We Fight For Your Rights

Get An Experienced Milwaukee Dog Bites Lawyer

Last updated on January 16, 2025

Dog bites can be severe and even deadly. A dog attack also takes an emotional toll on victims and their families, which can last a lifetime. If a dog recently bit or attacked you or a loved one, the experienced Milwaukee dog bite lawyers of Lindner Law, LLC, will protect your rights. For over 45 years, we have fought for compensation for dog bite victims throughout Wisconsin. We are ready to work for you and handle every aspect of your case.

Determining Liability Is Not Always Easy

While it may seem like a dog bite case is easy to resolve, that’s not necessarily true. Insurance companies may make a settlement offer for far less than you need to cover the medical expenses, lost wages and other costs you encounter. Also, Wisconsin state law for dog bite cases is complex. For example, victims may get double damages under the law if the offending dog previously bit someone else.

At Lindner Law, LLC, our Milwaukee dog bite attorneys know how and where to obtain government agency records to uncover prior dog bites. We also have the resources to investigate every aspect of your case, including:

Determinations as to whether there was proper restraint of the dog
Determining where the bite occurred and the severity of the injuries
The degree of the owner’s or keeper’s negligence
Refuting insurance company arguments that you were somehow at fault for the dog biting you

We will identify and collect all evidence supporting your claim and challenge any defenses that the dog owner or keeper tries to argue. For instance, we will know how to respond if the dog owner claims that you trespassed at the time of the attack or provoked the dog. We will always aggressively stand up for you.

Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws

In Wisconsin, the owner is strictly liable for the full damages caused by the dog, subject to the defense of comparative negligence. However, Wisconsin law also recognizes that children under the age of seven cannot be guilty of negligence. It is not a defense, even if the dog was teased or provoked by those young children.

Wisconsin law states that if the owner knows that the animal attacked or injured a person or property in a previous incident, the owner is liable for two times the full damages. What many people do not know is that even if the dog injures another dog in a fight, the owner could be liable for double damages in subsequent incidents if he or she were notified.

Furthermore, the law provides statutory penalties of up to $500 if the owner had no prior notice of the dog causing previous injury and up to $1,000 if the owner had notice. Dog owners need to be vigilant in avoiding the harm they can inflict, especially to children. Families need to understand that the family pet can cause serious harm.

Owners Can Be Liable

Wisconsin has strict liability laws regarding dog bites. Under Wisconsin Statutes Section 174.02, dog owners are liable if their dog bites a person, domestic animal or livestock.

That means the owner is responsible for any damages caused by their dog, regardless of the dog’s previous behavior or the owner’s knowledge of its aggression. Provisions of Wisconsin dog bite law include:

Strict liability: Owners are automatically liable for the first bite and any subsequent bites. This detail differs from states with a “one bite rule,” where owners might not be liable for the first incident.
Double damages: If the dog has bitten someone before, the owner can be liable for double the financial damages.
Negligence: In addition to strict liability, dog owners can be liable under general negligence principles if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent the bite.

Navigating these cases can be complex, but working with a Milwaukee dog bite lawyer can clarify your legal standing and maximize your options.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog-bite facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Dogs bite 4.5 million people each year.
Almost one in five people bitten – 885,000 – required medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.
In 2006, over 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites.

A dog bite injury can range from mild to catastrophic. Doctors can address some dog bite wounds with minimal medical care. In the worst cases, victims can suffer horrific injuries that include:

Disfigurement, scarring and internal organ damage
Punctures and infections
Tendon, ligament and nerve damage
Eye injuries
Emotional distress

Dog bites can be traumatic for everyone involved. A large percentage of dog bite cases involve children, parents or family members who witnessed the attack. Our legal team will consider all aspects of your case and identify all sources of compensation available to you and your loved ones.

Dog bite cases often lead to significant medical bills for treatment, rehabilitation, surgeries, future operations and nursing care. At Lindner Law, LLC, we can help you manage your medical bills and gather your medical evidence. We can also assist you in paying your medical bills through health insurance or other coverage. Finally, we will work with your medical care providers to prevent bill collectors from harassing you during your recovery.

Our goal is to fully calculate your losses and pursue a settlement that provides maximum compensation. However, we are ready to fight for you at trial if that’s what it takes.

Want To Learn More?

Those dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite often have many questions about the legal process and their rights. Here are some answers to questions we often hear during our free initial consultation:

How long do I have to file a dog bite injury claim in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including dog bite injuries, is three years from the incident date. It is crucial to act promptly, as failing to file within this time frame can result in losing your right to seek compensation.

What is contributory negligence?

Contributory negligence is the legal concept where the victim’s actions may have contributed to the incident. If the victim in Wisconsin is found to be partially at fault for their injuries, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if found to be 20% at fault, the damage award will provide 80% of the total injury award.

How can contributory negligence affect your dog bite injury claim?

In some instances, a dog owner may argue that the victim provoked the dog or ignored warning signs, contributing to the incident. This defense can complicate your claim and potentially reduce the compensation you receive. To strengthen your claim, gather enough evidence, avoid provocations and work with a Milwaukee dog bite attorney to build a strong case and counter contributory negligence claims.

What damages can a dog cause to make the owner liable?

Dog bite victims can seek compensation for a variety of damages, including:

Medical expenses for injuries
Lost wages for missed work
Pain and suffering from ongoing effects

These damages help ensure victims meet their financial and medical needs after the dog bite incident.

Speak With Us About Your Case

Regardless of whether you hire our firm to handle your claim, we can help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision about your next steps. Please don’t wait to contact us using this website or by calling 414-488-6870 or 888-217-1625 toll-free to set up a free initial consultation.