Dogs are considered to be humankind’s loyal friends. Unfortunately, dog attacks do happen, and the injuries that result can be life-changing. In 2023 alone, 4.5 million people throughout the United States reported dog bites, with children being the most common victims.
Dog bites can result in serious injuries, from puncture wounds that can become infected to broken bones and disfigurement. Not only are these attacks physically traumatic, but they can also result in PTSD and phobias that could haunt a victim for the rest of their lives.
At Oliver Law Office, our team of Ohio dog bite attorneys is dedicated to helping the people of Delaware County who’ve suffered because of a dog attack. Our women-led firm has a proven track record of success in getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to find out what we can do to help with your case.
Ohio follows the strict liability doctrine and one-bite rule regarding dog bites. Strict liability means that the dog’s owner or whoever is in charge of the animal is responsible for any injuries it causes. Unlike other states, Ohio doesn’t require that you demonstrate that the dog has bitten anyone before when you file a claim.
Instead, our lawyers will focus on showing that the person owned the dog and that the animal caused your injuries. However, remember that anyone trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the injury is not eligible to receive compensation.
The state allows you to hold both the dog’s legal owner and the person who was physically in control of the dog at the time of the bite liable. Furthermore, you may be able to place liability on the person who owns the property on which the dog lives.
Another option is to file a claim under Ohio’s one-bite rule. In these claims, you use negligence doctrines to file a claim against the owner of a dog that has previously attacked someone.
Unlike other types of claims involving negligence, you only have to show that the animal bit you and that the owner is negligent because they chose to keep a dog that has bitten others.
Still, strict liability is typically easier to prove, so you may wonder why anyone would file a lawsuit for a dog bite that relies on establishing negligence. The answer is the kind of damages you can claim. Under strict liability, you can only pursue compensatory damages. You have more options with a negligence-based claim.
Ohio allows you to pursue both a strict liability and a negligence-based claim in the same case. If you’re not sure which approach is right for you, our team of lawyers can help.
In Ohio, dog bite claims have statutes of limitations that you need to abide by. In most cases, you have two years from when the injury occurred. You may have less time in some instances, however, so it’s essential that you contact us as quickly as possible after suffering an injury.
Dog bites can result in various injuries, ranging from mild to life-altering. Here are some of the most common dog bite injuries for which we can help you pursue compensation.
Lacerations refer to deep tears or cuts that go beyond the top layer of skin and affect ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. They can result in significant bleeding and a zig-zag bite pattern.
A puncture occurs when the dog’s teeth pierce your skin. The wounds tend to be smaller than lacerations but can be much deeper. They can even damage bones. Because of this depth, the risk of infections is greater.
A dog’s jaws are incredibly powerful. They can easily break or crush your bones. This is a particular danger when dealing with large dogs. In addition to fracturing bones, these injuries can severely damage nearby tissues, including muscles.
A significant number of dog bites result in infections. If you have an open wound, bacteria can easily find their way in. You must thoroughly wash all wounds right after they occur and immediately seek medical care.
An avulsion occurs when something is ripped away from your body. This can be pieces of skin or even fingers. These are serious injuries that often require reconstructive surgery and other significant medical care.
Dog bites often leave scars. You can suffer disfiguring injuries if the dog attacks your face, which can impact your entire life and your emotional well-being.
It’s common for people who’ve experienced a dog bite to develop a dog phobia. You may also suffer from PTSD and depression, especially if you’ve sustained significant injuries.
If you’re facing medical bills and other losses as a result of a dog bite, hiring our team of personal injury lawyers can take a heavy burden off your shoulders. You are likely dealing with physical and emotional trauma, so the last thing you may want to do is to deal with the legalities of beginning a claim. But remember, the clock is ticking.
Whether you seek medical treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital or another provider, we can help you file a claim for compensation to cover the costs of your treatment. We can also gather the necessary evidence to show that the dog’s attack caused your injuries so that you can focus all of your energy on healing.
Our team has years of experience negotiating with insurance companies. These companies are looking to pay you as little as possible, which might mean pressuring you to accept a low offer or even dropping your claim. We can fight for fair compensation and safeguard you from receiving less than your claim is worth.
Sometimes, the only way to get the damages you deserve is to go to court. Our team has significant experience with litigation, and we don’t shy away from it if it’s the right way to help you.
After a dog bite, you can claim economic and non-economic damages. These compensate you for both the financial and non-financial losses you’ve sustained.
Economic losses include expenses that you can put a number to. Medical expenses fit in this category and any future expenses you will have if your injury requires ongoing medical care.
You can also claim lost wages. If you missed work to get treatment and heal, you couldn’t get the salaries, bonuses, commissions, and other benefits you would otherwise have received. Economic damages cover these losses. They also cover loss of earning potential if you’re not able to return to work.
On the other hand, non-economic damages cover non-financial losses. This includes pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. If a loved one dies because of the attack, you can claim loss of consortium, which compensates you for loss of companionship and support.
A dog bite can be extremely traumatic, resulting in both emotional and physical injuries that can take you years to recover from. But you don’t have to face the aftermath of a dog bite alone.
At Oliver Law Office, we are a women-led group of personal injury lawyers with decades of experience. We can fight aggressively to protect your rights so that you can receive the justice you deserve. Contact our Delaware dog bite lawyers to schedule a consultation today.
