Dog owners are required by law to control their pets and handle them with care. If a dog owner or caretaker fails to secure his or her dog and you suffer a bite or other injuries as a result, you can potentially sue for damages.
For assistance with a dog bite case, consider hiring a Dayton dog bite lawyer with the Fitch Law Firm LLC. Our team can be reached at (614) 545-3930. We can help you understand the many laws that apply to dog bite and personal injury cases, as well as what you need in terms of evidence to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. The statute of limitations applies to dog bite cases and personal injury cases of all types in Ohio, so do not hesitate to reach out to us today to initiate the legal process of filing a claim if you have grounds for one.
How Dog Bites Occur
Dog attacks can happen anywhere and to anyone. Attacks are common in public parks, at people’s homes, and on the road. Wherever the paths of strangers and animals overlap, animal attacks can occur.
Dog bites can cause significant pain, injury, and trauma to a victim. As per Ohio law, dog owners, walkers, and other caretakers–sometimes referred to as those who harbor a dog or have control over it–are all required to secure and responsibly care for their animals to prevent attacks or accidents from occurring.
A failure to do so can be classified as a breach of the duty of care. If you own, care for, or harbor a dog, you owe the public a duty of securing it from any harm the dog may cause, and if your dog causes harm, you can be held liable for those damages.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Dayton, call 614-545-3930
Common Injuries
Dog bites can be fatal, especially cases involving young children. Non-fatal injuries often seen in dog bite attacks include:
- Facial injuries
- Scratches and abrasions
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Broken bones
- Traumatic head and/or brain injuries
- Spinal cord, neck, and/or back injuries
How and where a dog attacks you also factor into the severity of the injuries you will likely sustain in the attack. For example, if you are attacked by a dog while riding your bike in the park, you can suffer serious injuries, especially if you fall while riding at high speed. Even non-fatal injuries, such as broken bones and head injuries, can take weeks or months to recover from.
Some dog bite injuries, such as pinched nerves, muscle sprains, and internal organ damage, may not show up until days or weeks after the attack. If you take too long to report your injuries, you may be denied a claim. After the attack, you must gather evidence and undergo a complete physical checkup to rule out or identify any latent injuries that have not yet manifested themselves to protect your physical and financial well-being after your accident.
Dayton Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 614-545-3930
Additional Points Regarding Dog Bite Laws in Ohio
Here are a few additional points you must keep in mind regarding dog bite cases in Ohio.
Suing for a Dog Bite
Ohio is an at-fault state, and you can sue for a dog bite injury. Injuries sustained in a dog attack are classified as personal injuries for which you can seek compensation. As long as you were not trespassing or committing a crime when the attack occurred and you were attacked by a dog that you did not provoke, you can sue for damages.
Specific Laws
Some states follow a “one-bite rule” in which dog owners or other parties may not be held liable for their dog’s first attack or bite. Alternatively, Ohio is a strict liability state, and you can be held responsible for the actions of your dog, even if it never attacked anyone in the past. As per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §955.28, a dog that chases or menacingly approaches someone, attempts to bite or endanger someone, injures or kills someone, or attacks other animals can be killed at the time of the attack.
This statute goes on dictating that the owner, keeper, or harborer of the dog in question is liable for damages in the event of an attack, including any injuries, death, or losses to people or properties that result. The only exclusion is if those losses occurred when the victim of the attack was committing or was attempting to commit a crime other than a minor misdemeanor or was teasing, harassing, or abusing the dog on the property of the owner, caretaker, or harborer.
Statutes of Limitations
Dog bite injuries are a form of personal injury, and ORC §2305.10 gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for your dog bite injuries. If you miss your filing deadline, you may forfeit your right to any compensation that you otherwise may have been entitled to. A Dayton dog bite lawyer can help you meet the two-year deadline. Contact the Fitch Law Firm LLC today. Our offices can be reached at (614) 545-3930. We provide free consultations at no upfront cost.
Contact the Fitch Law Firm, LLC for Legal Assistance
Dog bite cases–and the laws that govern them–can be complicated. Decisions regarding fault, liability, and damages for dog bites will factor in how the attack you were involved in occurred, who was responsible for the animal in question when you were attacked, and where you were attacked. Various premises laws and dog handling ordinances may also come into play, and you also need to quantify your damages and understand the insurance laws that apply to your case before filing a claim or a lawsuit.
We are here to help. The Fitch Law Firm LLC and our Dayton dog bite lawyer can help you with collecting evidence, interviewing eyewitnesses, and filing a claim. Contact our team today at (614) 545-3930 for a free consultation.
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