When a dog bites a person, it can cause lasting physical and emotional damage. In addition, dog bites almost always require medical care, and the expenses related to treating them can add up quickly.
Under Ohio law, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner liable for the injuries you suffered as well as related expenses. If you or your child suffer dog bite injuries, a dog bite lawyer serving Union County, OH, from Bressman Law can help you pursue damages to cover your expenses and losses.
Types of Central Ohio Dog Bite Injury Cases
Almost all dog bite injuries require immediate medical care. The risk of infection is high if you do not get prompt medical care to have the wound cleaned. In this way, even minor dog bites can be serious. Go to a walk-in clinic or emergency department immediately. If necessary, do not hesitate to call an ambulance. A dog bite lawyer serving Union County can file a claim to pursue the cost of the trip along with your other medical expenses.
The injuries sustained in a dog bite incident can vary widely but could include:
- Puncture wounds
- Soft tissue damage
- Damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments
- Broken bones
- Infection
- Amputation
- Scarring and limited range of motion
- Emotional and mental scarring
A dog bite lawyer can help you pursue compensation to cover your medical treatment and other losses. This could even include any necessary ongoing and future care costs, such as plastic surgery to reduce the appearance of scarring.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite attorney in Union County, call (614) 538-1116
What to Do After a Dog Bite
While a lot may be going on in your mind after a dog bite, it’s essential to keep calm and follow the steps below.
Consult a Doctor
If you have a puncture wound or a more serious injury, you should seek medical attention immediately. Some dogs are not vaccinated against rabies, and puncture wounds might get infected. To further document the harm, take photographs of your wounds before they are treated.
Get in Touch With the Dog’s Owner and Exchange Information
You should exchange contact information with the dog’s owner so that you may contact them if the dog bites you. It’s critical that you learn everything you can about the dog, including their vaccination history. You should also take down the owner’s name, address, and breed of dog.
Speak With Witnesses and Animal Control Officers
Obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the dog bite. Eye witness accounts might help you get a more accurate picture of what transpired.
To aid your case and prevent future dog bites, you should also report the dog bite to your local animal control as soon as possible after the incident.
Keep a Record of Your Injuries
What to do after a dog bite should also include documentation. Compile notes of injuries caused by the bite and the events that led to the incident.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Union County
Attorneys who specialize in this area handle insurance claims, settlements, and litigation concerning dog bites. These attorneys are generally skilled at determining the right amount of compensation for a dog attack victim.
It is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as possible in order to secure just compensation.
Union County Dog Bite Attorney (614) 538-1116
Is the Dog’s Owner Liable in the Event of a Dog Bite?
If the dog’s actions caused the harm, the injured person was not committing a crime, and the injured person was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog, a dog owner can be held liable for a dog bite under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28.
Strict Liability
Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. If a dog attacks someone in Union County, the owner may be held liable even if they had no previous knowledge or warning that their dog would bite someone or was not negligent.
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Let A Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Union County Pursue the Compensation You Deserve
Dog bite claims in Union County can be stressful and overwhelming. When you suffer injuries, you may not be sure how to hold the at-fault party liable. With the help of a lawyer like David Bressman, with 30 years of personal injury experience, you can pursue the compensation you deserve after a Union County dog bite incident.
Pursuing damages on your behalf may require your legal team to negotiate a fair settlement agreement or file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. As a part of this process, you can expect them to take many steps to build a solid case and prepare for court. This includes:
- Answering your questions and addressing your concerns as soon as possible
- Protecting your right to recovery by managing all communication related to your case
- Investigating your case, including collecting and analyzing evidence such as any prior Dog Warden reports to establish liability for the dog bite
- Documenting your related losses and expenses
- Taking legal action, when necessary
Once a dog bite lawyer in Union County, OH builds a strong case to support recovering a payout for you, we are ready to take legal action. If they cannot reach an out-of-court settlement, your Union County dog bite lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case before a judge and jury. If you win the verdict, you will receive an award that covers some or all of your accident-related damages.
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Recoverable Damages in a Union County, OH, Dog Bite Case
The goal of filing a claim or taking legal action following a dog bite incident is to hold the dog’s owner liable. When the owner is liable for a dog bite, you can recover compensation to cover your expenses and losses stemming from the attack. While these damages can differ widely depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors, they may include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are monetary and tangible. You can receive compensation for:
- Ambulance transportation
- Medical treatment costs
- Ongoing care costs
- Future care costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Related out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not monetary. You can receive compensation for injuries like pain and suffering or mental anguish.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your family member passed away following injuries in a dog bite incident, Ohio law may allow you to pursue additional damages by filing a wrongful death claim. A legal team can review your case and explain your eligibility. They can pursue the full range of damages you deserve.
You Have a Limited Time to Take Legal Action Against the Dog’s Owner in Ohio
In Ohio, you have six years from the date of the bite or attack to bring suit. However, if you’re bitten before you turn 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.
A dog bite lawyer can review your case and help you understand the time constraints.
To ensure you do not run out of time, we encourage you to reach out to a law firm as soon as possible after a dog bite incident. They can get started investigating your case right away. This allows us time to build a strong argument and prepare for court or settlement negotiations.
Talk to a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Union County, OH
The Bressman Law team can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation on your behalf after a Union County dog bite incident. Let us review your case for free, answer your questions, and build a strong case for recovering the damages you deserve.
Call us today to discuss your case with a dog bite lawyer serving Union County, OH, during your free initial consultation.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
