The histories of humans and dogs have long been inextricably linked. Dogs have helped people herd livestock, hunt game, and even travel — and of course, they’ve been trusted friends for thousands of years.
However, dogs are still animals, and animals are unpredictable by nature. Sometimes, dogs bite, and the injuries can be serious when they do. Even bites that don’t seem concerning at first can develop painful and expensive complications that are slow to heal.Â
If you’ve suffered a dog bite, you need a Columbus dog bite attorney who understands the nuances of Ohio dog bite law. Oliver Law Office has a long-standing reputation for protecting the rights of injury victims throughout the state. Contact our Columbus office today to schedule a free injury consultation.
What You’ll Learn on This Page
When to Call After a Dog Attack
Contact Oliver Law Office immediately if you or a family member suffered:
Call 614-220-9100 for your free case evaluation.
States usually have strict liability dog bite laws or a “one-bite” rule in the United States. Here’s each law in a nutshell:
Like most U.S. states, Ohio is a strict liability state. This makes personal injury cases involving dog bites somewhat easier to prove.Â
An Ohio dog bite attorney doesn’t have to prove that the owner — or person in charge of the dog at the time of the bite — was negligent. Instead, they only need to show that the dog bit you and that you have recoverable losses as a result, like medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost income.
It’s also important to understand that statutes addressing dogs that injure people are often called “dog bite laws.” The same regulations apply if a dog harms you without biting. For example, if someone’s dog knocks you down so that you hit your head on the pavement and suffer a skull fracture, a personal injury lawyer in Columbus can still pursue damages from the dog’s owner or keeper.
Compensatory Damages (Available in All Cases)
These damages compensate you for actual losses and include:
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
Punitive Damages (Available in Certain Cases)
Ohio law allows punitive damages when a dog has previously bitten or attacked someone. Here’s how it works:
If you file under Ohio’s strict liability statute (ORC § 955.28), you can only recover compensatory damages. However, if the dog has a history of aggression, your Columbus dog bite attorney can also pursue a “one-bite rule” negligence claim.
However, you and your lawyer also have the option to pursue a one-bite rule claim. There’s a possibility of much higher damages being recovered with this method. That’s because if a dog has bitten someone before, the owner is responsible to the general public to keep the dog contained and prevent it from injuring people.Â
Here’s where Ohio dog bite injury claims can get complicated. If an animal attack lawyer is filing a lawsuit based on the strict liability statute, they can only recover compensatory damages — not punitive damages.
While Ohio’s strict liability statute strongly favors victims, certain situations may prevent recovery:
Trespassing on private property – If you were unlawfully on the dog owner’s property when bitten, you typically cannot recover damages. However, exceptions exist for children, delivery workers, and others with implied permission to be on the property.
Provoking the dog – If you were teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog before the attack, the owner may not be liable. “Provocation” has specific legal meaning under Ohio law and is often disputed by insurance companies. Your Columbus dog bite lawyer will investigate the circumstances and challenge false provocation claims.
Committing a criminal offense – If you were in the process of committing or attempting a criminal act on the property when attacked, recovery is barred.
Working on the dog or torturing it – Veterinarians, groomers, and others working directly on a dog have limited ability to recover for bites occurring during their work.
These defenses are often overstated by insurance companies. At Oliver Law Office, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances and fight back against false defenses designed to deny your claim.
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If you have been bitten by a dog or know of someone who has been bitten, Ohio law requires you to file a report with the health commissioner of the district. In Columbus, that would be with Franklin County Public Health. The office is located within Franklin County Memorial Hall on East Broad Street, but you can also call the office.
Some people believe that any dog is automatically put down after a bite. However, this is far from the truth. Ohio has a clear process that must be followed after a bite.
After a bite, the biting dog is usually quarantined for ten days—or longer if the health department requests—to be observed for signs of rabies. During this time, the dog may not leave the county where the bite occurred.Â
For example, if a dog owner lives in Franklin County and takes it to Shale Hollow Park in neighboring Delaware County, the dog must immediately be quarantined in Delaware County.
In addition to ensuring the biting dog is current on rabies vaccinations, county authorities also look closely at the circumstances of the bite. They may classify the dog as one of the following:
It’s important to note that to be classified as a dangerous or vicious dog; a dog must have bitten or attacked someone unprovoked. These dogs are not automatically put down, but if an owner decides to keep a known dangerous or vicious dog, they must follow strict guidelines for containing the dog and muzzling it in public.Â
In some cases, they also must carry a certain amount of liability insurance.
Dog bite cases are more complex than many people realize. Insurance companies use every tactic to minimize payouts, claiming you provoked the dog, trespassed, or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
What Oliver Law Office provides:
Thorough investigation – We document the attack scene, obtain animal control reports, interview witnesses, and gather veterinary records showing the dog’s history of aggression.
Medical documentation – We work with your healthcare providers to document the full extent of your injuries, including future treatment needs for scarring, nerve damage, or psychological trauma.
Accurate valuation – Dog bite settlements must account for plastic surgery, long-term therapy, lost wages, and permanent disfigurement. We consult with medical experts to calculate your claim’s true value.
Aggressive negotiation – Insurance adjusters know we’re prepared to take cases to trial. This motivates them to offer fair settlements rather than risk larger jury verdicts.
No upfront costs – We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. Our fee comes from your settlement, never from your pocket.
Schedule Your Free Dog Bite Case Evaluation Today
If you or a family member was bitten or attacked by a dog in Columbus, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries. Oliver Law Office has decades of experience handling dog bite claims throughout Ohio. Our Columbus personal injury lawyers have represented clients from all over Central Ohio and are ready to put that experience on your side.
We understand the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress dog attacks cause. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on healing.
We serve dog bite victims throughout Columbus, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Worthington, Whitehall, Bexley, and all of Franklin County.
Get started today:
While Ohio’s strict liability law makes dog bite claims legally straightforward, insurance companies rarely offer fair compensation without attorney representation. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts by claiming you provoked the dog, your injuries aren’t serious, or you’re exaggerating pain and suffering. A Columbus dog bite lawyer documents your injuries thoroughly, calculates the full value of your claim (including future scarring treatment and emotional trauma), and negotiates aggressively. Victims with attorneys recover significantly more than those who handle claims alone.
You may still have options for compensation. First, report the bite to Franklin County Public Health immediately, they can help identify the dog and owner through animal control records. If the dog owner cannot be located, your own homeowners or renters insurance policy may provide coverage under “medical payments” provisions. Additionally, if the attack occurred on someone else’s property (like an apartment complex), the property owner may be liable for allowing a dangerous stray on the premises. Our Columbus dog bite attorneys investigate all potential sources of compensation.
This is one of the most common concerns we hear at Oliver Law Office. Remember that filing a claim doesn’t mean suing your neighbor personally, you’re filing against their homeowners insurance policy, which exists precisely to cover these situations. Your neighbor likely won’t pay anything out of pocket. Most dog bite claims settle directly with insurance companies without litigation. That said, your health and financial recovery matter. Dog bite injuries often require extensive medical treatment, plastic surgery, and therapy. Don’t sacrifice your wellbeing to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.
Ohio’s statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years from the date of injury (Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10). However, don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses forget details, and prompt action strengthens your case. Additionally, early medical documentation is critical, gaps in treatment allow insurance companies to claim your injuries aren’t serious. Contact a Columbus dog bite lawyer immediately after receiving initial medical treatment. Most consultations are free, and you’ll have clarity about your legal options without any obligation to proceed.
