Dog Bite Awareness Month: Don’t Face a Bite Injury Alone in Indiana

Every June, the U.S. Postal Service leads a national push to raise awareness about dog bites. It is a cause the USPS takes seriously, because letter carriers are among the most frequently bitten workers in the country.

The latest USPS dog bite data cited more than 5,200 dog attacks against postal carriers in 2025, meaning thousands of postal employees are attacked by dogs each year while simply doing their jobs. Given the high number of attacks against its employees, the USPS uses this month to remind everyone about responsible pet ownership and the very real consequences of a dog bite injury.

But Dog Bite Awareness Month is not just relevant to mail carriers. According to recent data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dog bites send nearly 337,000 Americans to the emergency room every year, with children accounting for a large number of those visits. The injuries range from minor wounds to life-altering trauma, torn tendons, and permanent nerve damage.

Indiana families deserve to understand the full extent of their legal rights when a bite happens, and Boulton Law Group has put together the following information as a general starting point for Hoosier dog bite victims who are unsure of their next steps.

What Indiana Law Says About Dog Bite Liability

Indiana’s approach to dog bite liability largely depends on who was bitten and where the incident occurred.

For certain workers, including mail carriers and other individuals performing duties required by Indiana or federal law, Indiana Code Section 15-20-1-3 provides strict liability protection. Under that statute, an owner is responsible for all damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before or whether the owner had any reason to believe the dog was dangerous.

For everyday Hoosiers bitten in other circumstances, Indiana common law applies, and that is where things get more complicated. Indiana recognizes a legal principle commonly referred to as the one bite rule. Under this standard, a dog owner may avoid liability for a first bite if they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies. In plain terms, if the owner can convincingly argue the dog had never shown any sign of danger before, that can be used as a defense against your claim.

That does not mean you are without options. The one bite rule is not a free pass, and it is not as airtight as insurance companies would like you to believe. An owner can still be held liable if they were negligent in how they handled or restrained the dog, if the dog had shown prior aggressive behavior of any kind, or if the circumstances of the attack point to a failure of reasonable care. Indiana courts have consistently held that dog owners have a duty to exercise reasonable control over their animals regardless of bite history.

What this means practically is that building a strong dog bite case in Indiana requires help from a dog bite attorney with a track record of success in this area. The insurance company handling the owner’s claim understands the potential liability traps facing victims, and they will look for every available reason to minimize what you are owed.

Attorney Matt Boulton is an experienced Indiana dog bite attorney who knows how to investigate and present the type of evidence that matters. Having him on your side can be the difference between a claim that goes nowhere and one that reflects the full extent of what you went through.

Dog Bite Injuries Are Serious. So Are the Costs.

Some victims will downplay their dog bite, especially when the dog belongs to a neighbor or family friend. The social pressure to let it go is real, but the physical and financial consequences are not small and rarely short-term.

Severe dog bites can require multiple surgeries, plastic and reconstructive procedures, physical therapy, and ongoing psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress. Children bitten on the face or head often need care that extends for years. Lost wages, medical bills, and long-term treatment costs add up quickly, and all of these damages are recoverable under Indiana law when it is accurately proven that another person’s dog caused your injury.

Before you decide to dismiss pursuing a legal remedy for your personal damages, you should at least discuss all of your options with attorney Boulton. His advice is always free and could provide you with alternatives of which you were previously unaware.

What Attorney Matt Boulton Brings to a Dog Bite Case

Attorney Boulton has spent more than 30 years handling personal injury cases throughout Indiana, including high-profile dog bite claims. He handles every facet of his clients’ cases personally, which means when you sit down with him, you are meeting the attorney who will work your case from start to finish. There is no non-attorney or junior associate who takes over after the intake. Likewise, there is never a handoff when things get complicated.

Attorney Boulton’s one-on-one approach to client care plays an important role in dog bite cases. The evidence needed in these cases, including veterinary records, incident reports, witness accounts, and insurance documentation, has to be gathered carefully and quickly. Having an award-winning attorney personally handle each of these tasks helps to build a convincing and powerful case and not allow the insurance company to minimize what you went through.

Included in attorney Boulton’s various list of accomplishments and awards is an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest distinction awarded through peer review in the legal profession. Additionally, he is recognized by Super Lawyers and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Peers and clients alike trust his judgment, and that reputation has been built one case at a time over three decades.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Boulton Law Group provides each of its clients with a Zero Fee Guarantee, which means you pay the firm absolutely nothing unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf. Also, there is never a charge or fee to consult with attorney Boulton, and there is no pressure to make any decisions that you are not completely comfortable with.

If a dog bite has affected you or a loved one, do not wait to gather more information regarding your options. Indiana’s statute of limitations imposes strict limits on the time you have to bring a personal injury claim, and the earlier you get representation, the better your chances to protect your legal rights to compensation.

Contact Boulton Law Group Today

To speak with attorney Matt Boulton, you can call him direct at 317-350-2680 or send the details of your story using the firm’s confidential, free contact form.

Boulton Law Group is a top-rated Indiana personal injury firm that helps injured Hoosiers throughout the state. Attorney Boulton can meet with clients at their home, the hospital, his office, or wherever is most convenient for them. Or if you prefer to meet via video conference or handle communications via phone/email, that is perfectly acceptable.