According to data from PawlicyAdvisor, nearly two out of every five households (37.9 percent) in Ohio have at least one dog. Most dogs are gentle and docile to people, but an aggressive and dangerous dog can pose a significant hazard to guests.
If you have sustained injuries from a dog bite, the attorneys at Oliver Law Office are here to assist. Dog owners can be liable for any injuries their pets cause, and you may have a claim for financial compensation. Our firm has built a reputation for our client-focused services and our willingness to aggressively pursue at-fault parties.
Contact us today to speak to a dog bite attorney serving Marion.
Many common household dogs in Marion, Ohio, such as pit bulls, German shepherds, labrador retrievers, and bulldogs, have exceptionally high bite strength and can easily produce enough force to tear skin and crush bone. Dog bites are common on the extremities, and the sharp teeth can damage nerve tissue, leading to motor and sensitivity issues. Dog bites are the single most common reported type of animal attack in Ohio.
Common injuries from dog bites include:
Puncture wounds
Skin tearing or lacerations
Bruising and soft-tissue injury
Broken bones and crushing injuries
Bacterial infections
Tetanus
Scarring and disfigurement
Facial injuries
Neck injuries
Eye injuries
Rabies
Ruptured tendons and ligaments
Many people might dismiss a dog bite, but attacks can cause grievous wounds, permanent disability, and even death. Dog bites can also create lingering mental trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and lasting dog phobia, especially in child bite victims.
Ohio law establishes strict liability for dog bite injuries and property damage. Under a strict liability standard, dog bite owners are liable for injuries from dog bites, even if they were not negligent in controlling or confining their dogs. Owners may have to pay compensatory damages to victims of dog bites.
Ohio’s dog bite statute mentions dog owners, keepers, and harborers. Keepers and harborers refer to those presently in control of the dog and who are responsible for the premises where the dog resides. In most cases, keepers and harborers are also the owners, but the categories can include dog walkers, pet sitters, dog trainers, and, in rare instances, landlords.
These laws are often called dog bite laws, but Ohio’s strict liability statute applies to all types of dog attacks, not just bites. Strict liability would also apply if a large dog jumped on you and knocked you over, causing injuries. Note, however, that dog owners are not liable if the victim was intentionally trespassing or if the victim provoked/harmed the dog before it bit them.
In addition to existing statutory liability, common law in Ohio establishes a one-bite rule for negligence claims concerning dog bite injuries. Specifically, if a dog bite causes injuries, the owner can be liable if:
The dog is vicious or dangerous
The owner knew about their dangerous dog
The owner negligently kept the dog
Essentially, this rule allows victims to prove negligence simply because the owner knew their dog was dangerous and kept it anyway. What counts as a vicious or dangerous dog depends on the facts of the case and the specific arguments each side makes.
The main reason to pursue a negligence claim instead of a more straightforward strict liability claim with a dog bite is that relevant parties can assign punitive damages for negligence claims. Punitive damages exist specifically to punish and deter irresponsible behaviors like knowingly and negligently housing a dangerous dog.
Ohio does not have a specific statute of limitations for dog bite injuries. Instead, it uses the same time limit as other personal injury cases — two years. This means that any lawsuit against the dog’s owner or handler for bodily injury resulting from a dog bite must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.
If you wait too long to file and the statutory period lapses, you will lose any chance to recover money for your losses in court. In addition to losing that avenue to seek the money you need for your expenses, you’ll also lose your best leverage against the responsible party or their insurer. Without the threat of taking them to court, there may be no way to persuade them to offer a settlement that would cover even a portion of your losses.
The aftermath of a dog bite can leave you wracked with pain and extensive medical bills. Compensation in a dog bite settlement case will include money to recover losses you suffered due to the attack. Your losses in a dog-bite injury case might include:
Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses, such as medicine, in-home care, or medical equipment.
Lost earnings from missing work due to your injuries
Diminished earning capacity due to permanent total or partial disability
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish from scarring or disfigurement
Loss of consortium or loss of life enjoyment
Wrongful death
The exact amount of compensation you can obtain depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries and the victim’s behavior during the bite incident. Our job as dog bite attorneys is to build a strong case to minimize your fault and maximize the compensation you can recover. We will also fight back against insurance companies’ attempts to underpay or reject claims.
Many people see dogs as loyal companions and family members, so a dog attack can be exceptionally stressful and traumatizing. Dog owners have a responsibility for the damage their pets cause, and you should not be left to manage the consequences of a dog attack alone.
Oliver Law Office has been protecting injured parties in Marion for 20 years. Our compassionate and empathetic attorneys understand the difficulties a serious injury can bring and dedicate ourselves to helping clients rebuild and move on with their lives. Our established record of case results reflects our meticulous approach to case building and our acumen as litigators. We cannot undo your injuries and trauma, but we can hold responsible parties accountable and fight for your money.
If you would like to schedule an in-office, in-home, or virtual consultation, contact us online or call (614) 220-9100 to speak with a dog bite injury attorney serving Marion.
Our office in Dublin is located at 7240 Muirfield Dr., Suite 120. You can reach us 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.
