[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/alabama-dog-bite-laws-and-injury-claims\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/alabama-dog-bite-laws-and-injury-claims\/","headline":"Alabama Dog Bite Laws and Injury Claims","name":"Alabama Dog Bite Laws and Injury Claims","description":"Alabama dog bite laws and injury claims are complicated, but here\u2019s what matters most: If a dog bit you unprovoked and you weren\u2019t trespassing, you could be eligible for compensation. The amount you recover depends on numerous factors, including whether the dog has a prior history of dangerous...","datePublished":"2025-07-08","dateModified":"2026-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/#Person","name":"Aaron Gartlan","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/author\/dothanalabamalawyer\/","identifier":6,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d2cf6b9fa253242e9c4d79550a007842dd4738da75634f31cb576c537fb5159?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gartlan Injury law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Gartlan-Logo-3Color-Horizontal-NoBackground-2.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog-barking.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dog-barking.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/alabama-dog-bite-laws-and-injury-claims\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc","name":"Alabama Dog Bite Laws and Injury Claims - Gartlan Injury Law","description":"Visit our website to learn more about how we can help and get in touch: https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/alabama-dog-bite-laws-and-injury-claims\/\n\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n(334) 699-4625\nhttps:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Hmeddy4eboc\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Hmeddy4eboc\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Hmeddy4eboc\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Hmeddy4eboc\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Hmeddy4eboc\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-07-08T02:43:20+00:00","duration":"PT2M31S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Hmeddy4eboc","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA","name":"Gartlan Injury Law","description":"Attorney Aaron Gartlan and our team at Gartlan Injury Law are aggressive advocates who always have our clients' best interests at heart. We are dedicated to providing outstanding service to personal injury victims and their families in Dothan and throughout Alabama and to pursuing maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.\n\nADDRESS:\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n\nPHONE:\n(334) 699-4625","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_kBVfrIFk4Bsc_V6O0WlwZayeYFHPJcGO1Jg8bofguUsw=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":29}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hmeddy4eboc#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":1}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4","name":"How Are My Ongoing Medical Bills Paid After an Injury? - Gartlan Injury Law","description":"In this video, Aaron Gartlan and Farrest Taylor, personal injury attorneys at Gartlan Injury Law, explain how your medical treatment will be paid for during a personal injury case.\n\n*****************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/p1jTa8siUC4\n*****************************************************\n__________________________________________\n\nDothan, AL\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n(334) 699-4625\nhttps:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/\n--------\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGOOGLE REVIEWS: https:\/\/g.page\/r\/CadSPfdj3mDREAg\/review\nFACEBOOK REVIEWS: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gartlaninjurylaw\/reviews\/?ref=page_internal","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p1jTa8siUC4\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p1jTa8siUC4\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p1jTa8siUC4\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p1jTa8siUC4\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/p1jTa8siUC4\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-02-24T06:00:36+00:00","duration":"PT2M12S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p1jTa8siUC4","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC_3-KhtACb15xdEWmYBKgFA","name":"Gartlan Injury Law","description":"Attorney Aaron Gartlan and our team at Gartlan Injury Law are aggressive advocates who always have our clients' best interests at heart. We are dedicated to providing outstanding service to personal injury victims and their families in Dothan and throughout Alabama and to pursuing maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.\n\nADDRESS:\nGartlan Injury Law\n408 S Foster St\nDothan, AL 36301\n\nPHONE:\n(334) 699-4625","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_kBVfrIFk4Bsc_V6O0WlwZayeYFHPJcGO1Jg8bofguUsw=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=p1jTa8siUC4#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":12}]]}],"about":["Dog Bite"],"wordCount":1066,"articleBody":"Alabama dog bite laws and injury claims are complicated, but here\u2019s what matters most: If a dog bit you unprovoked and you weren\u2019t trespassing, you could be eligible for compensation. The amount you recover depends on numerous factors, including whether the dog has a prior history of dangerous behavior.Like all personal injury cases, every dog bite case is unique. Consulting a Dothan, AL dog bite lawyer is the best way to learn your legal options based on the circumstances of your case.\ufeffWhat Is Alabama\u2019s One-Bite Rule?The one-bite rule is a legal principle some states use in dog bite injury claims. Under this law, owners are generally not liable for injuries their dogs cause unless the victim can prove the animal has a history of aggressive or dangerous behavior. This means the victim must show that the dog has attacked or bitten someone before. In other words, the dog gets one \u201cfree\u201d bite without consequence.Alabama\u2019s one-bite rule differs from the laws in many states. Section 3-6-1 of the Code of Alabama states that if a dog bites or injures a person who was somewhere they had a right to be, the dog’s owner is liable for it, but only if the victim was on the dog owner’s property or the dog chased the victim from the property. However, Alabama law says that if the dog doesn\u2019t have a history of vicious or dangerous behavior, the dog\u2019s owner is only liable for the victim\u2019s economic losses, such as lost income and medical expenses. This rule aims to balance the responsibility of dog owners to protect visitors while preserving their rights and financial interests.There\u2019s one key exception to the one-bite rule. If the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing, then the dog\u2019s owner is not liable for the victim\u2019s injuries. However, Section 3-6-2 of the Alabama Code says postal workers, utility workers, and others who visit the owner\u2019s premises can hold a dog\u2019s owner liable for a bite if they were performing their official duties when the dog attacked.What Is Alabama\u2019s Principle of Strict Liability?Strict liability is a concept that applies in some personal injury cases. Under strict liability, someone is liable for the harm they cause no matter the intent or the circumstances behind the injury. This is a marked difference from cases based on negligence, which is the rule in most Alabama personal injury claims.To win a negligence claim, the injured party must show that someone else caused their injuries by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent an accident. A common example of negligence is a driver who runs a red light and collides with another car. Drivers have a legal duty to follow traffic laws and avoid causing collisions, so running the red light was negligent.Alabama applies the strict liability standard in dog bite cases. If a dog attacks someone who had permission to be on the property and wasn\u2019t provoking the dog, then it doesn\u2019t matter if the dog\u2019s owner was negligent or not \u2014 the dog\u2019s owner is strictly liable. However, a dog\u2019s owner is only strictly liable for the victim\u2019s economic losses unless the dog had previously bitten someone. If the dog has a history of aggressive behavior, then the dog\u2019s owner is strictly liable for all the victim\u2019s losses, including non-economic losses like pain and suffering.Just because a dog\u2019s owner may not be strictly liable for a victim\u2019s non-economic losses doesn\u2019t mean that a victim is out of luck when it comes to obtaining money for pain and suffering. Dog bite victims may be able to file a negligence claim after an attack, but they must support their claim with evidence showing the owner\u2019s carelessness. The victim must also show that the owner\u2019s negligence caused their injuries.Who Is Liable in a Dog Bite Case?Whether strict liability or negligence applies, the person who owns the dog or has control of the dog at the time the dog bite took place will be liable. However, since many dog bite attacks occur on the owner\u2019s property, the owner\u2019s homeowners insurance policy usually covers the victim\u2019s injuries.Some homeowners insurance policies cover dog bites in areas near the owner\u2019s property or on public streets or parks. However, the terms vary significantly between policies and insurance companies. If homeowners insurance doesn\u2019t cover the injuries the dog inflicted, then the owner could be personally liable. A Dothan, AL, dog bite attorney can review your situation to see what insurance coverage may cover your injuries.What Are the Common Types of Compensation for Dog Bite Claims in Alabama?Compensation in Alabama dog bite injury claims falls into two major categories:Economic damages \u2013 Economic damages compensate you for your direct financial losses from a dog bite. This includes medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other financial losses. As long as you weren\u2019t trespassing and didn\u2019t provoke the dog, then the dog\u2019s owner is strictly liable for your economic losses.Non-economic damages \u2013 Non-economic damages are compensation for your intangible losses from a dog bite, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost quality of life.\ufeffDo I Have a Time Limit for Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Alabama?Under Section 6-2-38 of the Alabama Code, you usually have two years from the date of an attack to file a dog bite lawsuit against the owner. Certain exceptions could shorten or extend the timeline for your case, so talk to an experienced dog bite injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.Contact an Alabama Dog Bite Injury LawyerAt Gartlan Injury Law, we understand the severe toll a dog bite can take on your life. We can defend your rights and help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Our firm has decades of legal experience in Alabama personal injury claims and has recovered millions of dollars for our clients.Trust our Dothan dog bite lawyers to help you recover the money you need to rebuild your life. Call Gartlan Injury Law now or complete our contact form for a free case review.Visit Our Alabama Dog Bite Injury Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Alabama Dog Bite Laws and Injury Claims","item":"https:\/\/www.gartlaninjurylaw.com\/blog\/alabama-dog-bite-laws-and-injury-claims\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]