Dogs are our loyal companions and, to many, are just like family. However, an aggressive or untrained dog poses a serious risk to others. If you have been injured in a dog bite attack, contact the attorneys at Oliver Law Office. Animal attacks are no laughing matter, and injuries from a dog bite are expensive to treat and manage. We can help you file a claim against the responsible parties to recover your losses.
Send us a message today to speak to one of our dog bite attorneys serving Hilliard and the Greater Columbus area.
Dogs have proportionally very strong jaws and are capable of generating an extreme amount of pressure when they bite. The high forces coupled with dogs’ sharp, irregular teeth create deep, asymmetrical gouges and tears. The sheer force of dog bites can also be enough to break bones. The injuries from a dog bite attack can include:
Lacerations
Puncture wounds
Bruising
Nerve damage
Ruptured tendons or ligaments
Eye injury
Facial injuries
Fractures
Scarring or disfigurement
Crushing injuries
Infection
Amputations
PTSD and dog phobia
Studies have shown that over half (51 percent) of dog bite victims are children, and about a quarter (26 percent) of dog bite injuries in children require emergency care. In fact, dog bites are one of the leading causes of injury and illness in children.
Insurance companies and courts often categorize dog bites into levels to summarize the nature and severity of the injuries for the purposes of paying damages. One of the most commonly used metrics is the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, which divides dog bite injuries into six levels:
Level 1: Aggressive behavior but no contact between the skin and dog teeth
Level 2: Teeth-on-skin contact, but no puncture wounds
Level 3: Slight lacerations and one to four puncture wounds with a depth of less than half of the dog’s canine tooth’s length
Level 4: Bruising with one to four puncture wounds, with at least one deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine tooth
Level 5: Two or more Level 4 bites from a single or repeated attack
Level 6: Fatal dog bite attack
It is important to have an accurate categorization for your dog bite injuries so you can pursue adequate compensation proportional to the level of damage you suffered.
Ohio law establishes that dog owners, keepers, and harborers are strictly liable for any injuries the dog causes. In other words, victims do not have to prove that the owner was negligent to recover damages. They only have to prove that the dog bit them and caused injuries. This is a lower bar to clear than the negligence standard that is typical in most other personal injury cases, which makes recovering damages for dog bite injuries a bit more straightforward.
Keepers and harborers are the entities in control of the dog at the time of the attack and those who control the premises where the dog resides. Usually, these entities are also the dog owner, but they could include dog trainers, groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, and landlords. Also, owners of designated dangerous dogs have additional obligations to secure and confine their pets, as well as provide sufficient warning of the dog’s dangerous nature to passersby and guests.
Ohio does not have a one-bite rule. That means dog owners do not have to have prior knowledge of aggressive behavior to be liable. The only circumstance in which an owner is not liable is if the bite victim was a trespasser or provoked/harmed the dog into attacking.
Various studies have identified specific breeds that are more dangerous than others. According to a data analysis from Statista, pit bulls, rottweilers, and German shepherds are the three most dangerous dog breeds for fatalities. These three breeds are responsible for about 80 percent of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. Other dangerous breeds include mastiffs, huskies, and, perhaps surprisingly, labrador retrievers.
Dog breeds with high bite forces can also be dangerous, even if they do not typically have an aggressive temperament. Various dog breeds that are common as household pets, such as chow-chows, bulldogs, pit bulls, and German shepherds, have exceptionally high bite forces that can cause significant or even fatal injuries. Large dog breeds generally have greater potential for damage, but smaller breeds with small, sharp teeth can still cause significant wounds.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies in the U.S. paid out over $1 billion in dog bite liability claims in a recent year. Typically, bite victims will file a claim through the owner’s liability policy, such as homeowners or renters insurance. The typical settlement in a dog bite injury claim will include money for your:
Emergency medical bills
Continuing medical expenses
Rehabilitative costs
Lost income
Permanent disability
Disfigurement and scarring
Emotional trauma
Pain & suffering
Loss of life enjoyment
If the responsible party’s liability coverage is not enough to cover your injuries, you may be able to file a formal lawsuit against them to recover your due compensation. In addition to compensation, courts might award punitive damages meant to punish the offender and discourage similar behavior.
Many people dismiss dog bites as minor injuries, but they can create expensive medical bills, debilitating physical damage, and lasting emotional scarring. The onus is on you to prove the extent of your dog bite injuries, so victims need an attorney who will aggressively pursue at-fault parties and fight for compensation. Oliver Law Office has over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of the injured throughout Hilliard and the surrounding Columbus area. Our attorneys won’t rest until we have exhausted every legal recourse to make you whole again.
We also offer both in-home and virtual consultations so we can find a way to discuss your case, no matter your living circumstances. We are more than just another law firm — we are a reliable partner you can count on to provide critical legal and emotional support when you need it the most.
Contact Oliver Law Office online or call (614) 220-9100 to speak to a dog bite attorney serving Hilliard today.
You can reach our office at 7240 Muirfield Dr., Suite 120, in Dublin using these directions.
From the North:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the South:
Start on I-270 North.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the East:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the West:
Start on I-270 East.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
