It does not matter whether you were injured by a big, small, or non-aggressive dog breed; if a dog bit you, you could recover compensation from its owner.
A lawyer in Cincinnati from Bressman Law can file your dog bite claim, negotiate a settlement, and file a lawsuit (if necessary). We offer free initial consultations and do not charge our clients anything unless we win their cases.
Measures to Take After Being Bitten By a Dog
First, seek medical attention. After being bitten by a dog, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that one of your biggest concerns should be the risk of infection. Dogs’ mouths are full of germs. Even if you suffered only minor puncture wounds, you could come down with a severe related illness in the days and weeks to come.
From there, you should consider:
Taking Pictures of the Dog and the Incident’s Scene
If you can, take pictures of the dog. Our team can use this information to prove that the particular dog in question injured you. Some counties have restrictions on what dogs can be owned.
The scene itself could play a vital role in being held accountable for your losses. For instance, most dog bites happen inside homes. In this case, you could file a claim with the at-fault party’s homeowner’s insurance.
However, if you were bitten in a public place, like a segment of a sidewalk under the ownership and jurisdiction of the city, you could potentially hold the relevant municipality accountable for your damages.
Keep Track of Your Incurred Damages
Bressman Law can calculate the cost of your injury-related losses so that you do not have to do it yourself. We will use the following information to determine how much you should be paid:
- Your hospital bills
- Employment records
- Invoices from specialized treatment centers
- Correspondence between you and the insurer
We can also determine your injury’s impact on your life and factor that information into your prospective settlement.
Refrain from Sharing Too Much with the Dog’s Owner
Because most dog bites happen in homes, you were likely injured by the dog of someone you knew—like a neighbor, friend, or family member. Even though you may have a friendly, personal relationship with the dog’s owner, you should not do or say anything that makes you responsible for what happened.
However, refrain from oversharing to keep the claims process running as smoothly as possible. Do not apologize for what happened or suggest that you provoked the animal.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite attorney in Cincinnati, call (614) 538-1116
How a Dog Bite Lawyer in Cincinnati Can Help You
We have over 25 years of experience when it comes to helping personal injury claimants in Ohio. While considering us, we encourage you to read our Google reviews and testimonials on our website.
In one dog bite case that we handled, we secured $87,500 for the victim and their family. Their previous lawyer’s “best offer” was $22,000. Once we took on the case, however, we were able to quadruple that initial offer.
We Can Prove That You Were Hurt
Some dog owners do not want to admit that their pet was aggressive. However, it does not matter whether the dog had a history of aggression; if it bit you, the owner is liable for your damages.
We can use the following to address any disputes that threaten your claim:
- The dog’s veterinary records
- Photos of your injuries
- Testimony from witnesses and animal behavior experts
- Your medical treatment records
- Information from your healthcare provider
If your attack was recorded on tape, we could use this footage to prove that the dog injured you.
We Can Pursue Compensation for Your Damages
In a dog bite injury case, you could be eligible to recover the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- The cost of cosmetic surgery (as some dog bites lead to scarring and disfigurement)
- Disability
The types of damages you can recover in your dog bite injury case will depend on your situation. If you lost a loved one, for instance, you could recover other types of losses.
We Can Deal with the Insurance Company for You
Whether the insurer represents a business, individual, or government department, we can handle all communications with them. We do not want you to feel pressured into accepting a settlement that does not pay for your losses.
We can do the following:
- Present the insurer with evidence of your injuries and damages
- Write and send your demand letter
- Address any bad faith insurance practices
- Keep you updated on the progression of your claim
- Negotiate a settlement
We will file your claim by following the appropriate deadline.
We Can File Your Lawsuit
We can file your lawsuit before Ohio’s statute of limitations ends. You generally have six years from the date of the dog bite. If a dog bit your child, the six-year time limit begins on the date of their 18th birthday.
Once we set your lawsuit in motion, we will:
- Handle your case’s paperwork
- Call consultants to testify on the stand
- Interview witnesses
- Recreate how your accident happened
- Demonstrate the cost of your damages
- Cite Ohio state law and precedent
We will also continue negotiating with the insurer.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 900,000 people require medical attention for dog bite injuries each year. Common physical injuries after such an incident include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Bruising and abrasions
- Muscle and ligament tears
- Scarring
- Sprains
- Fractured or broken bones
- Tissue loss
- Facial injuries
In addition to physical injury, a dog attack can also cause psychological trauma, especially in children. Studies by the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine found over 70% of parents noted at least one new concerning behavior in their children following a dog bite event.
While anyone can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), young children are vulnerable because they have no prior context for a severe attack. PTSD is a diagnosable condition that can be treated with counseling and medication when necessary. Symptoms can include:
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Triggers such as the sound of a dog barking cause distress
- Refusing to talk about the attack
- Avoiding certain places that remind the victim of the attack
- Depression
- Isolation
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Constant feeling of being ‘on edge’
- Bedwetting
- Mood swings
If you or a loved one have experienced symptoms of PTSD due to a dog bite in Cincinnati, it is important to document them and see a doctor. Additionally, you or your family member could be eligible for additional compensation beyond the immediate medical bills and lost income. This is known as pain and suffering.
Ohio Dog Bite Laws
Ohio follows strict liability laws, meaning you do not need to prove the owner was negligent at the time of the attack, nor do you need to show the dog had a history of violence or aggression. This liability extends to anyone in charge of the dog when the bite incident happened, such as dog walkers, dog sitters, kennels, or doggy daycares, with the following exemptions:
- The victim was trespassing onto the property of the owner or person responsible for the dog at the time
- If the victim was provoking, abusing, or taunting the dog
- If the victim was attempting to commit a crime
If the dog has previously bitten or otherwise attacked or harmed someone, it must be registered as a ‘dangerous dog’ and be subject to the following restrictions:
- Held on a leash shorter than six feet
- Kept securely in a locked enclosure
- Registered with the county auditor
- Wear a tag designating them as dangerous
The statute also applies to other injuries, such as if a large dog knocked you over and you broke an arm or leg, for example.
Cincinnati Dog Bite Attorney (614) 538-1116
Why Clients Trust Bressman Law With Their Legal Matters
We are proud of our long history of helping injured Ohioans through challenging times and constantly strive to improve our services and build genuine connections with everyone we represent. Clients turn to us when they are injured through no fault of their own because:
- We have over 25 years of experience helping personal injury claimants in Ohio
- We work on a contingency fee basis
- We provide a free initial consultation
- We have excellent client reviews, results, and testimonials
Click to contact our Cincinnati Personal Injury Lawyers today
Call Bressman Law Today
As a dog bite victim, are you interested in working with a lawyer serving Cincinnati? If so, call Bressman Law. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to our team because your first case review is offered at no cost or obligation.
We also work on a contingency-fee-basis. During your free case review, feel free to ask us about what this means for you. We do not charge our attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
