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Pit Bull Attack…Wow…Big Surprise! August 18, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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You may have read my previous posts about dog bites/attacks.  Here’s a link about a case I handled for a victim of a pit bull attack.

This case involved an interesting issue regarding Wisconsin’s Dob Bite Law.  As you probably know, in Wisconsin if a dog previously causes injury or property damage then all subsequent recoveries are doubled.  But, what exactly is damage?  Is a hole in someone’s jeans damage?  How about a dog pulling at someone’s jeans without a hole?

It was a unique case and, like usual, the at-fault insurance company blamed the victim for bending down to pet the dog!  The jury didn’t buy their argument. 

FYI: The juries verdict was actually about $18,375 which included costs awarded by the court and taxed against the at fault insurance company.

www.jonpgroth.com

 Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Fond du lac, Mayville, Port Washington and Wauwatosa.

Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Law July 28, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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It must be summer.  I’ve been talking with a lot of new clients injured by dogs.  For everyone’s information below I’ve linked to and posted Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Law (Sec. 174 Wis. Stats.)

When a dog causes injury to a person for the first time (“without notice”):

“the owner of a dog is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property.”

When a dog owner knows that a dog has caused injury in the past and the dog causes injury again (“after notice”):

“the owner of a dog is liable for 2 times the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property if the owner was notified or knew that the dog previously injured or caused injury to a person, domestic animal or property.”

If you have questions about the Dog Bite Law in Wisconsin feel free to contact me at 800-950-9882.  I’d be happy to discuss your situation.

www.jonpgroth.com

 Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Cascade, Lomira, Janesville and Wauwatosa.

Pit Bull vs. Golden Retriever? May 30, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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Guess who started the fight?  Linda Spice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently wrote an article about a pit bull that attacked a golden retriever in Port Washington, Wisconsin.  The pit bull’s owner was dragged across the street as the dog ran at two golden retrievers and their owner.  The police were at the scene almost immediately and shot the pit bull. 

This brings up an interesting question.  In Wisconsin, the law states that if a dog bites and previously caused injury to person or property then the dog’s owner is liable for double the damages caused by the dog bite. 

If this pit bull had bit the golden retriever and then almost immediately afterwards the owner of the golden retriever would double damages apply? 

If you are in this situation it’s important to hire an attorney that deals with these situations.  I’d be happy to help. 

www.jonpgroth.com

Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Port Washington, Wauwatosa, Ozaukee and Milwaukee.

Dog Bite this week. Hope not! May 23, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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This week was dog bite prevention week in Rock County.  Please take this opportunity to make sure your dogs (and other pets for that matter) behave and are safe and sound.

Keep this in mind: Rock County officials have said that children from newborn to 10 years old are the most common dog bite victims in Rock County.  I can’t imagine these statistics differ much from county to county across Wisonsin. 

The Rock County officials go on to state that 84% of Rock County’s dog bites are to the face, neck or head.  From my person injury practice I’d add arms/hands to the mix.  Usually, there are defensive injuries. 

In any event, be careful this week.  Tie your dog up, keep him or her on a leash when you go for walk and make sure your animals are up to date on all of their rabbies shots. 

www.jonpgroth.com

Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Milton, Wauwatosa, Janesville and Beloit.

Co-Counsel Wisconsin May 7, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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Wisconsin really is a great place to live.  I’m biased of course:  golf courses, Wisconsin Dells, the Great Lakes, Door County and much, much more.  (If anyone reads this from the Visitors’ Bureau maybe I can get a hotel room for this ad?)

Anyway, since we are a summer vacation hot spot many out-of-towners travel to and through Wisconsin.  Unfortunately, these people get in car accidents, attacked by dogs, injured on other people’s property and other personal injuries. 

Remember if you are injured in Wisconsin and need to file a lawsuit you will need the assistance of a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney.  Attorneys from other states may be able to assist in pre-suit negotiations.  But, once a lawsuit is filed you’ll need someone who is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin. 

Many times an out-of-towner may have already hired a lawyer whom they trust and want to continue to work with that attorney.  This is where co-counsel relationships apply.  I’ve worked with a number of Attorneys from other states in situations like this.  We can help out of state attorneys to appear in court even though they aren’t licensed in Wisconsin.  They still need a Wisconsin Attorney’s help to obtain what is called a Pro Hac Vice appearance. 

In any event, if you are not from Wisconsin but were injured in Wisconsin please make sure you get the assistance of of a serious injury attorney.  Feel free to give them my name if you need help navigating the courts in Wisconsin.  I’m at your service.

 

Pit Bulls: Man’s Best Friend? Probably Not. April 28, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.
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Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers or just plain Pits.  Whatever they are called most often it is preceded by “I just got bit by a…”  At least that is how most dog bite phone calls to my office begin. 

Recently I have had a great number of phone calls from victims of Dog Bites in Wisconsin.  Pit Bull bites to be exact.  Don’t get me wrong, I have handled cases where Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labs and other dogs bite.   But, the breed of dog that has bit my clients the most is probably Pits or Pit mixes. 

So, when I read the article this morning about the Village of Arpin (Wood County, Wisconsin) banning Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes I was not surprised. 

Honestly, I don’t have a problem with this.  It’s our government at work  (i.e. Federalism).  Local governments doing what they think is right for their community.  Arpin can’t ban Pit Bulls in Waukesha.  And Waukesha can’t ban German Shepherds in Arpin.  But, Arpin certainly can protect its citizens from what they see as a dangerous animal.

After listening to the calls I’ve recently heard about Pit Bull dog bites I’d probably feel a little safer vacationing in Wood County this summer.

www.jonpgroth.com

Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Muskego, De Pere, Oconomowoc and Portage.