Never in a million years did I believe that these attorneys would do everything possible to seek justice.
The Mobile dog bite injury lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC help people in Mobile County, Baldwin County, and across Alabama take action after a dog bite or attack. Beyond the sheer shock of what happened, you may be managing painful injuries, medical appointments, missed work, and a growing stack of bills. When an owner, a handler, or a property owner fails to control a dog and prevent an attack, you may have the right to seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Our firm has more than 130 years of combined legal experience advocating for injured people throughout Alabama. We lead with compassion and prepare every case with strength and determination. Our record reflects our commitment to our clients and includes a $21 million jury verdict, one of the largest in Alabama history.
We know how unsettling the aftermath of a dog attack can be. It’s normal to have questions about what to do next. If you or a family member has been severely injured by a dog, you owe it to yourself to get answers. Call our Mobile dog attack injury lawyers today at 844.654.6228 to discuss your options in a FREE, no-obligation consultation, or reach out to us online.
First, focus on safety and medical care. Dog bites can cause serious infection, nerve damage, and scarring, especially for children.
Alabama dog bite cases are not governed by one single rule. Depending on where the attack happened and what the dog owner knew, your claim may fall under the Alabama dog bite statute, the state’s “one-bite” or vicious animal statute, local leash and at-large rules, or a combination of these.
In certain settings, premises liability may also apply. For example, if a dog attack occurs in an apartment complex hallway or courtyard and the landlord or property manager knew a dangerous dog was repeatedly posing a risk, there may be another path to compensation beyond dog bite laws.
Because insurance companies often attempt to downplay or dispute liability to reduce what they pay, it’s worth speaking with a Mobile dog bite injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation, and we can evaluate your case and the different options you may have for pursuing recovery.
The Alabama dog bite statute (Alabama Code § 3-6-1) holds the dog’s owner legally responsible when a dog, without provocation, bites or injures someone on property the owner owns or controls, or when the dog pursues them from that property and hurts them. A few factors come into play here:
*A person is generally considered “lawfully” on the property when they are there by invitation or for certain work duties such as deliveries, meter reading, or repairs (§ 3-6-2).
Not knowing the dog was dangerous doesn’t get the dog owner off the hook under this statute. However, it can change what damages are available to you and your family. If the owner proves they had no reason to know the dog was “vicious or dangerous or mischievous,” the law can limit your recovery to your actual expenses (e.g., medical bills, out-of-pocket costs), rather than broader damages like pain and suffering (§ 3-6-3).
Alabama law also makes it clear that these statutes do not take away other rights you may have under negligence law (§ 3-6-4). That means, even if the facts of your case don’t meet these requirements, you may still have other legal paths to the compensation you deserve.
Alabama also has a separate statute that can apply when someone owns or keeps a vicious or dangerous animal and, because of careless management or letting the animal run at liberty, a person without fault is injured. This is often what people are referring to when they talk about Alabama’s “one-bite rule” (§ 3-1-3).
A key issue in these cases is whether the owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had dangerous tendencies. That does not always mean the dog bit or attacked someone previously. Examples of what may be considered “vicious or dangerous” behavior can include:
Liability depends on where the attack happened, who had control of the dog, and what safety duties were ignored. A dog owner, keeper, or handler may be responsible when:
A dog bite lawyer in Mobile can investigate what happened, identify insurance coverage, and gather the evidence needed to prove liability. Moreover, the team at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC can guide and support you while you heal, help you handle bills and insurance claims, and explore every path to just compensation.
In many cases, the dog’s owner is responsible. But other parties may share liability depending on who had control and what safety measures were taken. Potentially responsible parties can include:
A strong claim identifies every liable party and every available insurance policy, then proves how the attack occurred and why it was preventable.
Premises liability is a type of claim that can hold a property owner or manager responsible when an unsafe condition on their property causes an injury. In a dog bite case, this applies when the attack occurs in a common area under the landlord’s control, such as an apartment hallway, stairwell, or shared courtyard.
For example, if a property manager has received repeated complaints about a tenant’s aggressive dog in a common area and does not take reasonable steps to address the risk, you may be able to pursue a claim against the property owner or manager. This could open another source of insurance coverage for medical bills and other losses.
Alabama courts have recognized that a tenant’s vicious dog in a shared common area can be treated like a dangerous condition that triggers a landlord’s duty of reasonable care (Gentle v. Pine Valley Apartments (Ala. 1994)). These cases are fact-specific, of course, meaning our team would have to evaluate whether a premises liability claim is appropriate in your situation.
This is one of the most important issues in Alabama dog bite cases. Our state follows a contributory negligence rule in many negligence claims. That means if an insurer can prove you were even slightly at fault, you may be barred from recovering anything.
In dog bite cases, blame-shifting often looks like claims of provocation, trespassing, ignoring warnings, or putting yourself in harm’s way. The dog bite statutes also contain “without provocation” and “without fault” language, so the facts surrounding your conduct matter very much.
If an insurance company is trying to pin any part of the incident on you, do not brush it off. Should they twist your words or cast a shadow of doubt on your liability in the attack, you could lose your right to pursue compensation. Preserve all the evidence you can and avoid recorded statements with insurance adjusters. Seeking legal guidance early on can help you avoid the common pitfalls that can irreparably damage your claim.
Dog attacks can cause far more than a simple puncture wound. The bacteria in a dog’s mouth can put you at extremely high risk of infection, and the strength of a dog’s jaws and ferocity of some attacks can cause catastrophic injuries.
Common injuries and complications include:
Rabies prevention and wound care are time-sensitive topics. If you or a family member has been bitten, seek medical care as soon as possible.
Insurers reported $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claim payouts in 2024, with the average cost per claim in the tens of thousands. Dog bite injury compensation amounts vary widely based on your injuries, recovery time, and how the attack affects your daily life. In many cases, compensation can include:
Should you sue for a dog bite? Consult with a lawyer if:
A free consultation with our capable and compassionate Mobile dog attack injury lawyers can help you understand whether a claim is appropriate and what options make the most sense for your situation.
In many dog bite cases, the filing deadline is tied to Alabama’s general personal injury statute of limitations, which is generally two years from the date of the attack. If you miss that deadline, you can lose your right to seek compensation through a personal injury or premises liability lawsuit, no matter how serious the injury is.
In some cases, including cases involving minors, different timing rules may apply. However, you should never assume an exception applies to your situation. That is why it always helps to talk with a dog bite lawyer sooner rather than later.
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After a serious dog bite, you’re trying to heal while also dealing with medical bills, time away from work, and an insurance company that just wants to close the claim as quickly as possible. Our job is to take on the legal burden, protect your rights, and pursue compensation that addresses your financial losses and secures your future.
Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC has a simple mission: help injured people seek justice and regain stability after the unthinkable happens. With decades of experience in the courtroom and at the negotiation table, we prepare your case with the care you deserve and have the resources, skill, and determination to take it to trial when necessary.
When you work with our Mobile dog bite lawyers, we can:
When you’ve been wronged, the right firm can make all the difference. The Mobile dog bite injury attorneys at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC are compassionate advocates and proven litigators, and we want to hear your story.
Dog bites can change your life in seconds. They are shocking, brutal, and if it were your child who was attacked, absolutely devastating. If someone else’s dog attacked you or a loved one here in Mobile, you need answers and a clear plan. Don’t wait to get legal guidance.
Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC represents people in Mobile, Baldwin County, and across Alabama in serious dog bite and premises liability cases, and we are ready to help. Call 844.654.6228 for a FREE, confidential consultation, or reach us online through our contact form.
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