Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers & Animal Injury Attorneys

An animal attack can be scary and life-threatening, whether the victim is a child or an adult. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year. While these attacks range in severity, 20 percent of these victims require medical attention to treat their injuries.

Such incidents should never be taken lightly. Dog bites and other animal attacks often lead to significant medical bills, lost wages, permanent scarring or disfigurement, emotional trauma, and long-term mental anguish. If an owner’s negligence or failure to act allowed this to happen, you should not have to pay the price — physically, emotionally or financially.

When Can You Take Legal Action?

In most cases, an animal owner is required to exercise reasonable care to prevent their animals from harming people or property, whether the victim was invited to the premises or not. This includes keeping animals confined to their own property and keeping them under control. It’s important to note that according to Indiana law, a dog does not have to be “vicious” for you to be entitled to damages — the dog just has to be considered “dangerous.” In some cases, the owner of a dog is liable for damages even if the dog has not previously behaved in a vicious manner (for example, when there’s evidence that the dog’s breed has dangerous tendencies or when the individual dog has dangerous qualities). Additionally, keeping a pet in a fenced-in area is not always enough to avoid liability.

Indiana laws are also different for “wild animals”; when inherently dangerous wild animals are kept as pets, an owner is liable for injuries caused by the animal even if the owner has exercised utmost care in preventing harm.

Common Injuries Caused By Animal Attacks

Dog and animal attacks come in many forms, and the injuries can be severe. Some of the most common include:

• Deep lacerations, puncture wounds, bites
• Physical scarring, disfigurement, and the need for skin grafts or reconstructive surgery
• Broken bones, crushed limbs, soft tissue damage (for example when a dog chases or knocks someone down)
• Infection, disease (including rabies risk)
• Emotional and psychological trauma (fear, anxiety, PTSD)
• Wrongful death (in the most tragic cases)

Who Is Liable When A Dog Attack Occurs?

The answer can be complicated.

Under Indiana law, the owner of a dog or animal must ensure the animal does not pose a threat to others, whether that’s through an attack, bites, knocking someone down, or running into someone on a bicycle or motorcycle. If the owner knows (or should know) the animal poses a danger and fails to take proper precautions (fencing, training, restraining), they may be held negligent. Something as simple as a dog’s size, as in the case of a Great Dane, can be enough to create a “dangerous condition.”

Additionally, Indiana has a statute for certain “strict liability” scenarios. Indiana Code § 15‑20‑1‑3 provides that if a dog, without provocation, bites a person who is acting peaceably and in a location they are legally required to be (for example a postal worker or public employee on duty), then the owner is liable for all damages — even if the dog had no prior vicious behavior and the owner had no knowledge of it.

Meanwhile, for other cases (non‐government employee victims), courts apply a negligence standard: the owner must have known or should have known about the dog’s dangerous propensity and failed to act.

Owners may also face criminal liability under Indiana Code § 15‑20‑1‑4 if they recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fail to restrain the dog and it enters another premises and attacks someone. Penalties escalate depending on repeat offenses and the severity of injury.

Not sure who’s liable in your case? Our dog bite accident lawyers know Indiana law in and out and have decades of experience in animal attack lawsuits. When you contact Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler for your free consultation, our first step will be to talk through your experience and establish liability. Then we will work with you to build a strong case and secure the compensation you deserve for the damages you’ve experienced.

Our Process: How Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler Fights for Dog Bite Victims

Here’s how our lawyers will support you through an animal attack lawsuit:

1. Free, confidential consultation. Our dog bite lawyers listen to your story and review how the attack happened and what injuries resulted.
2. Establish liability. We investigate whether the dog owner (or other responsible party) knew or should have known of the dog’s dangerous condition, failed to act, or neglected common-sense restraint or training.
3. Gather evidence. We collect and review medical records, photographs of your injury, incident reports (animal control or local authority), witness statements, the history of the dog, property/fencing issues, the animal’s escape history, and other evidence.
4. Evaluate damages. We’ll consider medical expenses (past & future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain & suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, scarring, and if applicable, wrongful death.
5. Negotiate or litigate: Many dog bite injury claims settle with insurance, but we prepare experts and trial-ready evidence so the insurance company knows we will not settle for less than what you deserve.
6. Keep you informed every step of the way. You are the priority, not just a number.

Why Choose Us?

With many years of experience handling animal attack and dog bite cases in Indiana, our firm knows the nuances of dog bite law in this state. Our track record includes significant recoveries in difficult cases involving children, guests, property owners, and complex scenarios, including several cases in which dogs have escaped and caused motorcycle accidents. When you choose Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, you’re selecting a team that will:

• Work relentlessly to protect your rights;
• Hold the responsible parties (and insurance companies) accountable;
• Ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve for your injuries.
• Treat you like a person, not a case number

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What qualifies as a “dog bite” case in Indiana?

It can be a direct bite or an attack. It may also involve a dog’s dangerous condition (for example repeated escapes or aggressive chasing). The key is whether the dog owner knew or should have known the dog posed a risk and failed to take reasonable precautions.

Do I have to prove the dog was “vicious” or had bitten someone before?

Not always. While previous bites help show knowledge of dangerous propensity, Indiana law allows for liability even if the dog has no prior biting history—especially when the victim is a government worker under the strict liability statute. 

What if I was trespassing or provoking the dog?

Indiana applies a comparative fault standard. If you provoked the dog or were illegally on the property, your recovery may be reduced. If you are over 50% at fault, you may be barred from compensation. 

Can a landlord be liable if the tenant’s dog attacks someone?

Yes — under certain conditions. If the landlord knew (or should have known) the dog was dangerous, and the landlord had sufficient control over the premises where the incident took place, they may be liable. 

How soon should I speak to a lawyer after a dog attack?

As soon as possible. Evidence (such as witness statements, animal control reports, photographs of the scene) degrades quickly. Early legal involvement improves your chance of fair compensation.

What kinds of compensation might I recover?

You could potentially seek compensation for past and future medical bills (ER, surgeries, rehab), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain & suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement/scarring, and in some cases, punitive damages (or additional penalties) depending on the conduct of the dog owner.

What about claims for children bitten by dogs?

Children are often more vulnerable to serious injury, including disfigurement, traumatic stress, permanent scarring, etc. Cases involving children may warrant increased focus on future medical/psychological treatment and long-term impact.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Indiana?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is two years. We recommend talking to an attorney as soon as you can to build the strongest case possible.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation on Your Animal Attack Case

If you or a loved one has been bitten or injured in a dog or animal attack in the Indianapolis area, don’t wait. Contact our offices at 317-842-5800 for a free confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Let us evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.