In Ohio, you have six years from the date of the bite or attack to bring suit. If you were bitten before you turned 18, you have six years from your 18th birthday in which to file. After that time, you lose your right to file a lawsuit and claim compensation. If you do not file a lawsuit before the second anniversary of the attack, the civil court will likely prevent you from taking the dog’s owner to court over the incident later.
If you need to pursue damages to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, it is imperative that you meet this deadline. We will review the facts of your case for free. Only in rare instances will they extend this period. If it has been more than six years after a dog bite, we can review your case to determine if you may meet an exception.
Understanding How We Pursue Damages After an Ohio Dog Bite Incident
There are many steps we need to take before we can file a lawsuit, so we recommend calling us as soon as possible after a bite. The process to build a strong case can take time. We need to:
Investigate the Incident
We investigate every case we handle. This allows us to collect and analyze evidence to support our claim. Without a thorough investigation, it would not be possible to present a solid case for a settlement agreement or to argue for your best interests in court. As a part of the investigation, we will:
- Interview witnesses
- Request any available video of the incident
- Survey the scene of the attack
- Determine who is liable for your dog bite
- Obtain copies of your relevant medical records
- Search for any previous incidents involving the dog
- Identify any other evidence available that could support your case
Calculate a Fair Settlement Value
As a part of our investigation, we will also collect documentation of your expenses and losses related to the dog bite. This could include medical bills, proof of time away from work, parking receipts at medical appointments, and much more. We will use this documentation to prove your economic expenses and put a value on your non-economic losses.
Only once we complete this step can we understand what a fair settlement value might be in your case. This allows us to negotiate with the dog owner and their insurer to try to reach a settlement agreement that meets your needs.
Pursue Compensation in Your Case
We prepare every case to go to court. If there is not an early out-of-court settlement in your case, we will file a lawsuit in civil court on your behalf. This is sometimes enough to prompt the dog’s owner to offer a fair settlement. If there is no settlement agreement, we will take your case in front of the judge. We will present the evidence we found and argue for a payout to cover your damages.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Recoverable Damages in an Ohio Dog Bite Case
Dog bite injuries are not always minor. Some can be serious and leave the victim with scarring and permanent impairments. No matter their severity, all dog bites require immediate medical care to reduce the risk of infection. Because a dog’s mouth has so much bacteria, bite victims need to have a medical professional clean the wound before it begins to heal. These medical care costs are just one of the recoverable damages in these cases.
Others include:
- Ambulance transportation from the scene
- Ongoing care costs for serious and life-changing injuries
- Future care costs such as plastic surgery to reduce scarring
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damages, if applicable
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages following a fatal attack
Let Bressman Law Go to Work on Your Ohio Dog Bite Lawsuit
At Bressman Law, Ohio dog bite attorney David Bressman and his team will protect your right to recover damages following an Ohio dog bite incident. We treat every client like a member of our family, fighting for the payout you deserve. To ensure we can pursue compensation in your case, we need to get started as soon as possible. Call us today at (614) 538-1116 for a complimentary initial consultation with our team.
Bressman Law handles dog bite cases based on a contingency fee. You will not owe us attorney’s fees unless we recover damages in your case. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to us in the first weeks or months following a dog bite incident. Our case reviews are always free, and we can answer any questions you may have about your case at that time.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
