In most cases, a dog’s owner can be held liable for the injuries you sustain in an Ohio dog bite incident. If the dog is under the control of another person at the time of the bite, they may also be liable, depending on the circumstances of your case. At Bressman Law, our team can review your case and help you identify the liable party or parties.
Understanding Ohio’s Dog Bite Law
Ohio law holds dog owners strictly liable for the injuries sustained in an attack. This is true no matter the dog’s history. While some states require previous reports of vicious behavior, Ohio allows us to hold the owner legally liable even without any previous bad behavior. The only exception to this is if the victim provoked the dog before the attack.
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You May Be Able to File an Insurance Claim to Recover Compensation
Ohio law allows bite victims to pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim or civil lawsuit against the dog’s owner. By taking this action, you can pursue compensation to cover your losses and expenses related to the bite incident.
Before you take any other action, however, your attorney will need to investigate what happened, collect evidence, and prove your damages. If you trust the Bressman Law team with your case, we will launch a thorough investigation that allows us to identify all available evidence and document it so we can use it as leverage in your case. This may include:
- Police report or animal control report about the incident
- Eyewitness testimony
- Video of the attack
- Photographs of the dog, your injuries, and the scene of the incident
- Torn clothing, broken items, and other similar evidence
- Your relevant medical records
- Medical expert testimony about your ongoing and future care needs
- Documentation of your related expenses and losses
Only once we have a solid case to prove the owner is liable can we take action. We may be able to file an insurance claim based on the dog owner’s homeowner insurance policy, or we can pursue a civil suit to try to recover a payout on your behalf.
Recoverable Damages in a Central Ohio Dog Bite Case
If our team can hold the dog’s owner liable for the animal’s bad behavior through an insurance claim or civil lawsuit, you could receive a payout. The value of this payout will depend on the damages we documented during our investigation of your injuries. While they differ in each case, they could include:
- Medical treatment, including ambulance transportation and emergency department triage
- Ongoing care costs, if necessary
- Future care costs, including plastic surgery
- Prescription medications
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages, if your loved one died as a result of dog bite injuries
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Time Limits on Holding a Dog Owner Liable for a Dog Bite in Ohio
In most cases, Ohio allows six years to build our argument against the dog owner, attempt to negotiate an out-of-court settlement and decide if we need to file a case in civil court. In some rare cases, we could have more time. This usually only occurs when the victim is a child. In these cases, we have six years from the date they turn 18 to take legal action.
Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to file a case in civil court and hold the dog owner liable. It is imperative we do not let this opportunity expire. We need to get started on your dog bite case as soon as possible before evidence becomes more difficult to collect and it becomes more difficult to prove your case. Do not hesitate to call us about your case, even if you are still undergoing treatment for your injuries.
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Let the Bressman Law Team Review Your Ohio Dog Bite Case for Free
At Bressman Law, our team will fight to hold the dog’s owner liable and pursue the compensation you deserve after a central Ohio canine attack. You can expect our team to treat you like a member of our family, answering your questions and addressing your concerns in a timely and compassionate manner. You can count on our team to provide not only legal representation but also support and guidance throughout the process.
We can explain your right to try to hold the dog’s owner liable and pursue a payout based on your related damages, and we can handle all aspects of your Ohio dog bite case. Let us represent you to the insurance company and the Judge if necessary.
Call (614) 538-1116 today for your complimentary consultation with a member of our Ohio dog bite team.
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