Animal Bites

Animals can make wonderful companions. Dogs and other pets, however, occasionally bite, jump on, trip, and knock over people, causing serious disfigurement, broken bones, and other injuries. Wisconsin law requires animal owners to be aware of their animal's natural traits and habits and to make sure other people are fully protected from any potential dangerous behavior by them. If the owner of an animal doesn't keep the animal under control, and it injures you, you may be entitled to compensation.

Under Wisconsin law, when you've been injured by someone else's animal, you may be entitled to be paid for:

• Past and future medical bills for treatment of your injuries (including counseling, if necessary as a result of the attack).
• Out of pocket expenses related to the injury including prescriptions, co-pays, deductibles, over-the-counter medications like Advil® or Tylenol®, braces, hot or cold packs, etc.
• Your mileage to and from your health care appointments.
• Your lost wages (both past lost wages and wages you will lose in the future because of disabilities or the need to seek medical care).
• Your past and future pain and suffering, disability, and/or disfigurement.

In addition, if you were injured by a dog, and the dog had previously injured anyone or anything, you are entitled to have your compensation doubled.