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Receive Justice For Your Dog Bite-Related Injuries You Sustained In Ohio

Being attacked by an animal can be a horrifying and debilitating experience. Often, animal attacks occur suddenly, and the victim becomes stunned and has no time to prevent or minimize the attack. If you or a loved one were attacked and injured by an animal in Ohio, you might be entitled to compensation.

It is incredibly important to speak with an experienced Ohio dog bite attorney about handling an animal attack claim. Animal owners in Ohio are strictly liable for their pets’ actions. This means that if you were bitten, you do not have to prove that the owner was negligent.

At Karp Steiger, our team of dedicated dog bite injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding the attack to determine if additional parties may be at fault, such as a kennel, animal sitter, property owner, or landlord. We will leave no stone unturned in determining what party is at fault and will vigorously advocate for our clients to ensure a just result and adequate compensation.

Our attorneys truly and fully understand the serious impact these injuries can have on all individuals. Many times, animal attacks and bites require reconstructive surgery, scar care and prevention, other types of plastic surgeries, and potential treatment for rabies or other diseases.

Pursuing treatment and medical care following an animal attack can be expensive, time-consuming, and embarrassing for the victim of the attack.

What Is A Dog Bite?

A dog bite refers to an incident where a dog uses its teeth to break the skin or cause injury to a person or another animal. Dog bites can vary in severity, ranging from minor puncture wounds to more serious injuries that require medical attention or even surgery.

What Are The Six Levels Of Dog Bite Injury Severity?

When evaluating aggression in dogs, animal behaviorists utilize a scale comprising six levels to assess the severity of dog bites.

Level 1 Bite

Level 1 indicates the presence of aggressive behavior in a dog, but it does not involve the dog’s teeth making direct contact with a person’s skin.

Level 2 Bite

A Level 2 Bite refers to a situation where the dog’s teeth make contact with the person’s skin, but without puncturing it.

Level 3 Bite

In a Level 3 Bite, there will be 1 to 4 tooth punctures in the skin, none of which are deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.

Level 4 Bite

A Level 4 Bite refers to bites that cause 1 to 4 punctures from a single bite, with at least one of the punctures going deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. This indicates that the dog should not be in the presence of people or other animals until it has been assessed by a professional.

Level 5 Bite

Dogs categorized at Level 5 have either caused multiple Level 4 Bites or have been involved in more than one attack. These dogs are considered unsafe to be around people or other animals.

Level 6 Bite

A Level 6 Bite refers to a situation where the bite results in the death of a person or animal.

What Are The Most Common Dog Bite Injuries?

When you or someone you know is confronted by a dog attack, ensuring personal safety and well-being should be the immediate concern. Make every effort to distance yourself from or control the dog. It’s important to note that Ohio law safeguards individuals from legal liability if they injure or fatally harm the dog while defending themselves or others.

After ensuring safety, seeking prompt medical attention becomes the next priority. Dog attacks can result in serious and even life-threatening injuries. Some of the frequently observed injuries from dog bites include:

  • Broken bones
  • Muscle, tendon, and ligament tears
  • Puncture wounds
  • Deep cuts and permanent scarring
  • Nerve injuries
  • Rabies
  • Bacterial or viral infections

It is crucial to receive appropriate medical care to address these injuries and reduce the risk of complications.

What To Do If You Have Been Bitten By A Dog In Ohio?

If you or a member of your family have experienced a dog bite from someone else’s dog, follow these steps to safeguard your legal rights and explore options for seeking compensation for your injuries and related losses:

Inform The Dog’s Owner About Your Injury

If you can locate the dog’s owner, report the attack to them. Obtain the owner’s contact details as well as their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. This information will be useful if you choose to pursue a claim for compensation in the future.

Dial 911

If you suspect that the dog involved in the attack may be aggressive or carrying a disease, it is important to take immediate action. Call 911 or contact animal control to report the incident and seek assistance locating and capturing the dog. This proactive step can help prevent further injuries to others and ensure the necessary precautions are taken.

Keep A Record Of The Incident And Document Your Injuries

If it is applicable, consider taking photographs of the accident scene. For instance, if the dog responsible for the attack escaped from a neighboring yard, capture images that illustrate the type of fencing or barriers in place to contain the dog. Additionally, photograph any visible injuries you have sustained as a result of the incident.

These photographs can serve as valuable evidence in documenting the circumstances and the extent of your injuries.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by visiting the emergency room or an urgent care clinic after a dog bite incident. Dogs can carry harmful viruses and bacteria in their mouths, and it is important to ensure that your bite wound is properly cleaned.

A healthcare professional will be able to provide appropriate medical treatment, including medications and vaccines, to prevent any potential diseases, such as rabies, that the dog may have transmitted through the bite. Prioritizing prompt medical care helps protect your health and reduces the risk of complications.

Consult With A Reputable Attorney

Our accomplished Beachwood dog bite attorney is available to provide guidance on your legal rights and the various options you have for seeking compensation for your injuries and damages resulting from a dog bite. Additionally, we can offer a clear explanation of the necessary steps involved in pursuing a claim for a dog bite injury.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For My Dog Bite Injury?

In many instances, dog bite injuries are caused by dogs owned by individuals known to the victim, such as family membersfriends, or neighbors. When you have been harmed by a dog owned by someone you have a relationship with, you might feel hesitant about pursuing a legal compensation claim.

Concerns about damaging your relationship with them could arise when seeking compensation through a legal process. However, it’s important to understand that you should not be held responsible for injuries that were not your fault.

Fortunately, in most cases involving dog bite injuries, the owner’s homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, or animal insurance policy typically covers the compensation. These insurance policies often provide liability coverage for injuries occurring on the owner’s property, including dog bites.

Your family member, friend, or neighbor likely has insurance coverage in place to protect against injuries sustained on their premises.

What Is Ohio’s Dog Liability Law?

Ohio’s laws prioritize the rights of dog bite victims. According to ORC Section 955.28, dog owners in Ohio are held liable for every dog bite, without the requirement of a “one-bite” rule that exists in some other states. This means that in Ohio, a dog owner can be held responsible for any dog bite, regardless of whether the dog has bitten someone before.

The strict liability laws in Ohio work in favor of the victim, as it eliminates the need to prove the owner’s negligence. Instead, you simply need to establish that the owner, keeper, or harborer had control over the dog at the time of the attack and that the dog bit you.

Furthermore, Ohio’s dog bite law extends beyond actual bites. In certain cases, victims can also hold the owner accountable if the dog exhibits behaviors such as chasing, threatening, harassing, causing injury, or approaching a person with a menacing demeanor or an apparent intention to attack.

How Can I Prove Negligence For My Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Under Ohio negligence laws, you have the option to pursue a claim based on negligence. According to ORC Section 2315.19, negligence claims in Ohio require the following elements to be proven:

  • Demonstrate that the owner, harborer, or keeper of the dog had a responsibility to exercise care toward you. They had a duty to act reasonably and prevent the dog from biting or attacking anyone.
  • Provide evidence that the owner, harborer, or keeper failed to fulfill this duty. For instance, if they allowed the dog to roam without a leash, neglected to secure the dog within a fenced area, or trained the dog to be aggressive, they may be held liable.
  • Establish a direct connection between the dog attack and your resulting injuries. In other words, demonstrate that you wouldn’t have been bitten had the owner not permitted their dog to bite you.
  • Show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the incident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or any other tangible harm you experienced.

You might be wondering why choosing to pursue a claim based on negligence is beneficial. One reason is that it allows you to seek punitive damages as part of your compensation. Punitive damages can be awarded in situations where the owner’s actions intentionally caused the dog to bite you.

What Recoverable Damages Can I Get From My Dog Bite Injury Claim?

The amount of compensation you can receive for your dog bite injuries through a personal injury claim depends on various factors, including the specific circumstances of the incident and other considerations such as insurance policy limits, damage caps, liability exceptions, and any prior injuries.

Depending on the specific details of your case, you may be eligible to receive compensation for various aspects, including:

Medical Expenses

You may be able to recover compensation for the costs associated with medical treatment, including doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.

Lost Income

If the dog bite caused you to miss work or resulted in a decreased earning capacity, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the wages or income you have lost.

Pain And Suffering

Compensation can be sought for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced as a result of the dog bite.

Loss Of Consortium

If the injuries from the dog bite have impacted your relationship with your spouse or family members, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, or support.

Disfigurement

If the dog bite caused significant scarring, disfigurement, or permanent physical damage, you may be able to obtain compensation to address the long-term effects on your appearance and self-esteem.

Punitive Damages

In situations where the dog owner’s behavior was especially careless or deliberate, punitive damages might be available. They are a type of additional compensation awarded to the victim to penalize the party at fault and discourage such recklessness by providing greater teeth behind the law.

What Is Ohio’s Statute Of Limitations For Dog Bite Injury Claims?

The time limit for filing a strict liability claim is six years for adults. In the case of a minor victims, their six-year period starts on their 18th birthday because sometimes it takes time for the full extent of the damage from a dog attack to become apparent.

It’s crucial to file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline, the court can dismiss your case permanently, which means you will lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries.

Why Do I Need A Dog Bite Attorney In Ohio?

Our knowledgeable dog bite attorney in Beachwood, Ohio, at Karp Steiger, can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries and damages resulting from a dog bite by:

  • Collecting evidence related to the attack and your injuries to support your case.
  • Determining the identity of the dog’s owner and assessing the available insurance coverage that can provide compensation for your damages.
  • Collaborating with medical, vocational, and financial experts to strengthen your claim for damages.
  • Engaging in negotiations with insurance companies to seek a fair and comprehensive settlement.
  • Preparing your case for litigation, if required, to ensure you receive the financial recovery you deserve.

If you have experienced a dog bite incident, you can arrange a risk free consultation with our personal injury attorney. Contact us now to schedule an appointment. During the consultation, we will outline how our firm can assist you in obtaining the necessary financial compensation, and rightfully yours.

Seek Help From An Ohio Dog Bite Attorney

At Karp Steiger, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that dog bite incidents can have on individuals and families in Ohio. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is dedicated to helping dog bite victims seek justice and obtain fair compensation for their injuries.

We have a deep understanding of Ohio’s laws regarding dog bites and a proven track record of successfully handling such cases. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite in Ohio, don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable legal team at Karp Steiger.

We offer compassionate guidance and aggressive representation to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Let the attorneys at Karp Steiger assist you if you have been attacked by an animal. We offer free case consultations arranged by phone at 216-696-3515.

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