Dog bites can occur in many different ways. Whether it was a friendly encounter gone bad or a more vicious attack. Either way dog bites have the ability to leave you or a loved one severely injured or exposed to potential disease.
Sustaining a dog bite is traumatizing. It is estimated over 4.5 million dog bites happen each year. The point is that they’re not exactly a rare event.
Dog bites are something that can leave a lasting impact on your life or the life of your child. For this reason, justice should be sought and financial compensation should be paid when necessary. This is where a good dog bite attorney in Hamilton, Ohio will come in handy.
If you wish to receive compensation for an injury, medical bills, and any other ongoing suffering that has occurred as a result of a dog bite you will need help from a personal injury lawyer.
You Have Options
When you are bitten by a dog, it can often feel like a chaotic and traumatic event. If possible remain calm and assess the medical treatment needed. When safety is ensured the most basic course of action will be to file an insurance claim against the pet owner, so do your best to trade information at the scene of the incident, just as you would in a car accident.
An experienced liability and personal injury attorney will then talk with the insurance company for you to ensure you receive fair compensation depending on the circumstances of the incident.
Depending on how the claims process goes, you may need to file a lawsuit against the pet owner. This is a way to receive compensation for the dog bite.
What Happens to the Dog?
When a dog bites a child, the situation is highly emotional for everyone involved. While some bites are minor, others can cause severe physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma, especially for children who are more vulnerable due to their size and inability to defend themselves. Facial injuries, puncture wounds, and broken bones are common, and many children develop anxiety or PTSD following an attack. In addition to medical treatment, therapy may be needed, adding financial strain on families.
After a dog bite, parents should prioritize medical care and report the incident to local authorities. Documenting the injuries, gathering witness statements, and consulting a personal injury attorney are crucial steps to protect the child’s rights and seek compensation if necessary. As for the dog’s fate, whether it is put down depends on state laws and the specifics of the attack. In Ohio and Kentucky, factors such as the severity of the bite, the dog’s history of aggression, and potential owner negligence are considered.
While immediate euthanasia is uncommon, dangerous dogs may be subject to restrictions, quarantine, or legal action to prevent future attacks.
Proving a Dog Bite Case
There are varying degrees of difficulty in proving liability for a dog bite. Your lawyer will know all local laws pertaining to pets in the area you were bitten.
Some jurisdictions will hold an owner liable if the dog has bitten someone before or has an aggressive history. In general, dog owners have a responsibility to the public to ensure their animal can’t hurt someone if the victim is in a public place.
It’s possible that multiple parties are responsible for your injuries. A property owner, business owner, dog owner, keeper, or harborer could all be held financially accountable.
At The Richards Firm, we are experienced in representing injured parties in dog bite cases as well as many other personal injury incidents. Being bitten by a dog is never a fun experience. We are passionate about helping you obtain justice and the compensation that you deserve.
We can be reached at 513-868-2731, ext. 219 or visit our contact page here.