Testimonials

Practice Areas

Van Dorn Blog

Sample Cases

Pet Owners Have a Legal Responsibility to Control Their Animals.

2.1 Million Dollar Jury Verdict For Dog Bite Case

A few years ago Carol Roland walked into Ed Van Dorn's law office with a problem. She had been hospitalized after being attacked by a pit bull. Her medical bills were over $30,000 and she didn't have any money or medical insurance to pay them. The owner of the pit bull didn't have any insurance or money either. Later we found out that the landlord of the building where the attack happened knew that there were dangerous pit bulls on the premises but did nothing to remove them or protect tenants and visitors from attack. We contacted the landlords' insurance company and explained we felt the landlord was responsible and should help with compensating our client with her losses. The insurance refused to pay any voluntary settlement so we filed the law suit. Attorney Ed Van Dorn presented the case to the jury and after a 4 day  trial in the New Hampshire Federal District Court the jury awarded Carol $2,100,000 as compensation for all her losses.

$240,000 Jury Verdict For Dog Bite Case Where Medical Bills Were $627.00

Dana Cote was bitten by a small dog in upstate New York.  She finally found attorney Rob Curtiss, a personal injury lawyer with the personal injury firm of Van Dorn & Curtiss who was willing to help her. The medical bills were only $627 so the insurance company tried to argue that the bite wasn't that serious and refused to pay fair compensation for the claim. Attorney Curtiss prepared the case and finally brought it to trial before a jury in Warren County New York which is by Lake George. The insurance company lawyers tried hard to convince the jury that the bite was not serious. But to Dana Cote it was. The jury awarded Dana $240,000 for her loss.

$175,000 Jury Verdict For Dog Bite Case In Maine

In Augusta Maine a young man was attacked by a Rotwieller mix dog. He crawled under a car to escape the animal but it still bit him on the leg and side. He went to the hospital and got stitches, because he had no insurance he didn't get any more medical care and took out the stitches himself. The total medical bill was about $1,400. The insurance comany for the dog owner claimed that because the medical care was minimal the injury was not serious and only offered a token settlement. The young man's attorney in Maine had heard about Ed Van Dorn's pit bull verdict in New Hampshire and contacted him for help with the case. Attorney Van Dorn went to Augusta Maine and tried the case before a jury that after a few days of trial awarded the young man $175,000.

National Recognition

Because of the results in the above cases and cases like them the law firm of Van Dorn & Curtiss has been nationally recognized for their achievements on behalf of dog bite victims. They have been written up in Trial Magazine which is the monthly journal for the American Association for Justice, Lawyers Weekly a national legal newspaper, and even in a Dear Abbey Column.

Settlements and Leverage

Of course its always preferable to settle a case rather than go through the time and expense necessary to bring cases to trial. Because of the mentioned  achievements pet owner's insurance companies  know that if they don't pay Van Dorn & Curtiss clients fair and full settlements for thier dog bite claims we will not hesitate to take these cases to court. Because of our track record for success the insurance companies want to avoid this. So when its time to negotiate a settlement the clients of Van Dorn and Curtiss have the upper hand and don't have to settle their cases unless a fair settlement is offered. There are many law firms who advertise themelves as dog bite lawyers but don't have any experience or track record in court. With these lawyers the insurance companies have the upper hand and it is far more likely that settlements achieved by these law firms cannot compare with settlements achieved by Van Dorn & Curtiss. At Van Dorn & Curtiss we do settle the vast majority of our dog bite cases, but because of who we are and our reputation, we can settle these cases for full and fair value and don't let the insurance companies dictate what they should pay. For more information about how our law firm negotiates cases download the article from our website:  How to Find the Best Law Firm for Your Personal Injury Case

General Information About Dog Bite Claims

We love our pets because they are companions, and at times, they can be more of a comfort than other human beings. Since pets are like people, if you are a pet owner you have the same responsibilities as a parent; feeding, housing, obtaining medical care, and controlling a pet’s behavior are all legal requirements for owners.

Negligent pet owners are a menace. Not only do they mistreat helpless animals, but in many cases they create incredibly dangerous pets. Just turn on the nightly news and you’ll see stories featuring violent and gruesome attacks by pit bulls and rottweilers that are  often the direct result of the pet owner’s negligence.

In fact, there are 5 million incidents of dog bites alone in the United States each year. The critical injuries stemming from these vicious attacks are serious, ranging from infections to disfigurement to wrongful death, and result in huge medical costs, lost wages, and general damages.

Van Dorn & Curtiss has been winning pet attack cases in Eastern Vermont and Western New Hampshire for years. There’s a good reason why other law firms refer dog bite and pet attack cases to us. They know that their legal team couldn’t recover the settlements and jury awards that Van Dorn & Curtiss attorneys always secure for our clients.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite or a dangerous pet attack, then you need a personal injury lawyer who is going to win. Our attorneys enjoy the challenges of planning and executing litigation strategies that mean generous compensation for you. We don’t back down. We take cases to trial and we win.

Our Goal is Not to Meet Your Expectations. Our Goal is to Exceed Your Expectations.

Our reputation for excellence is widely known, and defense attorneys reconsider settling for a fair amount when they realize they are up against a Van Dorn & Curtiss attorney. Our legal team has the skill and the experience to prove negligence on the part of the pet owner, even when insurance companies refuse a claim.

Insurance claims are often rejected in the case of a dangerous pet attack, perhaps because of how costly these critical injuries are. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, in 1995 the total cost to insurance companies due to dog bites was about two billion dollars, and the numbers have been steadily rising over the last decade.

Insurance adjusters are not interested in your pain and suffering; they protect their own financial interests and are often unwilling to pay out the amount due to injured persons. At Van Dorn & Curtiss, we refuse to let insurance companies get away with cheating our critically injured clients. Our aggressive attitude in the courtroom and our ability to litigate and win ensures generous jury awards. For instance, one victim of a vicious pit bull attack retained our services, and we won over two million dollars in damages. We try cases and we get results.

All Law Firms are Not Created Equal.

If you or someone you love has been critically injured in a pet attack or by a dog bite that is the direct result of the owner’s negligence, the legal team at Van Dorn & Curtiss is ready to pursue the compensation that you deserve. Don’t just take on all of the medical costs, loss of income, and pain and suffering on your own. We will do more than help. We will take your case to trial and we will win. Since Van Dorn & Curtiss is a full service law firm, we will work with you on all legal issues related to your case, and we only charge one contingency fee.

Contact Van Dorn & Curtiss today to set up a consultation for your pet attack and dog bite claims. Our reputation as the personal injury law firm other attorneys recommend is backed up by our commitment to recovering damages our clients deserve and our winning record. Our attorneys represent clients in Western New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont, including the counties of Caledonia, Cheshire, Coos, Essex, Grafton, Orange, Merrimack, Sullivan, Windham, and Windsor.

If you want aggressive and expert pursuit of your pet attack or dog bite claim and full recovery of all damages you are owed, call Van Dorn & Curtiss at 1(877)611-9622. Trust the lawyers other lawyers trust, and call Van Dorn & Curtiss today.

Blog for Dog Bites/Pet Attacks

• Do chained or tethered dogs attack more?
• Dog Bites Serious Threat | Dog Bite Attorney | Orford New Hampshire
• Dog Bit, Attacked Women in New Hampshire | Dog Bite Attorney
• As Weather Warms Dog Bites Increase | New Hampshire
• Pet Attack in Milwaukee

Library for Dog Bites/Pet Attacks:

• UNchainyourdog.org   
  Description: As more dogs attack and maim concerned citizens across the nation are looking for ways to prevent dog attacks. Unchainyourdog.org is leading a growing movement revolves around the idea that tethered or chained dogs are three times more likely to attack when they break free from their restraints. Champions of the cause believe that finding a better way to contain dogs improves the dog’s life and helps reduce the chances that the dog will attack. If you or your child have been bitten or attacked by a dog please contact your New Hampshire and Vermont accident attorney at Van Dorn & Curtiss today for your free consultation.
• Types, Rates and Treatments of Dog Bite Wounds   
  Description: Dog attacks leave long-lasting and serious scars- both physical and emotional. Read on to learn more about the types, rates and treatments of dog bite wounds. If you have been bitten by a dog you may need medical care for years to come. Contact Van Dorn and Curtiss, your New Hampshire lawyer, today.
• Definition, Causes and Treatment of Puncture Wounds   
  Description: This article discusses the definition, causes and treatments of puncture wounds. Puncture wounds are caused by dog bites, nails and splinters on construction sites or virtually any long, sharp object.
• Dog Bite Prevention Tips   
  Description: In order to help avoid being bitten by a dog the following tips include suggestions for the dog owner and parent. Dog attacks leave long lasting physical and emotional scars. Read on to learn how you can help prevent an attack.
• Cole v. Snyder - Jury Verdict Form [PDF]   
  Description: Jury Verdict Form Awarding $200,000
• Roland v. LeBlanc - Judgment [PDF]   
  Description: U.S. District Court Order Certifying $2.1 Million Dog Bite Jury Verdict
• Dog Bite Law: A Quick Overview   
  Description: Dog bites and pet attacks are an all too common part of personal injury law. Each year there are an estimated 5 million victims of dog bites alone, 800,000 of which require some form of medical treatment. Though most dog bites are minor, some can be so severe that they result in the loss of human life. Dog owners have a responsibility to protect the public against potentially dangerous animals

View All

Frequent Questions for Dog Bites/Pet Attacks:

• What is the one-bite rule?
• How many people are bitten by dogs each year?
• My child was bitten by a neighbor's dog and the neighbor refuses to pay the medical bills. What should I do?

Case Results for Dog Bites/Pet Attacks:

• Pit Bull Attack Leaves Woman, 40, "Waiting to Die"

Awarded: $2,100,000

• Dog Bite Case Goest to Trial in New York

Awarded: $240,000

Videos about Dog Bites/Pet Attacks:

• Laws Regarding Dog Bites Vary from State to State

Free Consumer Guides

The Essential Guide to Your Vermont or New Hampshire Accident Case

Free Consultation

Video Library

FAQs

Legal News