New Hampshire Personal Injury Blog - Dog Bites

Dog Bite Law in New Hampshire

Ed Van Dorn — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:41:00 GMT

The state of New Hampshire has a strict law concerning dog bites and attacks by domestic animals. Specifically the law says:

NHRSA 466:19 Liability of Owner or Keeper. - Any person to whom or to whose property, including sheep, lambs, fowl, or other domestic creatures, damage may be occasioned by a dog not owned or kept by such person shall be entitled to recover damages from the person who owns, keeps, or possesses the dog, unless the damage was occasioned to a person who was engaged in the commission of a trespass or other tort. A parent or guardian shall be liable under this section if the owner or keeper of the dog is a minor.
See http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/indexes/

This means that if you or loved one is bitten by a dog and sustains serious personal injury then, with very few exceptions, the dog owner is responsible for the injuries. Every year in New Hampshire serious injuries are caused by dog bites. Our law firm has gained a reputation for representing dog bite victims, starting several years ago when attorney Ed Van Dorn received a 2.1 million dollar jury verdict on behalf of a client who was attacked by a pit bull. Since then attorneys from our firm have tried these cases in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and upstate New York.

Most often other attorneys who hear about our reputation in this area ask us to get involved on behalf of their clients. Lately because the insurance companies also know about our reputation we settle more of these cases than the ones that go to trial. But in any event we make sure that our clients get full compensation for injuries received by dog bites.

If you need more information about this subject matter, please see our section regarding Premises Liability.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

New Hampshire Dog Bite Law

Ed Van Dorn — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:48:16 GMT

Many people ask us about their rights when they are bitten by a dog. We are asked this question because several years ago one of our clients was attacked by a pit bull. The people responsible refused to help the victim. After a trial by jury the client was awarded 2.1 million dollars.

This was the largest verdict of this kind in the country. It made national news. As a result we are often contacted by people who have been attaacked by dogs.

In New Hampshire a dog owner is strictly liable for injuries caused by their animal. This means that if you are bitten the owner of the dog is automatically liable for your injuries. Recovery can include medical bills, lost wages, disability, scarring, pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one is injured from a dog bite you may have legal rights. Please contact us for more information.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

Police Chief Kills Pit-bull

Christina Cole — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:58:36 GMT

The Kingston police chief fatally shot and killed a pit-bull that had bitten another person and lunged toward him.

State Police say, Police Chief Donald Briggs, while responding to a call, saw a pit-bull attacking another dog that was leashed in the backyard. He tried to get the pit-bull off from the other dog.

While trying to get the pit-bull off the dog, Briggs learned the pit-bull had previously bitten a woman who had also tried to stop the attack. The dog lunged at Briggs then attacked the other dog again. At that point Briggs shot the dog. The other dog is being treated for multiple bite wounds to his neck and head.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Cornell University Staff Member Bitten by Dog

Christina Cole — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 03:11:30 GMT

The Cornell University police are looking for the owner of a dog who bit a university staff member that now faces the prospect of precautionary rabies injections if it can't be determined the dog is properly vaccinated.

Friday at approximately 10:21 am, the Cornell University Police Dept. received a complaint of a dot bite. The complainant, a male Cornell University staff member was bitten on each leg by a small pit bull.

The complainant described the pit bull as weighing about 20 pounds, tiger-calico striped and was on a leash. The person walking the pit bull was described as a white female wearing a yellow-orange long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and a white ball cap. The female was also walking a small collie with longer, light brown hair.
The victim has been treated and released from Cayuga Medical Center with minor injuries. Cornell Police ask that the owner of the pit bull -- or anyone with any information -- contact them at (607) 255-1111 as soon as possible.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Dog Bites Carjacker

Christina Cole — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:06:17 GMT

A teenager is in jail and a woman is in the hospital with a dog bite -- after a carjacking that went very wrong.

Belleville police say the incident started at 3:40a.m. Tuesday when a pickup truck driver saw what appeared to be a woman in need of help standing on the side of the road, waving her arms. The driver pulled over and opened the door to the woman. At that time a teenage male jumped into the truck. The two instructed the driver to take him to East St. Louis.

When the driver got to the stop light at 161 and Carson Drive in Belleville, police say, he jumped from the truck, ran to a nearby house and called police. In turn, Belleville police called their counterparts in East St. Louis, who pulled the truck over and arrested the two. In the process, a police dog bit the woman, Belleville police say.
The teenager, 17, is in jail in Belleville. The woman, 28, is being treated at Kenneth Hall Regional Hall Hospital in East St. Louis. Both are expected to be charged today, Belleville police say.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole