Dog Bite Attorney

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States.  While some dog bites may result in only minor injury, others can cause serious injury or even death.  Dog bite victims often incur medical expenses, experience pain and suffering and sometimes miss work and lose wages as a result.  The injured may also sustain permanent scarring and may sometimes require cosmetic surgery, or both.  Under the old English Common Law, which is still followed in some states, the rule was sometimes expressed that "every dog is entitled to one bite".  That is a simplistic way of saying that the owner of a dog could not be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by his dog until such time as he was on notice of his dog's vicious tendencies.  After the first bite, however, and thereafter, the dog owner is put on notice that his dog poses a danger to others and he must take reasonable precautions to prevent future injuries.  This is not to suggest that the owner of a dog under the Common Law is actually entitled to "one free bite" before liability attaches for the injury, because the owner may have already been aware of the vicious tendencies of his canine due to other experiences not resulting in an actual bite.  In the State of Ohio the victim of a dog bite does not need to prove that the owner of a dog acted negligently in order to receive compensation for the injuries and damages caused by a dog bite.  In Ohio, the owner of a dog is liable for the injuries and damages caused by his dog even though the dog had never bitten before or demonstrated any vicious propensities.  In Ohio, the owner of a dog is liable for the damages caused by his dog even if the owner was otherwise taking reasonable precautions.  In Ohio the owner of a dog is considered to be "strictly liable" for the injuries and damages caused by his dog.  In fact, under Ohio's dog bite statute, a person does not have to even own the dog to be liable for injuries and damages caused by a dog if it can be proven that the person in charge of the dog was the "keeper" or "harborer" of the dog when the injury occurred.  There are exceptions, however, where strict liability would not apply under Ohio's dog bite statute.  If it can be proven that the person injured by the dog was committing or attempting to commit a criminal trespass or other criminal offense, other than a minor misdemeanor, on the property of the owner, keeper or harborer at the time of the injury, or was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor against any person, or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner's, keeper's, or harborer's property, than strict liability would not apply.  As with most injury claims, the law of the State of Ohio limits the amount of time that a dog bite victim has to settle or file a law suit to preserve their injury claim.  In Ohio, the time limitation, or Statue of Limitations, is within six (6) years from the date of the occurrence if the person injured was an adult at the time of the dog bite.  If the person injured was under 18 years of age at the time of the dog bite, the time limitation for bringing a lawsuit, is six (6) years from their 18th birthday.

If you or your minor child has been bitten by a dog, CONTACT OUR OFFICE and schedule a FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION to discuss your case.  Like all personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice cases, we represent victims of dog bites on a contingent fee basis.  In other words, there is NO ATTORNEY FEE UNLESS YOU PREVAIL.  

Call us at (937)224-7625(ROCK), or at (855)206-7628, or complete the form below to receive a FREE INITIAL and CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION.

Please describe your legal issue in the form above.  Please do not include confidential or sensitive information.

DISCLAIMER:  The use of the internet or the above form for communication with this law office or any member of this law office does not establish an attorney-client relationship until such time as an attorney-client relationship is established.  Confidential or time sensitive information should not be sent with this form.