Indiana Dog Bite Attorney

A dog bite is never just a wound, and anyone who has been bitten by a dog will tell you that the pain can be absolutely excruciating. One former client compared the sensation to a bolt of electricity traveling through their body.

Dog bites are a traumatic, often terrifying experience that can result in various types of long-term pain, including scarring that never fully fades, nerve damage that changes how a hand functions, reconstructive surgery scheduled across months or years, post-traumatic stress, and a financial toll that catches most families completely off guard.

The aftereffects of a dog bite are not imaginary or hypothetical outcomes. They are realities attorney Matt Boulton has witnessed firsthand during his 30+ years of representing injured Hoosiers throughout Indiana.

If a dog attacked you or your child, you deserve more than a phone call or form letter from an insurance adjuster. You deserve an experienced, award-winning Indiana dog bite attorney who will sit with you, listen to your story, be with you through every step of the journey, and fight for every dollar your injuries deserve.

Where Does Indiana Rank for Number of Dog Bites?

According to official sources, Indiana has the unfortunate distinction of ranking among the top states in terms of the number of dog bites and attacks.

In fact, Insurance Information Institute data ranked Indiana 9th out of the 50 states for the total number (824) of dog bite claims in 2025, with previous years supporting similar numbers. And while these totals are concerning in their own right, the data doesn’t include unreported bites or incidents in which there was no applicable insurance, meaning the actual number of Indiana dog bites likely totals thousands per year.

Specific to mail carriers, United States Postal Service (USPS) data ranked Indiana 10th out of the 50 states in terms of total dog bite incidents, while Indianapolis ranked 7th in terms of dog bites throughout major U.S. cities.

Indiana doesn’t maintain a central repository that compiles annual dog bite data, so it is difficult to analyze these numbers at a granular level; however, attorney Boulton’s personal experience handling these cases has taught him that serious, life-altering dog bites can happen to anyone anywhere throughout our state.

Indiana Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know

There’s a common myth that exists around Indiana dog bite laws. Many people believe the state allows all dogs “one free bite” before the owner can be held legally responsible. Not true. In reality, the one bite rule is a legal principle that has the potential to make it more difficult for everyday victims to recover compensation but does not grant the owner guaranteed impunity.

Indiana law does not automatically presume that a dog is dangerous. However, under Indiana Code § 15-20-1-3, a dog owner can be held liable when they knew or reasonably should have known that the animal had aggressive tendencies or a history of biting and failed to take appropriate precautions. Liability can also arise from negligence in restraining or controlling the animal, regardless of prior bite history.

In reality, there are several factors that carry significant weight in Indiana dog bite cases:

The dog’s known history. Prior incidents, complaints to animal control, and witness accounts about the dog’s temperament are all discoverable and valuable evidence that attorney Boulton uses to build his clients’ cases. A dog with a documented history of aggression paints a very different picture of liability than a first-time bite.

The breed of the dog. Indiana courts have recognized that breed characteristics can be relevant to what a reasonable owner should have anticipated.

The owner’s conduct. Failing to leash or use proper restraints for a dog in a public area, ignoring “beware of dog” signage obligations, and allowing a dog to roam unsecured are all relevant to whether the owner exercised reasonable care.

The circumstances of the attack. The location of the incident, activity and actions of the victim, and any provocations alleged by the defense all factor into how liability is framed and contested.

It’s important that dog bite victims understand that these distinctions matter from the very first conversation. One of the first things attorney Boulton does in a dog bite case is map the facts that surround the bite against what Indiana law actually requires. And it should never be what an insurance adjuster claims the law requires.

What Dog Bite Injuries Actually Look Like

People often underestimate the severity and consequences of a serious dog bite until they or their child is the one sitting in an emergency room.

Attorney Boulton has handled dog bite cases ranging from a single deep laceration requiring stitches to full maulings that permanently altered the course of a person’s life. The bite injuries he most frequently encounters include the following:

• Facial lacerations, particularly to the lips, cheeks, nose, and around the eyes
• Deep tissue wounds to the hands, arms, legs, and neck
• Nerve damage affecting sensation and long-term function
• Puncture wounds that develop serious infections, including MRSA
• Rabies exposure requiring post-exposure prophylactic treatment
• Permanent scarring requiring multiple rounds of reconstructive surgery
• Severe injuries that result in wrongful death
• Psychological trauma, particularly in children, including PTSD and lasting fear responses

Children deserve special attention in these cases, as pediatric dog bite injuries are among the most heartbreaking cases attorney Boulton handles.

Because children are largely unable to fully defend themselves, attacks tend to affect the head and face at a disproportionate rate. Surgeons often cannot fully correct the scarring to these areas until a child has stopped developing, which means some families are navigating medical decisions well into their child’s teenage years.

Any settlement reached in a dog bite case like this needs to account for care that has not
happened yet. Settling too soon is one of the most costly mistakes a dog bite victim can make and one that attorney Boulton can help you and your family avoid.

Why Dog Bite Cases Are More Complex Than They Appear

The majority of Indiana dog bite cases will involve homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies, and those policy limits are often substantially higher than what is available in a typical car accident case. And while this is good news, it’s also a reason victims need to be especially careful.

Higher policy limits mean the insurance company faces greater exposure with considerably more at stake, which means they will act accordingly. In other words, they will do whatever is necessary to defend and refute these cases.

Within hours or days of a reported dog bite, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster who sounds helpful and reasonable. In reality, they will ask questions or make requests that could potentially damage your claim if not handled appropriately.

For example, they may ask for a recorded statement, request photos of your injuries, ask you to sign a medical authorization, or suggest they simply want to get your side of things. Do not comply with any of these requests before speaking with an experienced Indiana dog bite attorney.

A recorded statement, photos, signed documents, or any information you provide before fully understanding your injuries or legal rights can be used to minimize or deny your dog bite claim entirely.

Attorney Boulton has spent decades analyzing the attempts insurance companies make to assign fault to dog bite victims. Some of the more common insurance company strategies are to suggest the dog was provoked, that the victim startled it, moved toward it aggressively, or invaded the animal’s space.

Countering and disproving the insurance company’s narrative requires a meticulous investigation that includes reconstructing the sequence of events, interviewing witnesses, obtaining available camera footage, pulling any available animal control records, and establishing a clear picture of what actually happened and who is responsible for it.

Attorney Matt Boulton Handles Your Dog Bite Case Start-to-Finish

Having the actual attorney you hire handle every facet of your dog bite case matters more than most people realize.

These cases are almost never simple. Liability is nearly always contested, insurance companies fight back with their proven tactics, and the injury picture often evolves over months or years. For these reasons, it’s important that you have an attorney who is tuned in to every detail, conversation, and medical update from start to finish, not a case manager or junior associate who is assigned to a high-volume caseload.

When you hire Boulton Law Group, Matt Boulton is your lawyer. Not someone who works for him. He takes every call, reviews every piece of evidence, and makes every strategic decision in your case.

Attorney Boulton has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury claims. His successful track record has earned him a variety of awards and accolades, including:

• AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest distinction awarded through peer review in the legal profession
• Recognized by Super Lawyers
• Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

That experience and those credentials are not window dressing. They reflect decades of knowing exactly where insurance companies push back, where cases are won, and how to build the kind of record that produces results, which has led him to be sought after by injured victims and families throughout Indiana.

A Dog Bite Case Attorney Boulton Settled for His Client

To better understand the gravity of a dog bite attack and how quickly it can happen, we need to look no further than this recent case settled by attorney Boulton.

The following dog bite incident occurred in Indianapolis and involved one adult victim, two pit bull dogs, and multiple witnesses. The case facts were compiled through a combination of the Indianapolis Animal Care Services report and the victim’s account as shared with attorney Boulton.

Case Facts

The victim was at home cooking dinner when one of the neighbor’s children knocked on the door. The child was frightened and said the family’s infant had blood in its mouth. The parents were away and had no way to be reached. The victim, who shared a close, open-door relationship with the neighboring family, went immediately to help.

Upon entering the home, the victim saw the older neighbor child at the top of the stairs holding the baby. Before the situation could be assessed, one of the family’s dogs came around a corner and began a low growl. The victim reached for the door handle to leave. The dog lunged first toward the victim’s neck and, when it could not reach, latched onto the victim’s arm.

While struggling to break free, the victim pushed one of the children out of the way to prevent the child from being bitten as well. In doing so, the victim fell. A second dog, a tan pit bull mix, immediately began biting the victim’s torso and chest area.

The victim later told investigators there was a genuine fear of not surviving the attack. Even in that moment, the victim’s focus was on getting out of the home so the children would not have to watch what was happening. The victim managed to free an arm, reach the door, and roll out onto the front porch, pulling the door shut behind.

The incident was documented by Indianapolis Animal Care Services, which confirmed the account matched an emergency call placed within minutes of the attack. The investigation also revealed that at least one other individual had previously been bitten by the same dogs but had not reported it. The dog owner had a prior history with Indianapolis Animal Care Services, and one of the dogs had been returned to the owner by the agency.

The victim sustained serious bite wounds to the arm, torso, and chest area and was treated at a local Indianapolis hospital emergency department. The dog owner was cited for two violations of owner responsibility under Indianapolis Municipal Code.

Hiring Boulton Law Group

The seriousness of the injuries and potential liability concerns led the victim to contact Boulton Law Group. After reviewing the available options with attorney Boulton, the victim decided to move forward with representation against the homeowner’s insurance company.

Attorney Boulton immediately secured six reports related to the incident, verified witness accounts, and identified all potential liability policies. He issued letters of representation to the insurance company, advising them of his involvement and instructing them to direct all future communications through him and to cease contact with his client entirely.

With attorney Boulton handling every aspect of the case, the victim was able to focus entirely on recovery. Attorney Boulton secured the certified medical records, billing documentation, and a full accounting of personal damages. Through meticulous case-building and persistent negotiation, he overcame the insurance company’s objections and secured a six-figure settlement on the victim’s behalf.

Indiana Dog Bite Cases Have Strict Time Limitations

Indiana has a strict statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites. Failure to settle or properly file a lawsuit by the specified deadline for your specific case means you risk being forever barred from seeking damages.

In many cases, victims have two years from the date of the incident to resolve their claim; however, there are always exceptions to this rule, such as when a governmental entity is involved or a case focuses on a minor under 18 years of age. To pinpoint the statute of limitations date for your or your loved ones’ specific dog bite case, it is recommended that you contact attorney Boulton for further guidance.

Waiting too long to pursue your case is one of the most common and most irreversible mistakes injury victims make. In the hours and days following the incident, evidence disappears, and witnesses become harder to locate. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the stronger your starting position will be.

The Zero Fee Guarantee

Boulton Law Group provides every dog bite victim and their family a Zero Fee Guarantee. This promise means there is never a consultation fee, there are never any charges or fees while the case is ongoing, and the firm receives no payment for its work until a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

In short, Boulton Law Group works on a contingency basis, meaning you owe nothing if the case is not resolved in your favor.

Boulton Law Group’s Zero Fee Guarantee is a way to grant award-winning legal representation to everyone, ensuring that the quality of your legal representation is never determined by your financial situation.

Talk to Attorney Matt Boulton About Your Case

If a dog attacked you or someone in your family, do not attempt to navigate this journey alone. Insurance companies have experienced claims teams and attorneys working to protect their interests from the moment a report is filed. You deserve the same level of experienced, committed advocacy on your side.

To receive a free, no-pressure review of your dog bite case, you can call Attorney Boulton directly at 317-350-2680 or reach out using the firm’s confidential, free contact form.

Boulton Law Group is a top-rated, award-winning Indiana personal injury firm serving dog bite victims in Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Avon, Zionsville, Plainfield, Greenwood, Martinsville, Lafayette, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and communities throughout the entire state of Indiana.