, a dog isn’t just a cuddly bundle of joy, but an important member of the family. However, not all dogs are friendly – especially to strangers – and are known to attack humans. Fortunately, Indiana residents can pursue compensatory damages if they’ve been injured by a domesticated animal.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, contact the Fishers dog bite lawyers at Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP. Sadly, most victims of dog bites and animal attacks are young children who can’t resist a fluffy face. These children tend to sustain both physical and psychological damage after an incident. Our legal team is here to help victims recover the compensation they need to make a full physical, emotional, and psychological recovery after any type of unexpected animal attack.
Contact Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP at (317) 434-1490 to explore your legal options.
Indiana’s One Bite Rule
Most dogs are wonderful companions and protectors that enrich our lives. However, sometimes a pup’s personality, breed, or background can make it a threat to innocent people. Pet owners have a legal obligation to train and/or confine their dogs in a manner that safeguards the pubic from deadly attacks.
At the same time, Indiana is one of the few states in the country that supports and abides by the “one bite rule.” Under this regulation, an owner is only liable if their dog displayed aggressive behaviors in the past. In this circumstance, the injured party’s legal team needs to prove that the owner knew – or should have been aware – of the animal’s propensity for violence.
A victim can circumvent the one bite rule under Indiana statute 15-20-1-3. However, this law only applies if the victim:
- Was acting peaceably when attacked
- Did not provoke the dog
- Was carrying out a legal duty imposed by state or federal law
A victim can recover both economic and non-economic damages in a successful lawsuit. These damages are meant to provide for a survivor’s medical bills, pain and suffering, ongoing rehabilitative services, and more. In certain cases, a victim can also hold a business or facility liable for their injuries.
Schedule a Consultation Today
In Indiana, a plaintiff has two years to file a personal injury claim that’s associated with an animal attack. Before this deadline runs out, contact the Fishers personal injury lawyers at Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP. Our legal team can inform you of your rights and guide you through this multifaceted process from start to finish.
Contact Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLPat (317) 434-1490 to schedule a consultation today.
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Finding a good lawyer is hard. Finding one you can actually trust is even harder. Mario is both. He was honest with me about what to expect, didn’t sugarcoat things, and stayed consistent the whole way through.- Jalen
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From the very first interaction, Danielle demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and deep expertise. She took the time to understand every nuance of our case, reviewed evidence thoroughly, and always made sure we felt heard and supported.- Alexandra
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Mario is absolutely amazing. He is responsive and always at the ready for help. I have relied on him for over two years and his advice is spot on.- Former Client
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I reached out to Tom Blessing for help with a disability discrimination case involving my son. I felt vulnerable and intimidated taking a stand against an entire school district, but having Tom by my side every step of the way was reassuring and empowering- Suzi S.
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I’m truly grateful for all the support and professionalism Danielle has shown throughout my case. She was always attentive, understanding, and went above and beyond to protect my interests.- Nancy G.
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Tom is an excellent education attorney! He guided our family through a difficult sexual harassment case involving our child and the local public school. Tom's expertise and persistence led to a positive outcome that has truly made a difference in our child- Laura
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They are very educated on what they do and go above and beyond for their clients. If you ever need, they are the team to call!- Chelsea B.
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His guidance and service was above and beyond all expectations for the given circumstances.- Logan
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I worked with Danielle Merlo on a Family Law matter in 2024. It was a complex case which Danielle handed incredibly well. I felt supported and well advised as we navigated a several month case.- Danielle M.
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They were exceedingly helpful, professional, efficient and upfront with costs. Excellent attorneys.- Jordan W.