Posts in Dog Bites / Attacks

Does Delaware have Laws about Dog Bites or Dangerous Dogs?

Delaware has detailed laws about proper restraint of a dog, an owner’s liability for dog attacks, and dangerous dogs. This article focuses on the statewide regulations, however, there may also be local, county, and municipal rules to consider in your area. It is important for dog owners to understand their responsibilities and potential liabilities as dog owners. It is also important for people who have been injured in a dog attack to understand their rights as a victim, and how the law can help them to obtain justice and compensation for their injuries. More ›

What Should You Do if You are Injured by a Dog Bite in Delaware?

Dogs are a huge part of American society. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 69 million U.S. households have a dog as a pet, and the Insurance Research Council reported that 21% of American families adopted a dog in 2020. Early 2020 also saw a massive increase in the number of dog bites and dog bite insurance claims, coinciding with the start of pandemic lockdowns. A State Farm survey revealed a 21.6% increase in dog bites in March 2020 compared to March 2019, and recorded more dog-related injury claims in March 2020 than in any other month in 2020. More ›

Dog Bite FAQs

If you have been attacked by a dog and sustained injuries, there are immediate steps you should take. Read our "Dog Bite Frequently Asked Questions" to find out what you need to do to protect yourself.  More ›

What types of cases does your law firm handle?

While some law firms handle cases from a broad range of seemingly unrelated practice areas, the Morris James Personal Injury Group offers a more focused approach, helping those who were harmed by another party's negligent actions pursue compensation for their injuries via civil lawsuits. The skilled legal team with the Morris James Personal Injury Group boasts more than 80 years of combined experience in personal injury law and is adept at litigating personal injury cases, including wrongful death, auto accident, workers' compensation, dog bite, product liability, and slip-and-fall claims. More ›

Factors That Can Affect Your Settlement Value in a Personal Injury Case

It’s only natural to wonder what is the settlement value for personal injury in Delaware. What can you realistically expect to receive in compensation for your pain and suffering? More ›

What is negligence?

If another person's negligent actions led to an accident that resulted in you being injured, you may be eager to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injuries. However, before you start daydreaming about how you'll spend your settlement, you should determine whether your case—and the defendant's conduct—meets the legal definition of negligence. In order for a judge or jury to agree with your assessment that the defendant was negligent, you must be able to prove the following elements of negligence: that the defendant owed you a duty of care and breached that duty in a way that resulted in you being seriously injured. More ›

Will I have to appear in court if I file a personal injury lawsuit?

It's not uncommon for prospective clients to ask if filing a personal injury lawsuit means that they'll have to appear in court. It's understandable; the thought of having to testify in front of a judge and jury can be intimidating—particularly for those with no prior experience in a courtroom. Fortunately, the experience is often far less overwhelming than clients expect—and far less dramatic than what they've seen on popular courtroom dramas. More ›

Why should I hire an attorney?

Being involved in a serious accident can throw your entire world into chaos and leave you with a lot to consider, including whether taking legal action is appropriate. If you do decide to exercise your legal rights and pursue compensation for injuries sustained in an accident that was caused by another person's negligence, you may find yourself wondering if it's really necessary to hire an attorney to represent you. While the short and technical answer to that question is “no,” there are many instances where hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is not only wise, but offers you the best possible chance of achieving a successful outcome in your case. More ›

What is Gross Negligence?

Not all negligence is created equal. Under Delaware's personal injury law, there are different types of negligence. If you were a victim of the more severe form of negligence—known as gross negligence—you may be entitled to additional damages. More ›

How long do I have to file a claim in a personal injury lawsuit?

Most states have statute of limitation laws that place limits on how long an accident victim has to file a civil claim, such as a personal injury lawsuit. In Delaware, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years, meaning that the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date the accident—and the related injuries—occurred. Accident victims who fail to file a lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations risk having their case dismissed.

There can be exceptions—the statute of limitations may pause, or “toll,” if the victim was mentally incompetent at the time of the injury. In this case, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit extends to three years after the disability ends. More ›

Four Key Aspects of a Personal Injury Case

If you were injured in an accident and are considering taking legal action, understanding the key aspects of a personal injury case can be helpful. More ›

What is a settlement and what are some of the pros and cons of accepting one?

A settlement is an official agreement that resolves a personal injury claim or lawsuit before it goes to trial, allowing both parties to avoid the potentially lengthy and somewhat risky litigation process. In the United States, the vast majority of personal injury civil lawsuits never see the inside of a courtroom and are, instead, resolved via a negotiated settlement. More ›

Who pays my bills/lost wages?

Medical bills and lost wages resulting from your injuries caused by an accident can be significant. When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident while in a Delaware insured car, your medical bills and wage loss are paid by the automobile insurance covering the care you are occupying – regardless of which driver is at fault. This coverage is known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and is also referred to as no-fault coverage. More ›

For what might I be able to seek financial compensation?

Personal injury cases are often as unique as the parties involved, which makes it difficult for us to say exactly which damages a potential client could be entitled to pursue without first discussing the particulars of their situation. However, learning about common types of personal injury cases and the damages sought can provide valuable insight to accident and injury victims who are considering exploring their legal options.

How is an award or settlement determined in a personal injury case?

If you were injured in an accident, you may be facing unforeseen medical bills, and a long and painful physical, mental, and emotional recovery. Under the circumstances, it is understandable that you have questions about whether you can be compensated for your injuries and, if so, how much of a settlement offer can you expect. However, in all the years the members of our firm have worked in injury law, we've learned that personal injury cases can be as different as the parties involved, which makes it difficult to say how much you could stand to be compensated without first meeting with you to discuss your case. Fortunately, learning more about settlements and the types of damages you can seek can provide valuable insight to accident victims who seek a legal remedy. More ›