Dog owners and keepers in Connecticut are required to maintain control of their animals at all times. If a dog bites someone, whether they are on public or private property, the dog’s owner is responsible for medical expenses and other losses related to the attack.
Trantolo & Trantolo has been helping injury victims secure compensation for more than 85 years. We have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims, so we know how to build a strong personal injury claim in Hartford on your behalf. Let our dog bite lawyers in Hartford use our extensive knowledge and resources to help you get a fair settlement.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer in Hartford Help You?
When you are bitten by a dog, you have limited time to file a claim against the responsible party. The statute of limitations is typically three years if you file a claim against the owner per CT Gen. Stat. § 52-577, but it can be shorter depending on your case details. Prompt legal action is crucial for preserving evidence and filing a claim on time.
As soon as you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, we assign a team to handle your case. Your dedicated team becomes the point of contact for all legal correspondence and remains available 24/7 to answer your questions. They will:
- Investigate the dog bite incident
- Gather evidence such as police reports, animal control records, and witness statements
- Submit a claim to the insurer and negotiate with adjusters
- File a lawsuit within the statute of limitations and manage any other time-sensitive tasks
- Represent you in negotiations, hearings, and at trial, if necessary
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your Hartford dog bite lawyer is always prepared to file suit in Hartford Superior Court and take your case in front of a judge. Trantolo & Trantolo has experience handling dog bite claims and will manage every aspect of your case while you take the time you need to recover from your injuries.
What Losses Can Our Dog Bite Attorneys Seek in Your Case in Hartford?
If you are afraid you can’t afford the costs associated with dog bite treatments, you aren’t alone. Consumer Affairs reports that dog bites are on the rise, with over 22,000 reported in 2024, accounting for $1.6 billion in insurance claims.
Dog bite victims may require emergency care, antibiotic treatments, surgical intervention, and even plastic surgery. Long-term medical care, assistive equipment, and medication can continue to take a financial toll for the rest of the victim’s life. Our team helps you get compensation for your medical costs and income loss due to the dog attack.
In addition, we fight for compensation for the physical pain, mental distress, and quality of life issues that arise as a result of the dog bite. You deserve to be compensated for the full scope of your damages.
Our firm has been helping people fight for compensation for more than 85 years, and we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims across Connecticut. Don’t fight solo – let Trantolo & Trantolo get the compensation you deserve.
Who Can I Sue for a Dog Attack Injury in Connecticut?
The dog’s owner is typically liable for any injuries their animal causes. Most homeowners’ insurance has coverage that includes dog bite claims.
In some cases, another party, such as a landlord, may share liability for the incident. The Connecticut Supreme Court has held that a landlord who knew a tenant’s dog had dangerous or vicious tendencies and failed to take reasonable steps to address the danger can be held liable for injuries the dog causes, even though the landlord isn’t the dog’s owner. This is an established legal avenue your Hartford dog bite lawyer can pursue on your behalf when the facts of your case support it.
Trantolo & Trantolo can identify the responsible party and pursue damages through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Why Work With Trantolo & Trantolo for Your Dog Bite Case in Hartford
At Trantolo & Trantolo, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding legal support to our clients. You can expect:
- Free legal consultations and legal support on a contingency fee basis
- Personalized, attentive legal representation
- Constant communication from a dedicated legal team
- Effective advocacy from attorneys who get results
Our firm focuses on getting the best possible outcome for your situation. We know that a dog attack has unique and deeply personal consequences for you and your family. You deserve the support, guidance, and security you need to recover and return to your daily life. If you decide to hire us, our firm will recover litigation costs and fees from the final settlement or verdict after we win your case. You pay nothing upfront for our assistance.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Hartford, CT?
Every state and municipality has different laws for dangerous dogs, dog attack liability, and animal restraint. Connecticut dog bite statutes apply in Hartford and surrounding areas, but Hartford also has its own ordinances. Laws that could affect your dog bite claim include:
- CT Gen. Stat. § 22-357: A dog’s owner is liable for any damages or injuries caused by the dog, including dog bites and related costs.
- Hartford Municipal Code § 6-2: Dogs must be on a leash or confined to the owner or keeper’s property at all times.
- Hartford Municipal Code § 6-13: Dogs registered as dangerous must be strictly confined with enclosures, leashes, and muzzles that meet specific requirements. Dangerous dogs must always be within physical control of the owner or keeper.
The consequences for violating dog bite laws and ordinances vary, but animal control can remove the animal to quarantine for 14 days following an attack. If you are bitten by a dog, contact animal control or dial 9-1-1 to report the attack, then reach out to Trantolo & Trantolo to discuss your legal options.
How Dangerous Is a Dog Bite?
Hartford dog bite victims are frequently treated at Hartford Hospital or Saint Francis Hospital, both of which see these injuries regularly in their emergency departments. Dog bites can cause damages that range from mild to severe and even life-threatening. Victims of a dog attack could experience any of the following injuries and complications:
- Cuts and bruises
- Deep lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Heavy bleeding
- Shock
- Infection and sepsis
- Loss of digit or limb
- Scarring and disfigurement
Injuries to the face and neck are especially common in children who are closer to eye level. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog attack, prompt treatment is crucial. Our attorneys can help you get a letter of protection (LOP) to help you get medical care while you wait for your settlement.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Hartford?
In most cases, you have three years to file a Connecticut dog bite lawsuit. The deadline comes from Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577, which Connecticut courts have applied to claims brought under the state’s dog injury law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357.
You should not wait until the three-year deadline approaches. Animal control records, photographs, surveillance footage, witness information, medical documentation, and evidence concerning the dog’s history can become harder to obtain over time.
Contact Our Hartford Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Legal Consultation
Whether you were bitten on public or private property, you could seek compensation for your dog attack injuries and losses. Trantolo & Trantolo has been helping dog bite victims get fair financial settlements since 1938. We know how to fight for your legal rights. Call us today to schedule a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Connecticut a One-Bite State?
Yes. Under CT Gen. Stat. § 22-357, a dog’s owner is liable for a bite regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or showed signs of aggression. The only exceptions are if you were trespassing or committing another tort, or if you provoked the dog. These exceptions don’t apply to children under 7.
What Happens If I Was Bitten While Making a Delivery or Working at Someone’s Home in Hartford?
You’re still protected. Connecticut courts have consistently held that entering a property with implied permission, as a mail carrier, delivery driver, utility worker, or invited guest, doesn’t count as trespassing under the dog bite statute. The trespass exception is reserved for people who had no right to be there.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Dog Bite Claim in Hartford?
Most dog bite claims settle out of court through negotiation with the dog owner’s insurer. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, your Hartford dog bite lawyers prepare every case as if it’s going to trial from day one, which strengthens your negotiating position and means you’re not starting from scratch if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
Will the Dog Owner’s Homeowners Insurance Cover My Claim in Hartford?
Most dog bite claims in Hartford are paid through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not out of the owner’s own pocket. If the owner doesn’t have insurance, or your damages exceed their policy limits, the owner is personally responsible for the remaining amount. Our Hartford dog bite attorneys can also look into whether another party, such as a landlord who knew about the dog, shares liability and has coverage of their own.
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Trantolo & Trantolo
Office Info:Hartford, CT Office
Address: 21 Oak St Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06106, United States
Phone: 844-999-9999
Opening Hours: 24 Hours / 7 Days A Week
Location Info: Our Hartford office is located on Oak Street just off Capitol Avenue in the Capitol Place building. We are just west of the Museum of Connecticut History and walking distance from the Connecticut State Capitol. If you’re visiting us from outside the immediate area, both the Yankee Expressway (I-84) or I-91 put you near our office. We’re easy to find whether you’re in downtown Hartford or driving in.