You don’t have to let negligent dog owners get away with letting their dogs behave badly. If you come away from an interaction with a dog with bite wounds or other injuries, you can take an offending owner to civil court. The dog bite lawyers in Findlay can help you outline your right to accident compensation before defending your best interests in court.
Groth & Associates wants dog bite victims like you to make the most out of the legal rights afforded to you in the face of someone else’s negligence. You can meet with our Findlay personal injury lawyers free of charge to learn more about the different ways the civil process benefits your best interests. Contact us today for more information.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Accident
You don’t have to accept the consequences of a dog bite accident without fighting for your right to a fair recovery. If you believe that the dog owner’s negligence allowed your accident to take place, you can demand that said dog owner pay for your recovery. The people taking care of a dog – i.e., dog borders or professional pet sitters – may also assume liability for your losses.
Ohio state law allows you to take legal action against the party you believe to bear the blame for your losses. However, you can only initiate that action if you file a personal injury claim against the offending party. You must bring a completed claim forward within Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations, or else you may waive your right to compensation.
A completed claim needs to go into detail about:
- The identity of the party responsible for your accident
- The negligence that you believe led to your accident
- The losses you endured due to that negligence
- The evidence you have defending all of your points
Filing a dog bite accident claim does not obligate you to go to trial. If a judge moves your dog bite case forward, you can meet with the liable party to negotiate for the financial support you deserve. It’s up to you to determine how your case progresses – but that process can’t start until you file your claim.
When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Findlay
According to Ohio Revised Code section 2305.10, you have two years from the day you were bit to take legal action against a dog’s negligent owner. You can contact our attorneys at any point in that two-year period to request representation.
Dog bites tend to leave you with serious injuries, though. Treating those injuries tends to take up a considerable amount of time, possibly limiting your opportunities to compile a personal injury claim.
If you’re struggling to bring your claim together, or you’d rather put the responsibility for building a claim in someone else’s hands, it’s best to call an attorney as soon as possible. Findlay-based legal representatives can oversee an investigation into your dog bite accident while you focus on going to the doctor and getting back to work.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Findlay, call (419) 930-3030
Assigning Liability for a Dog Bite
Evidence tends to play a defining role in a dog bite accident case. Data from the scene of an accident helps you assign liability for your losses and establish the value of your losses.
If a liable party argues that you were antagonizing a dog at the time of an accident, the state’s civil judges may deny you your right to fight for accident compensation. Likewise, if the owner can accuse you of trespassing, you may struggle to bring your case forward in civil court.
A Findlay dog bite lawyer can break down the different ways the exceptions outlined in Ohio Revised Code 955.28 (B) may impact your case as they investigate the negligence that led to your accident.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
A Dog Owner’s Responsibilities After a Dog Bite Accident
Dog owners have specific obligations that they must uphold regardless of whether or not a civil judge finds them liable for your losses. According to Ohio Revised Code § 955.22, dog owners must register an aggressive dog as a “dangerous dog” after a biting incident.
Likewise, Ohio Revised Code § 955.261 states that dog owners and their dogs must remain in the county where the accident took place.
That said, even violent dogs benefit from some small protections. No one may advocate for a violent dog’s death unless veterinary professionals prove that the dog poses an immediate health threat to the surrounding community. Likewise, you do not have the right to initiate criminal proceedings against a negligent owner – only the state can.
The state may investigate a violent dog’s circumstances following your accident. If the state suspects that a violent dog may be part of an illegal breeding or fighting ring, a prosecutor may call on you to testify in criminal court.
Let Groth & Associates Defend Your Best Interests
You deserve comprehensive representation after a dog bite accident. Don’t go into settlement negotiations without the support you deserve. You can meet with Findlay dog bite attorneys free of charge or learn more about the legal rights you have when contending with the aftermath of dog owner negligence.
Groth & Associates wants to make it as easy as possible for you to get back on your feet again after a dog bite accident. That’s why our attorneys work on contingency. We only get paid for your dog bite case if we win you comprehensive accident compensation. You can contact us today to learn more about the different ways our services can benefit you.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form