Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer in Indiana

Whether a dog owner in Indiana is automatically liable for a bite, the deadline to sue, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.

What a lawyer costs in Indiana: fee rules

Rules on contingency fees	Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them. The agreement must be a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, which expenses come out of the recovery and whether before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses the client owes whether or not they win; at the end, the lawyer gives a written statement of the result and the client's share. Indiana bars contingent fees for criminal defendants and domestic relations fees contingent on securing a dissolution, on the amount of maintenance, support or property settlement, or on obtaining child custody. A contingent fee for a post-judgment domestic relations collection action is allowed if the lawyer advises the client in writing about other collection options and otherwise complies with Rule 1.5(c). Source: Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)-(d)

Rules on contingency fees

Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them. The agreement must be a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, which expenses come out of the recovery and whether before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses the client owes whether or not they win; at the end, the lawyer gives a written statement of the result and the client's share. Indiana bars contingent fees for criminal defendants and domestic relations fees contingent on securing a dissolution, on the amount of maintenance, support or property settlement, or on obtaining child custody. A contingent fee for a post-judgment domestic relations collection action is allowed if the lawyer advises the client in writing about other collection options and otherwise complies with Rule 1.5(c).

Source: Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)-(d)

Indiana rules to know first

Dog owner liability	The statute imposes strict liability only in a narrow situation: if a dog, without provocation, bites a person who is acting peaceably and is where he or she is required to be to carry out a duty under state or federal law or postal regulations (for example, a mail carrier), the owner is liable for all damages, even if the dog was never vicious before. Other bites are governed by general law. Source: Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3
Deadline to sue	A lawsuit for injury to a person must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Claims for injury from childhood sexual abuse have longer deadlines. Source: Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4

Dog owner liability

The statute imposes strict liability only in a narrow situation: if a dog, without provocation, bites a person who is acting peaceably and is where he or she is required to be to carry out a duty under state or federal law or postal regulations (for example, a mail carrier), the owner is liable for all damages, even if the dog was never vicious before. Other bites are governed by general law.

Source: Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3

Deadline to sue

A lawsuit for injury to a person must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Claims for injury from childhood sexual abuse have longer deadlines.

Source: Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4

Full Indiana guide

Find and check a lawyer

Lawyer referral service	The Indiana State Bar Association does not run a statewide referral line; it offers a Find a Lawyer directory (InBar.Reliaguide.com) and information on local resources for attorney referral. The Indiana courts' self-help site also lists Virtual Ask a Lawyer, hosted by the Indianapolis Bar Association (call or chat online). Also: https://www.in.gov/courts/selfservice/resources/ Source: Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center, Getting Legal Help
Check that the lawyer is licensed	The Indiana Supreme Court's Roll of Attorneys, maintained by the Office of Admissions & Continuing Education, can be searched by last name and, optionally, city. It shows the attorney number, name, address and phone on file with the Clerk, the date admitted to practice in Indiana, and the status of the attorney's license. You can also call Admissions and Continuing Education at 317-232-2552 to confirm license status, whether formal charges are pending and whether the lawyer has been disciplined before. Roll of Attorneys search: https://courtapps.in.gov/rollofattorneys Source: Indiana Judicial Branch, Getting Info About Lawyers; Roll of Attorneys
Check discipline history or file a complaint	Grievances about Indiana lawyers go to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission (staffed by the Office of Judicial & Attorney Regulation). Submit the Request for Investigation form online, or print and mail it to 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204; call (317) 232-1807 to have a form mailed. Include the lawyer's name, any court cause number, a short statement of the conduct, and copies of supporting documents. The Commission does not recover money, file criminal charges or give legal advice, and fee disputes generally fall outside discipline unless the fee is clearly unreasonable. A grievance cannot be withdrawn once filed. Disciplinary history is public once formal charges are filed; Supreme Court discipline orders since 2003 are posted online. Discipline decisions: https://www.in.gov/courts/public-records/orders/discipline Source: Indiana Office of Judicial & Attorney Regulation, File a Grievance

Free legal help

Free legal aid	Indiana Legal Services, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, "provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people throughout the State of Indiana" (indianalegalservices.org). Indiana Legal Help (IndianaLegalHelp.org) helps with cases, forms and finding no-cost or low-cost legal aid, and Indiana.FreeLegalAnswers.org lets qualifying people ask volunteer attorneys questions for free. The courts' Self-Service Legal Center provides information and forms for people representing themselves. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees Source: Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center, Family Legal Resources and Getting Legal Help; Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

Free legal aid

Indiana Legal Services, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, "provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people throughout the State of Indiana" (indianalegalservices.org). Indiana Legal Help (IndianaLegalHelp.org) helps with cases, forms and finding no-cost or low-cost legal aid, and Indiana.FreeLegalAnswers.org lets qualifying people ask volunteer attorneys questions for free. The courts' Self-Service Legal Center provides information and forms for people representing themselves.

LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees

Source: Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center, Family Legal Resources and Getting Legal Help; Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

All legal help in Indiana

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.