Can You Sue Your Neighbor For A Squirrel Bite?

If you've been bitten by a squirrel, you may have expensive medical bills that you need to pay. If the squirrel came from your neighbor's yard, you might wonder if you can sue your neighbor. There are times when you might be able to sue your neighbor, but it depends on whether the neighbor did anything that led to the squirrel's behavior.

Is Your Neighbor Responsible for Wild Squirrels?

Squirrels and other wild animals are considered wild under the law. That means that as a general rule, your neighbor won't be responsible for a squirrel even if it's in their yard.

In order for your neighbor to be responsible for a wild squirrel biting you, you need to show that they did something to make the bite more likely to happen. That means more than your neighbors just letting wild squirrels go into their trees.

What if Your Neighbor Was Feeding the Squirrels?

You might have a stronger case if your neighbor was feeding the squirrels. Wildlife experts recommend that people avoid feeding wild animals. It increases the chance that the squirrel will bite someone. That's because they lose their fear of humans and might approach someone with food. They might bite someone as they try to snatch food away, or they might react to a person trying to scare them away with a defensive bite.

To improve your case, you'll need to show that your neighbor had a regular habit of feeding the squirrels. You'll also want to show how they got the squirrels to approach people versus just leaving feed out in their yard with no human contact. If you can show your neighbor acted unreasonably under the law, you'll have a claim for negligence.

What if Your Neighbor Doesn't Deal With Nuisance Squirrels?

In rare cases, squirrels might become aggressive either because they were fed in the past or because they chose to nest too close to where people go. If they live in your neighbor's yard, you might want your neighbor to take care of them.

There is a general principle in the law that someone can be liable for a nuisance on their property. Since squirrels are wild animals, it is harder to prove your neighbor is responsible. However, if there is a serious problem your neighbor is aware of and they won't take action or let you take action, they could be liable if the squirrels bite someone.

To learn more about whether you can sue for a squirrel bite, contact a local personal injury lawyer today from a place like AC Thor Injury Law.