Were you or your child hurt in a dog attack in Boise, Idaho? You may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. The Boise dog bite attorneys at Feller & Wendt, LLC are here to help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Call (208)-595-6953 today to schedule a free consultation.
A dog bite can leave victims with serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical expenses. Whether the attack resulted in puncture wounds, infections, scarring, or other complications, our legal team is prepared to investigate the incident, hold the responsible party accountable, and fight for fair compensation.
Why Choose Feller & Wendt, LLC to Handle Your Dog Bite Case in Boise, ID?
A dog attack can be a terrifying experience. And it should never happen if an owner takes proper care to restrain their pet. If a dog injured you or someone you love, you deserve a Boise dog bite attorney who will fight for you and ensure you receive justice for the harm you’ve experienced.
Clients in Boise, Idaho, choose Feller & Wendt, LLC because:
- Our attorneys bring over a century of combined legal experience to serious injury cases.
- We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Idaho and Utah.
- We are a Veteran-owned firm recognized by the National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers.
- We provide personalized service that makes families feel like a priority
Call today to speak with a Boise personal injury attorney who is ready to stand up for you and your family.
Overview of Idaho’s Dog Bite Laws
Idaho handles dog bite claims differently from many other states. Idaho does not have a broad strict-liability statute that automatically makes an owner responsible for every bite. Instead, Idaho is often described as a “one-bite” state.
In general, an owner can be held strictly responsible when they knew, or reasonably should have known, that their dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies.
A dog owner may have notice of such dangerous behaviors after:
- Prior bites
- Growling
- Lunging at people
- Earlier complaints
Even if the dog owner didn’t have prior notice, you may still have a negligence claim. An owner can be liable for failing to use reasonable care to control their dog.
Idaho also has a dangerous dog statute, found in Idaho Code § 25-2810. This law allows a court to label a dog as “at-risk” or “dangerous” after it attacks or injures a person without provocation. A dangerous dog designation can lead to strict requirements for the owner and may strengthen an injured person’s claim.
What Is My Boise Dog Bite Case Worth?
No two dog bite claims are exactly alike. The value of your case will depend on the specific facts and the full extent of the harm you suffered.
Several factors may influence what a claim is worth, including:
- Whether the victim is a young child
- How severe the bite wounds and related injuries are
- Whether you needed surgery or a hospital stay
- Whether the attack left permanent scars or disfigurement
- The emotional toll, including new fears or anxiety around dogs
- How the injury affects your ability to work and earn a living
- The insurance coverage available to pay for your losses
Cases involving children carry some of the highest values. Due to their small stature, children are more likely to suffer bites to the face, head, and neck. They are also the most prone to suffer lasting emotional harm.
The clearest way to understand your claim’s worth is to speak with an experienced Boise dog bite attorney who can review your situation in detail.
What Compensation Can You Recover in an Idaho Dog Bite Claim?
Idaho law allows dog attack victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages. In many cases, this money comes from the dog owner’s home/renter’s insurance policy rather than out of the owner’s own pocket.
Economic damages cover the direct financial costs tied to the attack, such as:
- Emergency treatment
- Surgery/follow-up care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Wound care supplies
- Wages lost while you recover
- A reduction in your future earning ability
- Counseling and other mental health treatment
Non-economic damages account for the personal losses that never show up on a bill but affect your life deeply. These can be high in dog bite cases and may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and lasting trauma
- Post-traumatic stress connected to the attack
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced attorney can help you identify every type of compensation you may be owed and bring in experts to measure your future losses (when necessary).
We’ll Pursue Compensation for All of Your Boise Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks range from a single nip to a prolonged mauling. Whatever happened in your case, you deserve to be made whole.
Our firm regularly represents clients who have suffered injuries such as:
- Puncture wounds and torn skin
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Wounds to the hands, arms, and legs
- Nerve damage
- Infections, including cellulitis and MRSA
- Permanent disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Wrongful death in the most devastating cases
Infection is an especially serious risk after a dog bite. A dog’s mouth carries bacteria that can cause dangerous complications when a wound is not cleaned and treated quickly. That’s why you should always seek medical care after an attack, even if the injury looks minor at first.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Idaho?
Idaho follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can still recover damages as long as your level of responsibility was not equal to or more than that of the dog owner.
However, your compensation will be reduced by your share of the blame. For instance, if your total damages are $120,000 and you are found 20% at fault, your recovery would drop to $96,000. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.
Owners and their insurers often argue that the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing on private property. These claims are not always accurate. A skilled Boise dog bite attorney can investigate what truly happened and push back against any attempt to wrongly shift blame onto you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Our dog bite lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means your attorney only gets paid if you win an injury award. Their fee comes from the final settlement or verdict as an agreed-upon percentage. If the case ends without a recovery, you generally owe nothing in attorney fees.
Contingency fees allow injured clients to obtain quality legal representation without worrying about additional financial expenses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Idaho?
In Idaho, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the attack. This includes dog bites.
Certain situations can change this deadline, such as claims involving a minor. If you miss the deadline in your case, you can lose your right to seek compensation in court. That is why it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an attack.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Boise Dog Bite Claim
Pursuing a dog bite claim without legal representation may leave you at a disadvantage if the dog owner or insurer denies liability or tries to devalue your injuries.
An experienced attorney can help by:
- Explaining how Idaho’s dog bite and negligence rules apply to your specific facts
- Investigating the dog’s history and any earlier complaints against the owner
- Determining whether defenses like provocation or trespass actually hold up
- Collecting medical records, photographs, and witness statements
- Working with medical experts to document your injuries and long-term outlook
- Calculating the full value of your economic and non-economic damages
- Managing every conversation with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Negotiating firmly for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court if the insurer refuses to be reasonable
Most importantly, your attorney will manage the legal side of your case so you can focus on healing.
Contact a Boise Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
A dog attack can leave far more than physical wounds. They can leave lasting emotional and financial distress that affects life for years to come. An experienced Boise dog bite attorney can help make you whole after the incident and pursue all the money you need to rebuild your life.
Contact Feller & Wendt, LLC today to schedule a free consultation and take the next step toward justice.
