If you or your child were attacked and injured by a dog, you might be able to file a claim against the owner for compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages. These types of claims can be tricky to collect full reimbursement. You could hire a Hilliard dog bite lawyer to represent you and pursue compensation, though.
Such an incident can cause a lot of chaos and could change your life, temporarily or permanently. You do not have to handle this situation by yourself, though.
Your Dog Bite Lawyer will Handle Your Case – From Start to Finish
Our team will use our resources, knowledge, and experience to help you and your family. We can:
- Investigate your injury to determine how the dog was in a position to bite you
- Argue your case in court, if necessary
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Advise you about what a fair settlement amount is in your case
- Talk to your medical team to understand your injuries
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite attorney in Hilliard, call (614) 538-1116
Proving a Dog Bite Claim Will Involve Proving the Dog Owner’s Negligence
Ohio dog bite liability laws are covered in Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28(B). The law is fairly straightforward. It provides: “The owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog…”
Unlike other states, in Ohio, dog bite victims do not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent in order to win the claim. They only have to prove that the dog caused their injuries and demonstrate the severity of the injuries to the court.
Your lawyer could use evidence to benefit your claim. This could include:
- Video and photos of the attack
- Photos of the injuries
- Receipts from your medical treatment (at the hospital or doctor’s office)
- Eyewitness testimony
- Your recorded account of the attack
- Any scars the injury left on your body
- Medical expert witness testimony
Hilliard Dog Bite Attorney (614) 538-1116
How You Could Have Been Injured By a Dog in Hilliard
A dog could have bit you while you were walking your own pet at Heritage Trail Dog Park or while on a run through Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. A dog could have broken out of their yard and bit you in a neighborhood. Negligence of the dog’s owner is often the main reason for a dog bite.
For instance, our lawyers have seen the following causes of Hilliard dog bites in past cases:
- A broken fence (or lack of one)
- A weak or nonexistent lead or chain keeping the animal on the owner’s property
- Lack of protections like a muzzle on a dangerous dog
- The owner had a dangerous dog surgically debarked, in violation of Ohio Code Section 955.22(F)(1)
Sales persons, delivery persons, mail persons, etc. are not considered trespassers under dog bite law. If you were attacked by a dog while delivering or making a sales house call, the dog owner may still be liable for your injuries.
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If You Lost a Family Member to a Dog Bite in Hilliard
You could pursue damages after losing a loved one to their dog bite injuries. You would have to take action before the wrongful death statute of limitations ends, though. The decedent’s personal representative is the only party that can file a lawsuit.
You could seek the following forms of compensation:
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial damages
- Lost income, if your family relied on the decedent’s wages
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of consortium and guidance
- Loss of services, like housework
- Your mental anguish at the loss of your loved one
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The Effect of a Dog Attack Is Not Just Skin-Deep
Dog attacks can cause extensive physical and emotional damages, like:
- Crush injuries
- Bone and flesh wounds
- Loss of limb
- Internal damage
- Facial injuries
Victims may need multiple surgeries and long-term rehab, suffer from permanent disability and experience complications such as infection. Plus, there are the emotional aspects of a dog attack that victims often deal with. They may experience:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Phobias, as affirmed by Mayo Clinic
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Multiple social disorders
Victims’ emotional damages can be so great that their work, school, family social lives, and sense of well-being and security are affected.
Types of Compensable Damages You Could Recover Through a Claim or Lawsuit
Your lawyer can help paint a clear picture of the extent of your injuries. Medical records, photographs, and medical and mental health expert testimonials can all be helpful in substantiating your claim.
If your case is successful, below are some of the damages for which you may be able to collect reimbursement.
- Emergency room bills
- Medical visits
- Surgeries
- Medications and other treatments
- Lost wages
- Mental health visits, counseling and treatments
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
Situations Where You Might Not Be Able to Collect Compensation
In most cases, dog bite victims can file a claim against the owner for compensation for damages. However, if the owner proves any of the following, you may not win your case.
- You were trespassing.
- You were committing or attempting to commit a crime.
- You provoked the dog.
It’s not uncommon for dog owners’ attorneys to use one of the above defenses to try to limit liability and avoid paying damages. The owner might claim you provoked the attack, but you may present evidence to counter this accusation.
This is another reason why retaining a dog bite lawyer serving Hilliard can be important. Your lawyer will foresee the possible defenses and prepare accordingly to combat any false accusations.
Free Consultation with Dog Bite Law Firm Bressman Law
If you or your loved one were injured in a dog attack in Hilliard, call Bressman Law for help. Attorney Bressman has a deep passion for justice and for helping victims get the compensation that they need and deserve.
For a no-obligation consultation, contact us today at (877) 538-1116. You also may wish to check out our testimonials and watch our video, Dog Bite: What to do/What to expect.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
