Dog Bites in New Hampshire
Unfortunately, any dog is capable of biting and injuring someone — and dog bites have been on the rise across the country over the past few years.
Insurance companies paid out over $1 Billion to dog bite victims in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Children are most likely to be the victims of a dog attack, as many kids have not learned how to properly interact with dogs or recognize changes in their body language.
In the state of New Hampshire, however, the owner or caretaker of the dog is legally responsible for any injury their pet may cause others.
At Sokolove Law, our New Hampshire dog bite attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to secure compensation for your injuries following an animal attack.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can range from mild to severe depending on the size of the dog and the location and depth of the bite.
Common dog bite injuries in New Hampshire include:
- Bruising
- Emotional trauma
- Fractures and broken bones
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Puncture wounds
- Scarring
- Tendon or ligament damage
- Death
In addition to dog bites, you may be able to take legal action for injuries arising from similar incidents, like a dog jumping up and knocking you over.
If you or a loved one was injured by someone else’s dog, you shouldn’t be burdened by expensive medical bills — not when our New Hampshire dog bite attorneys are here to help.
We can help you determine if you may be eligible to take legal action over a dog bite injury. Fill out our contact form now to get started for free.
New Hampshire Dog Bite Laws
In New Hampshire, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of if their dog has previously demonstrated aggressive behavior or not.
State laws hold owners responsible for the cost of medical bills and other injuries, even if there was nothing they could have done to prevent the attack.
Dog owners and caretakers may not be considered liable for injuries caused by their dogs if the injured person was trespassing when attacked, or if they teased, tormented, or abused the dog before being attacked.
Compensation from a successful dog bite lawsuit is often secured from homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if you may qualify for dog bite compensation. It costs nothing to speak with us.
How to File a New Hampshire Dog Bite Lawsuit
Dog owners in New Hampshire have a duty to protect the public from animals in their care. If they fail to do so, you may be able to pursue compensation for any injuries through a dog bite lawsuit.
If you have a case, our dog bite attorneys in New Hampshire will handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Below are the steps to filing an animal attack claim in New Hampshire.
1. Contact Sokolove Law
At Sokolove Law, we’ll provide you with a free case review to determine if you may be eligible to file a New Hampshire dog bite claim.
During this time, we’ll ask you a few questions about your injury, so we can better understand the specifics of your situation and options.
2. We’ll Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
If you have a case, we’ll collect evidence to build a strong case on your behalf, which may include:
- Accident reports
- Medical bills
- Medical reports
- Photos or videos
- Witness statements
Our goal is to show that your injuries were directly caused by someone else’s dog and how you were impacted by these injuries.
3. We'll File Your New Hampshire Dog Bite Claim
Your New Hampshire dog bite lawsuit must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is a law that limits how long you have to file a claim.
Once these deadlines pass, you won’t be able to file a claim or pursue compensation for your suffering ever again.
Call Sokolove Law now at (800) 995-1212 as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.
4. We'll Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement
Our attorneys will negotiate a New Hampshire dog bite settlement with the defendant(s), which may include the dog’s owner, caretaker, or insurance company.
If a settlement is unable to be reached, our dog bite lawyers in New Hampshire are prepared to present your case in a trial and fight for a verdict on your behalf.
New Hampshire Dog Bite Settlements
At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have recovered over $9.3 Billion on behalf of clients across the country, including those impacted by dog bite injuries in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire dog bite settlements are impacted by many factors, including the:
- Cost of related medical bills
- Extent of emotional trauma
- Lost wages from missed work
- Severity of your physical injuries
- Funeral expenses, if the victim passed away
In one case, we secured $315,000 for a Nashua family whose daughter needed facial surgery after a dog bite injury. The girl had gone with a friend to help take care of someone’s dog when she was attacked.
While there’s no guarantee of success in any case, our New Hampshire dog bite lawyers will fight to get you the most compensation possible in your case.
Get the Help You Deserve
Let our New Hampshire dog bite attorneys put their decades of experience to work for your family. Take the first step toward justice today.
Contact Us Now
Let Our New Hampshire Dog Bite Lawyers Fight for You
At Sokolove Law, we know that a dog bite can lead to both physical and psychological damage. Fear and anxiety often accompany the scars left behind from an animal attack — and these injuries may have a lifelong impact.
Our dog bite attorneys in New Hampshire are compassionate and knowledgeable. We are dedicated to holding those responsible for your suffering accountable. Throughout the legal process, we will strive to make things as stress-free as possible for you and your family.
Additionally, our attorneys don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if you do, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
Let us fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form now to get started with a free case review.
Dog Bite Lawyer in New Hampshire FAQs
What happens if a dog bites you in New Hampshire?
If you are bitten by a dog in New Hampshire, you should secure your safety and get the medical help you need.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, and some may lead to infections. In serious cases, you may need to call 911 for help.
After a dog bite, you should also:
- Collect evidence, including a description of the dog, contact information of the owner and any witnesses, as well as photos of your injuries and where the attack took place
- Record all related expenses, like hospital visits or lost wages from missing work
- Contact a dog bite attorney, who may be able to help you pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit on your behalf
At Sokolove Law, our experienced New Hampshire dog bite attorneys have decades of experience helping clients injured through no fault of their own get justice.
Can you sue for a dog bite?
Yes. If you were injured by someone else’s dog, you may be able to sue the dog’s owner or caretaker.
However, if you were trespassing or if you teased, tormented, or abused the dog before being attacked, you may not be able to pursue legal action.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if we may be able to help you file a dog bite lawsuit in New Hampshire.
Is New Hampshire a one bite state?
No. New Hampshire does not follow the “one bite” rule. Instead, it is a strict liability state, which means the owner is always responsible for their dog’s behavior, regardless of if they previously believed their dog was aggressive or not.
In addition to strict liability, dog bite laws in other states include:
- One-bite rule: Dog owners or caretakers may be held responsible for injuries caused by their dog if they were aware of their dog’s previous tendencies to act aggressive or violent
- Shared fault: If a victim’s actions were partially to blame for a dog biting them, the amount of compensation they are eligible for will be adjusted based on how responsible they were for the events that took place
Who is at fault for a dog bite in New Hampshire?
The owner of the dog or the person charged with the dog’s care — like a dog walker or family friend — may be considered responsible for any injuries from a dog bite.
What are the different types of dog bites in New Hampshire?
To categorize dog bite injuries according to their severity, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) uses the Dunbar Bite Scale:
- Level 1: Aggressive behavior but no contact between a dog’s teeth and a person’s skin.
- Level 2: A dog’s teeth made contact but did not puncture the skin more than 1/10th of an inch, resulting in slight bleeding.
- Level 3: One to four skin punctures from a single dog bite resulting in wounds no greater than a depth of half of the dog’s teeth.
- Level 4: One to four skin punctures from a single dog bite resulting in wounds deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. In addition to blood, bruising around the bite often occurs at this level.
- Level 5: Multiple dog bites or attacks, with at least two level-4 bites.
- Level 6: Dog bites that result in the victim’s death.
Why do I need a lawyer for an animal attack in New Hampshire?
While not required, it is highly recommended to hire a lawyer for an animal attack lawsuit, as these cases can be complex and insurance companies may not offer what you deserve.
By working with an experienced attorney, you may improve your chances of getting compensation and holding the dog owner responsible for your injuries accountable.
Fill out our contact form now for a free, no-obligation case review.
How much does a New Hampshire animal attack lawyer charge?
At Sokolove Law, there are no hourly fees or out-of-pocket costs to work with our dog bite attorneys in New Hampshire.
We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we only get paid if your case results in compensation.
How long after a dog bite can you sue?
You only have a limited amount of time to file a New Hampshire dog bite lawsuit due to unique laws in each state known as the statute of limitations.
Once this deadline passes, you won’t be able to sue for your injuries again.
Call (800) 995-1212 now for free help determining your eligibility to sue for a dog bite injury.
Sokolove Law Affiliations and Recognition
Our Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Justice
- New Hampshire State Bar Association
Recognition
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- New Hampshire Academy of Trial Attorneys
- U.S. News & World Report - 2022 Best Law Firms / Best Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell - 2022 Peer-Reviewed for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
Sokolove Law Local Reviews
- Better Business Bureau® (BBB): A+ Rating since 2013
- Average Google Rating: 4.6/5
Local New Hampshire Areas We Serve
Sokolove Law serves the following locations across New Hampshire:
- Bedford
- Berlin
- Claremont
- Concord
- Derry
- Dover
- Durham
- Exeter
- Goffstown
- Hampton
- Hanover
- Hooksett
- Hudson
- Keene
- Laconia
- Lebanon
- Londonderry
- Manchester
- Merrimack
- Milford
- Nashua
- Pelham
- Portsmouth
- Rochester
- Salem
- Somersworth
- Windham
- And more
New Hampshire Zip Codes We Serve
Some of the zip codes we serve across New Hampshire include:
- 03031
- 03038
- 03045
- 03049
- 03051
- 03052
- 03053
- 03054
- 03055
- 03060
- 03062
- 03063
- 03064
- 03076
- 03077
- 03079
- 03087
- 03102
- 03103
- 03104
- 03106
- 03109
- 03110
- 03220
- 03235
- 03244
- 03246
- 03275
- 03276
- 03281
- 03303
- 03431
- 03301
- 03304
- 03570
- 03743
- 03755
- 03766
- 03773
- 03801
- 03820
- 03824
- 03825
- 03833
- 03842
- 03857
- 03865
- 03867
- 03874
- 03878
