Dog bites can seemingly happen out of nowhere. Even a dog that you are familiar with can suddenly and devastatingly bite, sometimes for no evident reason. It is important to remember in these situations that this is almost never the fault of the dog, but can be attributed to other situations and occurrences that caused the dog to bite. No matter what happened, if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it is in your best interest to take appropriate action to help ensure you get the financial compensation you deserve after the attack.
Dog Bite Laws in Ohio
For the most part, Ohio law on dog bites is fairly simple. It states that whoever was responsible for the dog at the time of the bite can be held responsible for the dog’s actions. This responsible party can then be held liable for damages incurred by the bite, including medical bills and psychological suffering. This could include the dog’s owner, a dog sitter, a doggy daycare, a dog walker, or any number of people who may have had responsibility for the dog at the time of the attack.
There are a few exceptions for this, such as if the dog was being manipulated by the person who was attacked, or if the person who was attacked was trespassing at the time of the bite. In any case, it is in your best interests to have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side when you are involved with a dog bite, to help you understand the laws and get the most out of your claim.
What Kind of Damage Can a Dog Bite Cause?
Dog bite injuries can vary in both type and severity. Many dog bites are minor, causing surface lacerations that need to be cleaned and bandaged but not much else. In more severe cases, dog bites may cause bone fractures, torn muscles or tendons, or even nerve damage. Any and all dog bites should be checked out by a doctor, not only to be cleaned properly, but so the doctor can determine the severity of the bite and how best to treat it. Depending on the location of the bite, you may be looking at more involved and lengthy treatment, including physical therapy. If tendons, muscles, or ligaments were damaged in the bite, you may need surgery to help repair this damage and give you back the full function of the limb or area of your body that was bitten.
Dog bites can also cause unseen damages that can have long-lasting repercussions. If the dog is rabid, rabies can be transferred to a human and cause severe sickness and even death. The shots to heal and prevent rabies are painful and have to be done in a series instead of all at once. Dog bites can also cause bacterial infections, up to and including sepsis of the blood, which can lead to death.
Can I be Compensated for a Dog Bite?
If you were bitten by a dog that was not yours in Preble County, Ohio, you are almost certainly eligible for compensation both for medical bills and general suffering. Being the victim of a dog bite may also cause psychological problems such as anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder. While you may be inclined to brush off your dog bite injuries as minor, you should never underestimate the amount of lasting trauma that kind of stressful situation can cause.
Were You Bitten by a Dog in Preble County, Ohio?
An experienced lawyer can help you determine and prove who was at fault for the dog bite, whether it was the dog’s owner, someone who was looking after the dog, or someone else. Your attorney will help you prove that you were not provoking the dog or otherwise responsible for the bite. Even if the bite does not seem that severe, and you have been given a clean bill of health by a doctor, it is possible that you will have a lasting psychological impact from the trauma of the attack that may not show up until later.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite in Preble County, Ohio, do not hesitate to contact our offices at Kruger & Hodges, Attorneys at Law, today. We may be able to help you get the much-needed compensation you deserve for your dog bite injuries.
