Of course, not every encounter between humans and animals will result in a finding of negligence against the owner of the dog or other animal in a Cape Cod personal injury lawsuit. It all depends upon the particular encounter and whether the pet owner’s negligence contributed to harm to the plaintiff.

In cases in which an animal’s owner is held liable for a person’s injuries from a bite or other harm, the injured individual may be entitled to substantial money damages. This can include medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering, among other things.

Facts of the Case

In a recent negligence case considered on appeal by the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the plaintiff was a man who was injured when his dog was allegedly attacked by another dog (probably a pit bull mix). The dog was owned by a tenant of the defendant landlord. At the time of the altercation between the two animals, the plaintiff’s dog was on a leash and was running beside him as he bicycled down the street in front of the defendant’s property. The tenant’s dog was unleashed and ran out towards the plaintiff’s dog. The dogs began to fight, which in turn caused the plaintiff (who was still holding his own dog’s leash) to fall from his bike and be injured.

The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing before the trial court that he had no legal duty to protect the plaintiff from harm from a dog that he (the defendant) did not own. The trial court granted the motion, and the plaintiff appealed.

The Court’s Decision

The appellate court affirmed the lower court’s entry of summary judgment for the defendant. Phrasing the issue was “whether a landowner has a legal duty to protect passers-by from a dog kept on the landowner’s property, but owned by the landowner’s tenant,” the appellate tribunal agreed with the lower court that the defendant was entitled to summary judgment. Viewing the granting of summary judgment de novo as is appropriate under Massachusetts law, the reviewing court observed that the defendant was only entitled to judgment as a matter of law if the plaintiff had no reasonable expectation of proving an essential element of his claim if the matter proceeded to a trial.

Here, the court found that the risk of harm to a passer-by such as the plaintiff was not reasonably foreseeable to the defendant, thus negating one of the essential elements for a negligence claim. Rather, in the court’s opinion, the obligation was on the dog’s owner – rather than the defendant landlord – to handle the animal responsibly.

Schedule an Appointment with a Negligence Attorney in Cape Cod

If you, your spouse, or your child has been injured by an animal that belonged to someone else and you need to talk to an experienced dog bite attorney, call the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III at 888-262-6664. We represent clients throughout the Cape Cod area, including Hyannis, Plymouth, and the surrounding area. Please be mindful that there is a limited amount of time for filing a negligence claim against a dog owner or landowner, so it is important to take prompt legal action. There is no charge for the initial consultation with us, and many cases are accepted on a contingency fee basis: we collect our fee when your case is settled (rather than expecting payment upfront).

Facts of the Case

The plaintiff in a recent (unreported) case was a man who was bitten by a dog owned by the defendant. Seeking monetary compensation for serious injuries he allegedly received in the incident, the plaintiff filed suit against the defendant pursuant to Massachusetts General Law ch. 140, § 155. In his suit, the plaintiff stated claims for both negligence and strict liability, alleging that, at the time that he was bitten, he was not “teasing, tormenting, or abusing” the dog but, rather, had merely leaned down to pet the animal. The defendant’s unsigned answers to interrogatories asserted that the plaintiff had awoken the dog from sleep, stepped on its tail, and swung a heavy medallion at the dog.

The trial court granted summary judgment to the plaintiff. The defendant sought reconsideration, but the trial court did not change its earlier ruling in the plaintiff’s favor. The defendant appealed.

Disposition of the Issues

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed. Beginning its discussion of the issues with the question of jurisdiction, the appellate court noted that the plaintiff’s position was that the defendant’s appeal was untimely because it was made well beyond 30 days after the trial court had entered summary judgment in his favor on the issue of liability. Insomuch as the defendant’s notice of appeal was filed within 30 days of the trial court’s final judgment – not the judgment on liability – the court found that it had appellate jurisdiction over the case. With regard to the defendant’s argument that the trial court erred in failing to consider three filings which allegedly did not comply with Rule 9A, the reviewing court found no error, noting that unsigned interrogatory answers were not admissible as evidence under Massachusetts Rule of Civil Procedure 56.

The parties also disagreed as to whether it was appropriate for the lower tribunal to deny a motion to reconsider made by the defendant. In ruling that the lower court had ruled appropriately on this issue, the court pointed out that the motion to reconsider was not made until five months after the partial summary judgment order on liability and was not supported by any documentation explaining the delay.

To Contact a Injury Lawyer

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you need to talk to a lawyer about filing a claim against the animal’s owner. To schedule a free consultation with a Cape Cod dog bite injury attorney, call the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, at 888-262-6664. Please be mindful that there is a time limit on filing such claims, so please seek legal counsel as soon as possible; otherwise, you claim made be denied on statute of limitations grounds.

Insurance coverage can be an issue in some cases. Depending on the facts, it may be the plaintiff, or it may be the defendant who is seeking a declaration from the court to the effect that the plaintiff’s claim (if it is ultimately proven) is covered by a particular policy of insurance.

As in other cases in which an insurance company seeks to avoid liability for one reason or the other, proving that there is insurance coverage can be just as difficult a battle – if not even more so – than proving the elements of the underlying case.

Facts of the Case

In a recent case, the plaintiff was a woman who originally filed suit against a homeowner and her sister back in 2004, seeking monetary compensation for injuries allegedly caused by two pit pulls owned by the homeowner’s nephew. The homeowner’s liability insurance company defended her in that action. Ultimately, the suit was terminated by stipulations of dismissal, with no payment being made to the plaintiff by the homeowner or her insurance company.

In 2014, the plaintiff filed suit against the nephew, seeking compensation for the same injuries as in the 2004 suit. (No explanation was given as to the long delay.) The second suit asserted claims under Massachusetts General Laws ch. 140, § 155 and for negligence. The plaintiff notified the homeowner’s insurance company of her suit, asserting that the company owed the nephew a defense and indemnification. The company disagreed and took no action to defend the nephew; and a default judgment was entered in the plaintiff’s favor.

In yet a third suit, the plaintiff (who, in exchange for an agreement not to pursue her judgment against the nephew, had been assigned the nephew’s rights under the homeowner’s insurance policy) filed suit against the insurance company, asserting claims for breach of contract, as well as claims under Massachusetts General Laws ch. 175, § 112, 113; Massachusetts General Laws ch. 176 D, and Massachusetts General Laws ch. 93A. The trial court entered summary judgment in the insurance company’s favor, and the plaintiff appealed.

Outcome of the Issues

On appeal, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court phrased the primary issue as, “whether [the nephew] was an ‘insured’ under the homeowner’s policy.” The court first noted that the policy is question defined an “insured” as a resident of the homeowner’s household who was a relative. The court went on to observe that insured premises was a two-family house, with each residential unit accessed by a separate door. The homeowner and her children lived upstairs, while the homeowner’s sister and two daughters lived downstairs. During the time that he resided in the dwelling, the nephew resided primarily in the sister’s household, not the homeowner’s household. Notably, however, the nephew did use a third-floor bedroom in the homeowner’s part of the dwelling to entertain guests, store clothes, and play music.

Under these circumstances, the appellate court opined that the plaintiff had failed to raise a triable issue of fact as to whether the nephew was a resident of the homeowner’s household (and thus an “insured” under the policy of insurance issued by the defendant). Thus, summary judgment to the defendant was held to have been proper.

Call a Massachusetts Injury Lawyer

Taking prompt legal action is important when asserting one’s right to pursue monetary compensation following a personal injury accident or a loved one’s wrongful death. To schedule an appointment to discuss a possible claim with an experienced Cape Cod dog bite injury attorney, call the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, today at 888-262-6664. Remember, the longer you wait to assert your claim, the more difficult your case is likely to be; claims not filed within the statute of limitations are almost always dismissed.

Once the agreement is made, the insured has the right to demand that the insurance company defend him or her against any claims that are covered under the policy and pay any judgments (up to the policy limits) resulting from such claims.

A recent case explored the issue of whether a particular misrepresentation by the insureds during the application process was sufficient for the insurance company to later void the policy and deny coverage of a claim that would otherwise be covered.

Facts of the Case

In a recently decided Massachusetts case, the plaintiff was a woman who was injured in a 2011 incident in which the defendant homeowners’ American Bulldog attacked her two Yorkshire Terriers while she was walking on a public street near the defendants’ residence. As a result of the altercation, the plaintiff suffered a broken arm, a cut on her face, and numerous scrapes on her extremities.

In 2013, the plaintiff filed suit, alleging both negligence and strict liability claims against the homeowners and asserting a claim against the insurance company for unfair claim settlement practices, due to its denial of the plaintiff’s claim against the homeowners. The insurance company sought a declaration that the liability policy issued to the homeowners was void and did not afford coverage.

The coverage issue proceeded to a bench trial, at which the court found in the insurance company’s favor.

Decision of the Appellate Court

The Massachusetts Appeals Court vacated the trial court’s judgment and entered a new judgment to the effect that the insurance company was contractually obligated to provide coverage for the plaintiff’s claim against the homeowners. With regard to the homeowners’ negative answer to a question concerning “breed and bite history” – when, in fact, the dog in question had bitten two other dogs prior to the application – the court noted that the trial court judge had interpreted that ambiguous language to mean “biting anything or anybody,” but a more reasonable interpretation of the language was “biting history for humans only.” Since the homeowners answered that question honestly, there was no misrepresentation as to the dog’s biting history.

As to the other question (which the court also found to be ambiguous) inquiring about the “loss history” associated with the dog, the court noted that the homeowner himself paid a $200 veterinary bill to the owner of another animal that his dog had bitten. However, given that this payment was only a small fraction of the homeowners’ personal liability policy limit, it was reasonable for the homeowner to not consider this a “loss for an insurance company.”

Talk to a Lawyer About Holding a Cape Cod Homeowner Liable for a Dog Bite

The results-driven Cape Cod personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, in Hyannis and Plymouth can help if you or a family member has been seriously injured by a dog bite. For a free case evaluation, call us at 888-262-6664 and schedule an appointment to discuss your case. We accept most personal injury cases on a contingency fee contract, so you will not have to pay a legal fee up front to get your case started.

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In 2012, over 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs. Because dog bite injuries can be serious and can cause a variety of lasting problems, victims may be entitled to compensation for their suffering and losses. Victims of dog bites are encouraged to contact an experienced, Cape Cod injury attorney who has the requisite background the handle the case.

Among adults and children, having a dog in the household is associated with a higher incidence of dog bites. If you have children and are considering bringing a new pet into the home, there are ways to protect your kids from dog bites. The CDC suggests speaking with staff at a local animal shelter who can help you to identify a breed that will work well with your family and home life. Also, a veterinarian can guide new dog owners in a variety of ways concerning pet care, especially by recommending a reputable dog trainer. Another suggestion is to be aware of your child’s comfort around dogs, namely, whether he or she has a fear of dogs, in order to determine the right time to get a new pet.

There are several safety tips that parents can teach their children in an attempt to keep everyone safe around dogs. Some of the suggested items are: 1) you should not approach an unfamiliar dog; 2) if you are confronted by an unknown dog, do not run or scream, but remain still, or as motionless as possible; 3) if a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and stay still; 4) kids should not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult; 5) if you see a stray dog behaving in a strange or unusual way, immediately tell an adult; 6) refrain from making direct eye contact with a dog; 7) do not disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or taking care of puppies; 8) do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first; and 9) if you are bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

Under Massachusetts’s law, dog owners are strictly liable for bites. That means when a person’s dog bites someone else, the owner is legally responsible, even if the dog has never attacked anyone in the past. Many dog bite claims are covered by a person’s homeowner’s insurance policy, and a victim may seek recover directly from the insurance company. If you or someone you known has been the victim of a dog bite, you are encouraged to reach out to an injury attorney with a great deal of experience handling these cases. A knowledgeable local attorney can help you to recover the appropriate recovery under the circumstances.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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Notably, according to the above-referenced website, between 2005 and 2012, two dog breeds accounted for 73% of the attacks that resulted in death: pit bull and rottweiler. And just recently, in the town of Wakefield, Massachusetts, a dog attack by a Pit Bull has garnered a great deal of attention by members of the community and local government. In what has been described as a terrifying encounter with two aggressive and vicious dogs, a grandfather was walking his dog while pushing his grandson in a stroller when the two animals charged at them at full speed.

In an effort to protect the child and his dog from the attacking animals, the grandfather picked up, and raised the dog over his head and stood in front of the child in the stroller. After doing so, the dogs began jumping, trying to bite at his dog. The grandfather described the pit bull as being the more aggressive dog. He received seven puncture wounds on his upper and lower body. Fortunately, a neighbor walking by and was able to bring them into the development’s clubhouse. The grandfather was taken to a nearby hospital where he received stitches.

The incident was brought before the local Board of Selectmen. In such situations, the selectmen must determine if the animal is a nuisance or a danger to the community before deciding on any potential penalties. Apparently, this particular dog has been described as a “repeat offender.” The Board decided that the pet’s owners have a limited amount of time to take action to remedy the situation. This means that the owners must: 1) erect a fence and an adjoining pen, 2) install spring-loaded mechanisms on front and back doors to their home, 3) the dogs must be on a leash at all times, and 4) when the dogs are outside of the home, they must wear a muzzle.

This is an example of a terrifying dog bite attack. In Massachusetts, dog owners are strictly liable for bites, meaning that when a person’s dog bites someone else, the owner is legally responsible. This responsibility extends to coverage of medical bills related to physical injuries, but also to any emotional or psychological damages. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. A local injury attorney can help with your case to achieve the best possible settlement under the circumstances.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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A dog bite can cause moderate to serious injuries, ranging from cuts and scratches to more significant damages. In Massachusetts, dog owners are strictly liable for bites. Essentially, this means that when a person’s dog bites someone else, the owner is legally responsible even if the dog has never attacked another person in the past. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, you are most likely entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. In order to maximize your recovery, it is important to contact a local injury attorney who is experienced handling dog bite cases.

A recent Massachusetts Supreme Court decision addressed the extent of insurance coverage for a dog bite claim. In this case, the insured couple purchased a homeowner’s insurance policy with a $500,000 personal liability limit. The policy included an Animal Liability Endorsement that limited coverage to $25,000 for each animal bite claim. Interestingly enough, both the insured and the insured’s agent stated that they mistakenly believed that the policy did NOT contain this limitation of liability, but neither one mentioned it to the other. In fact, the parties did not discuss coverage for dog or animal bite claims.

In 2006, plaintiff was severely injured after being bitten in the face by the insured’s dog. He and his wife brought a suit against the owner of the dog. The court awarded plaintiffs over $250,000, and the insurance company paid only $25,000, citing the Animal Bite Endorsement contained in the homeowner’s insurance policy. The insured couple and plaintiffs reached a settlement regarding the remainder of the award, and plaintiffs became “assignees” of the insureds’ claims against Insurer. Plaintiffs sued the insurer, claiming that because the insurer and the insureds were both mistaken about the application of the endorsement, the policy should be “reformed” by striking the provision.

The question before the Massachusetts Supreme Court was whether the mutual misunderstanding of the endorsement, which was never actually expressed by either party, provided a basis by which the plaintiffs may claim the legal principle of “mutual mistake”, and thus reform the contract. The court upheld the homeowner’s policy as originally written, holding that without clear, full, and decisive proof of a prior agreement between the parties regarding the animal bite coverage — aside from what was contained in the policy — there was no mutual mistake justifying reformation of the policy.

As we see in this case, dog bite claims may be covered, and also limited, by a homeowner’s insurance policy. The victim may also bring a claim directly against the insurance company. It is important to determine as early as possible the extent of the damages, including the victim’s suffering and losses.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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A dog bite has the potential to cause serious injuries, and in some rare cases, death. A city in the San Francisco Bay area has reportedly settled a lawsuit with the family of a man who was bitten by a city police dog and later died. In 2011, the 89-year-old victim was bitten as the dog was searching for an armed robbery suspect.

According to the family’s complaint, the police had lifted the dog over a security wall at a mobile home park where the victim lived. The officers instructed the dog to continue searching for the robbery suspect. Instead of pursuing the suspect, the dog mistakenly bit the elderly man. As a result of the bite, the man had to have part of his leg amputated. He died weeks after the incident. Although the city has denied responsibility for the man’s death, it nonetheless agreed to settle the lawsuit with the victim’s family for $1.5 million. Reports indicate that the city will be required to pay $250,000 of the settlement, and insurance proceeds will cover the remaining amount.

People should pay close attention to the kinds of behavior that can provoke a dog to bite, and ways to protect oneself should a dog attack. Dogs often exhibit warning signs that indicate when the pet is feeling anxious, leading it to protect or defend itself by biting. Some of these signs include the following: barking or whining, lip licking or tongue flicking, crouching or tucking in tail, turning head or entire body away from a situation, tightly closing mouth, yawning, ears pinned back to head, body is still or in a “freeze,” and something referred to as a “half moon eye,” which happens when the whites of a dog’s eyes are exposed.

If you think a dog is about to attack, the Humane Society provides the following recommendations: 1) resist the urge to scream and run away; 2) stay motionless, with your hands at your sides, and be sure to avoid eye contact with the dog; 3) when the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight (do not turn and run away); and 4) if the dog does attack, give him your purse, jacket, bicycle, or any item that you can put between you and the dog. If a dog has bitten you or someone in your family, it is important to contact a local dog bite attorney who can help to protect your rights to a fair and just recovery.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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A dog bite can cause a wide variety of injuries, ranging from a mild wound to a more serious bite to the face and neck. In an extreme case, it has been reported that a woman lost three limbs after her own dog bit her. According to the CBC news in Canada, a single mother raising four children in Ottawa was playing tug-of-war with her dogs when one of them nipped her on the hand. Afterward, that dog backed away and the other dogs licked her hand. The woman forgot about the incident; however, three days later she was taken to the hospital and doctors put her into a coma for a month and a half.

It turns out that the woman’s wound became infected with a bacterium that is commonly found in a dog’s saliva: Capnocytophaga canimorsus. In what is considered to be a rare occurrence, the bacterial infection caused her body to go into septic shock. In fact, the article suggests that there have been only 200 such cases worldwide in the past 25 years. But health officials could not pinpoint whether the infection stemmed from the initial bite or from the other dogs licking her wound. But once the infection took hold, her body went into septic shock, thereby restricting the blood flow to her extremities.

The victim has warned others to seek treatment after getting bitten by a dog if they feel that something is wrong. Penicillin can be used to treat this kind of an infection and may have prevented the tragic consequences. While this is a rare and tragic case of a person who has been bitten by their own pet, many people suffer serious and life altering injuries from a bite by another person’s dog.

When seeking redress against the dog’s owner, one can often receive an award from that party’s insurance company. In addition to physical injuries, some people experience devastating psychological effects. In those cases, victims can bring claims for counseling and psychotherapy, especially when the person injured is a child. Dog bite attacks can also cause nerve injuries, crush injuries and scarring, all of which should be included in the victim’s claim. An experienced, local injury attorney who handles dog bite cases on a regular basis will know precisely how to approach and handle your case to achieve the best possible settlement.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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Dog bites can cause any number of injuries from the less serious nip to a terrifying bite to the face, head or neck. If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you will most likely be entitled to some form of compensation for your pain and suffering. A local personal injury attorney with experience handling dog bite cases can help you to maximize your recovery.

According to the National Humane Education Society, there are ways to avoid being the victim of a dog bite. Interestingly enough, the organization suggests that people start by being “polite” and respecting the dog’s personal space. While adults can easily manage to behave accordingly in the company of pets, children, especially young kids, may not do so. Often, a child will run up to a dog, on a leash or not, and try to pet the dog. Parents and other adults are encouraged to heed this advice (and teach their children to so as well) and treat dogs with a particular level of respect.

The Humane Society also suggests that people avoid approaching an unfamiliar dog, especially one who is confined behind a fence, tied up or in a car. And when you do attempt to pet a dog, even your own pet, make sure that they have an opportunity to see and sniff you beforehand. When dogs are chewing on a toy, sleeping or with their puppies, it is suggested that you do not bother them. If you come in contact with an unfamiliar dog, realize that they may consider you to be a threat, possibly some kind of intruder.

Another piece of advice offered by the Humane Society is to place a good distance of space between you and the dog, and in doing so, you should assess the situation and look for signs that the dog may attack or bite. If you think a dog is about to attack, here are some additional recommendations the organization provides: 1) resist the urge to scream and run away; 2) stay motionless, with your hands at your sides, and be sure to avoid eye contact with the dog; 3) when the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight (do not turn and run away); 4) if the dog does attack, give him your purse, jacket, bicycle, or any item that you can put between you and the dog.

In Massachusetts, owners or those responsible for a dog are usually held strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog. A victim is entitled to sue that person for extensive damages. If a dog bit you, your child or another relative, contact a local dog bite attorney as soon as possible.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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This new trend is something that insurance companies are taking notice of. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the number of dog bite claims over the past 10 years has ranged from the low 14,000s to the high 16,000s, keeping in mind that the number of incidences actually decreased from 16,695 in 2011, to 16,459 in 2012. Over the same decade, however, the value of dog bite claims rose by 51%. Significantly, the average payout for a dog bite claim increased by 55%, from $19,162 in 2003, to $29,752 just last year.

Claims for dog bite injuries typically fall under the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. Owning a dog that has a history of biting someone can actually increase the policy rates. In fact, it has been reported that certain homeowners have been refused insurance coverage because they own “high-risk” breeds of dogs, such as rottweilers and pit bulls. Further, while some states have banned this practice of “breed profiling,” many states permit an insurance company to cancel or deny coverage if a particular breed lives in the home. In a recent incident, a woman from Roslindale, outside of Boston, was bitten in the hand while attempting to break up a fight between two pit bulls.

According to a news report, the 52 year-old woman living in an apartment building was awakened one evening by growling sounds. She found two pit bulls – that also lived in the building – fighting outside. The dogs are five and 13 years old, respectively. After separating the dogs, the younger one bit her as she attempted to pull it inside. The woman called animal control officers, requesting that the dog that bit her be removed from the premises. She was taken to Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital for her injury and the officers took custody of the five year-old pit bull. It is unclear whether the she was the owner of either dog.

There is no real defense in Massachusetts when a dog bites someone. According to Massachusetts Government Law, The dog’s owner is responsible. Even in cases where someone is injured in trying to escape a threatening dog, the owner can be held responsible for any injuries that occur. Dog bite injuries can cause life-long physical and psychological damage. If you have been the victim of a dog bite injury or are the owner of a dog who bit someone, contact our injury firm as soon as possible. We will be able to offer you dedicated and knowledgable assistance in all aspects of a dog bite case.

Local attorney, John C. Manoog III, has extensive experience helping parties in dog bite cases in Cape Cod. For a free initial consultation, call the office at 888-262-6664 or reach us by email. There is always someone available to talk to you about your case.

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