When a dog attacks, the experience can be incredibly traumatic. Beyond any physical injuries you may sustain, dog bite victims also often suffer severe psychological harm. If you were bitten by a dog, recovering money from the liable party can be critical for paying your medical bills and other expenses. Fortunately, an experienced dog bite lawyer in Defiance can help.
At Groth & Associates, our team of experienced Defiance personal injury lawyers has been helping dog bite victims in Defiance for decades. We will use every resource available to help ensure you get the money you need to put your life back together. Get in touch with us to set up a free initial case consultation with a member of our legal staff today.
Liability Laws Concerning Dog Bites in Ohio
When attempting to recover damages after a dog bite in Ohio, it is critical that you understand all the laws that apply to your case. There are two main approaches to pursuing compensation in a dog bite case. The damages you are eligible to pursue will depend on which avenue you choose.
Strict Liability
Under Section 955.28 of the Ohio Revised Code, dog owners have strict liability for any damages or injuries caused by their pets. With strict liability, an injury victim can recover damages from the dog’s owner without needing to prove fault. There is no need to prove that the owner was negligent in any efforts to prevent an attack.
This law makes owners liable for the actions of their dogs. Owners have a duty to take proactive measures to prevent any attacks from occurring. While securing compensation through strict liability is the easiest way to recover money, the damages you can collect under strict liability will be limited and may not cover the full extent of your damages.
Common Law Negligence
With Ohio’s common law, dog bite victims have the right to pursue compensation based on the negligent or deliberately hostile actions of the owner of the dog that bit you.
While it will be more difficult to prove that the owner acted negligently or encouraged their dog to attack you, if you are able to do so, the amount of money you can recover will be greater. An experienced attorney can review the details of your case to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue a lawsuit under Ohio common law.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Defiance, call (419) 930-3030
Damages You Can Recover With the Help of an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney Serving Defiance
After sustaining injuries caused by a dog bite, you will likely be able to pursue a variety of damages. An experienced dog bite lawyer serving Defiance can help you determine the specific damages that apply to your case to help you recover maximum compensation. The damages most often available in dog bite cases include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning ability
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
In a small number of cases, punitive damages may be available as well. The court reserves punitive damages for extreme cases involving intentional harm or criminal negligence. Punitive damages differ from compensatory damages in that they are meant to punish the at-fault party rather than compensate the injured victim for their losses.
If a dog attack resulted in the death of a loved one, a Defiance wrongful death lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim to secure several types of damages, including funeral and burial expenses.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Get to Work on Your Case Early for the Best Chance of a Positive Case Result
When attempting to recover compensation following a dog bite, you must get started as soon as possible to put yourself in the best position to get the money you need. Any delays can lead to evidence being lost or corrupted. Additionally, any testimony from eyewitnesses will be less reliable the further removed from the time of the attack.
Hiring an attorney soon after that attack is the best way to ensure you meet all the applicable deadlines. The Ohio personal injury statute of limitations generally grants dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you don’t file before the deadline, you may be out of options for pursuing compensation.
However, you also need to realize that exceptions may apply that can alter the standard deadline. An experienced Defiance dog bite attorney from Groth & Associates will work to identify the exact deadline for your case and will complete and file all the required documents correctly and on time.
Secure the Services of an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in Defiance Today
After being bitten by a dog and incurring severe injuries, securing fair compensation from the party liable for your damages can be critical. Both your physical and psychological health can be harmed as a result of an attack, and the related medical expenses can overwhelm you. Hiring an experienced lawyer is the best way to improve your odds of getting the money you need.
At Groth & Associates, our experienced team of Defiance dog bite accident lawyers will do everything we can to ensure you recover the money you need to help get your life back on track. Contact us by using our chat tool, giving us a call, or completing our online contact form to set up a free initial case consultation with someone from our legal staff.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form