If you’re a pet owner, you know very well that you’re responsible for ensuring that your pet poses no threat to bystanders. This is true for all pet owners and types of pets. Even the most well-trained dog can bite and attack if it feels threatened or confused.
If someone’s pet harms you or a family member, its owner is often liable for the damage done by the attack. While most domesticated animal attacks don’t cause permanent harm, you could wind up with anything from lacerations to permanent scarring or even death.
It’s important to talk to a lawyer and initiate an animal bite lawsuit as quickly as possible after the incident occurs. States have statute limitations on when you can file and, if you wait, you may miss the filing window entirely. In general, state laws use one of three types of liability rules to determine when you’re eligible to sue:
- Strict liability
- One bite rule
- Negligence
Be sure to check with a lawyer about the animal bite laws in your state.
Animal bite lawsuits
Animal bite lawsuits let you hold pet owners accountable for the damage done by their pets. When you sustain an injury from a pet attack, you shouldn’t have to pay for medical costs. Worse yet, severe injuries can affect your ability to work. Animal bite lawsuits allow you to recover damages when a bite or other attack impacts your life and health.
In order to bring a lawsuit, you’ll need to establish liability. The liability standards vary from state to state. In a strict liability state, you typically only need to prove the animal was vicious, the owner knew and/or should have known that the animal was vicious, the animal injured you, and you suffered damages.
States with a one bite rule generally require proven knowledge of the animal’s tendency to attack. Essentially, pet owners and their pets get one “free” bite to establish the pattern of behavior. Once a bite history is on record, the owner is liable for future attacks.
In states without specific laws related to an animal bite injury, general negligence torts come into play. For a negligence tort, you argue the owner had a duty of reasonable care pertaining to their animal, and a breach of that duty resulted in your injury.
All animal bite lawsuits are a type of personal injury case.
What is pre-settlement funding for animal bite lawsuits?
Pre-settlement funding is a type of cash advance. You sell a portion of your expected settlement to a lender before the case finishes. If you don’t win the case, you don’t have to pay the cash advance company anything.
Settling or trying an animal bite lawsuit can take years. If you have extensive injuries, you may be unable to work and build up significant medical bills. In short, you could be left with little to no revenue and increasing debt. With pre-settlement funding, you can use the money you receive to pay any of your personal needs. You can use it to pay your mortgage, settle medical bills, or pay off credit cards. The money is yours to spend.
How does pre-settlement funding for animal bite lawsuits work?
Getting pre-settlement funding is fairly straightforward as long as you qualify. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process.
- Get a lawyer. You must have an attorney representing you to apply for pre-settlement funding. Your attorney discusses case details and likely settlement amounts with the funder during the approval process. The attorney must be the one who will be responsible for disbursing the proceeds of your case once it is settled or resolved by judgment.
- Ask for a case assessment. Before you can get pre-settlement funding, you need to apply. Have the funding company of your choice look at your case and let you know what they’re willing to offer. Be sure to ask about any fees or additional costs associated with a funding offer. While we at USClaims don’t charge an application fee, some lenders may do so.
- Wait for approval. The lender will let you know your approval status. With USClaims, funds may be available in as little as 24 hours of approval, once USClaims has a signed contract.
Who is eligible to apply for pre-settlement funding for an animal bite lawsuit?
To qualify, you must have current legal representation and a lawsuit already filed or ready for filing. Funders check case details to determine strength and potential amount of settlement or judgment.
Utilizing pre-settlement funding in an animal bite lawsuit
Once you have the cash for your pre-settlement funding, there are no limits on what you can do with the money. Getting hurt is stressful, and maybe you need a vacation after all the stress. Maybe you have long-term injuries that require months of physical therapy. You can spend the funds on home repairs, a new car, monthly bills, or a new wardrobe. There’s no need to report to USClaims on what you used your funds.
How much pre-settlement funding can you receive for an animal bite lawsuit?
The average dog bite settlement[1] paid through insurance claims is $64,555, but that number could be larger or smaller depending on your level of injury and the laws in your state. At USClaims, we offer up to 10% of your expected settlement in a pre-settlement cash advance for a dog bite injury or other animal injury case.
We limit the amount to ensure you have funds coming in to help with any ongoing expenses after the case closes. Many cases are on contingency, which means your lawyer gets paid (typically between 33-40% of the settlement amount), plus the case costs. With the money remaining, the funder would then be paid the amount of the advance plus an agreed-upon rate. Our goal is to help you with ongoing expenses during the trial, not leave you with nothing when it’s done.
Repayment of pre-settlement funding for an animal bite lawsuit
When a lawsuit settles, your lawyer receives the settlement amount from the defendant or their insured. They then they take their fee and case costs, and send USClaims our portion of the settlement before sending you the remaining amount. This keeps things straightforward and with little stress.
How long does it take to receive pre-settlement funding for an animal bite lawsuit?
Approval times vary, and any delays from your attorney or failure to return requested documentation can slow your approval process. However, once you’re approved for pre-settlement funding, you may receive it in as little as 24 hours after USClaims receives the signed contract. For more information, take a look at our FAQ page.
Information required to apply for pre-settlement funding for an animal bite lawsuit
To apply, you’ll need to provide your lawyer’s contact information and other information USClaims may require, including case documents and evidence of the incident. Collect any pictures, medical reports, police reports, insurance information, and witness statements.
Secure your future with USClaims: animal bite lawsuit pre-settlement funding
If an animal injures you or a family member, you may be able to sue the animal’s owner for damages. Act quickly to avoid missing your opportunity, and ask a lawyer about your case to find out what evidence you need.
After you have hired your attorney, contact us to get the money you need to pay those unexpected medical bills or keep up with other expenses while you recover. We offer fast approval and no application fees. Take a look at our customer testimonials to see how easy it is to get financial help and reach out to us at 1-877-USCLAIMS to get started.
FAQs
What happens if you lose your animal bite lawsuit?
If your lawyer works on a contingency basis, you’ll owe them nothing. With us, your pre-settlement funding is nonrecourse, which means USClaims gets paid only if you win your case.
Is pre-settlement funding for an animal bite lawsuit considered a loan?
No, pre-settlement funding is not a loan and there are no credit checks involved. By leveraging pre-settlement funding, you sell us a portion of your expected settlement in exchange for a cash advance.
Sources
- “Triple-I: Dog-Related Injury Claim Payouts Exceeded $1 Billion in 2022 | III.” Www.iii.org, www.iii.org/press-release/triple-i-dog-related-injury-claim-payouts-exceeded-1-billion-in-2022-040623.
