Dogs are generally wonderful and loyal creatures, but sometimes things can go wrong, and a dog can unexpectedly attack an innocent victim. According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. Almost one-fifth of those who are bitten by a dog need medical care.
Unfortunately, dog bites can oftentimes lead to severe injury and sometimes leave harmful scars for the rest of your life. Furthermore, the trauma of an animal attack can result in lasting psychological scars. A victim who once trusted dogs may never be able to enjoy that companionship ever again.
The fact is, pet owners are legally responsible for protecting others from attacks by their pets. Many significant injuries caused by animals are suffered by victims in silence because they are unaware of their legal rights to compensation. You can pursue personal injury damages for your losses through the dog owner’s insurer, or you can lodge a dog bite claim against the owner if have been bitten or attacked.
Ohio Follows Strict liability Law
Section 955.28(B) of the revised Ohio Code specifies that a dog’s master, keeper, or harborer is responsible if:
The conduct of a dog caused an injury.
The wounded person was not trying to commit a criminal offense or trespassing.
The wounded person did not “tease, taunt, or abuse the dog.”
The strict liability laws of Ohio give the survivor more than one opportunity to report an accident and recover damages related to a dog’s actions. You should consider using Ohio’s negligence laws if you do not want to take action under Strict Liability laws.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Dog bite?
Successful dog bite cases can help reimburse all the victim’s expenses resulting from the injury. These include economic damages like medical costs, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Types of compensation you can receive:
Income loss
Medical Bills
Any kind of property loss
Plastic surgery cost
Emotional or mental trauma
Lost wages (if the victim is going to miss work while recovering)
What Makes a Dog Aggressive?
Dogs can bite for a number of reasons, but usually as a reaction to a perceived threat. If the dog finds itself under stress, it can bite to protect itself or its owner. Dogs can bite if they are frightened or if something they love is in danger.
A dog might be sick and may prefer to be left alone. Conversely, a dog may be accustomed to nip during play, even though it may be harmful to humans. Try not to wrestle or taunt dogs, especially those you do not know well. A badly treated or abused dog might become aggressive unexpectedly.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
Try to get medical attention at once after being bitten by a dog. Another crucial step is determining who the owner of the dog is. This will be helpful if you want to sue the dog’s owner, but also because your doctor will want to know what kind of dog bit you, and whether that dog has been appropriately vaccinated.
One of the major areas of concern for victims of dog bites is rabies, an infectious illness that can get transferred to the victim through the dog’s saliva. If the dog is a stray and the animal control personnel is unable to catch it, a victim’s health care provider may require a series of rabies vaccinations.
In short, if you can get medical attention as soon as possible after a dog bite, then you will be able to minimize your losses and maximize your chances of future compensation. After the medical treatment, you can proceed with legal proceedings and contact the nearest animal control office.
Were You Bitten by an Aggressive Dog in Greenville, Ohio?
We understand the mental, physical, and financial trauma that one has to go through after a dog bite, and we make it our goal to help you recover your losses for the damages done by an aggressive dog. If you or someone you know is a victim of a dog bite, it is important to not try to handle this by yourself. Instead, please contact our team of dog bite attorneys here at Kruger & Hodges to schedule an initial free, no-risk consultation with us today.
