Lucas County Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites and animal attacks occur at a much higher rate than most people know. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Dog bite injuries are not only traumatic and painful, but can also have devastating consequences aside from blood loss and scarring, as the sites of dog bites can easily become infected, leaving victims open to the effects of dangerous diseases. To ensure that you do not end up footing the bill for expensive medical bills related to your own dog bite injury, please contact one of our experienced Lucas County dog bite attorneys for advice about filing your own claim against the animal’s owner.

Dog Bite Injuries

Those who are attacked by animals often suffer lacerations, puncture wounds, muscle and tissue damage, and serious scarring. While most people know that dog bites can cause this level of pain and injury, few are aware that they can also spread dangerous bacteria and parasites. In fact, as many as 18 percent of all dog bites become infected with bacteria, which is unsurprising, as over 60 different types of bacteria can be found in the mouths of dogs. The diseases that are most commonly transmitted via bite, include:

• Capnocytophaga, which is a type of bacteria passed from animals through bites and scratches and can cause serious infections for those with weakened immune systems;
• Rabies, which is a fatal neurologic disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through an infected animal bite and is especially dangerous because symptoms often don’t appear until months after exposure;
• Pasteurellosis, which is a bacterial disease that is found in 50 percent of those with infected dog bite wounds and can cause swollen glands, swelling in the joints, and difficulty moving;
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a type of staph infection that causes skin, lung, and urinary tract infections, and can even spread to the bloodstream; and
• Tetanus, which is toxin that is produced by a specific type of bacteria and is especially common in those with deep bite wounds who may suffer from rigid paralysis.

Treating these types of diseases, in addition to the surgeries and emergency treatment that so often accompany dog bites can be financially crippling for victims and their families, so it is critical for those who have been bitten to speak with an attorney about collecting compensation from the animal’s owner.

Ohio Dog Bite Law

In Ohio, a dog’s owner can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by the animal. This means that injured parties do not need to prove that the animal’s owner was negligent in order to recover damages, but will automatically be permitted to collect compensation if they can prove that the defendant’s animal caused their injury and that:

• They were not attempting to commit a crime;
• They were not trespassing; and
• They did not provoke the animal by teasing or abusing it.

Alternatively, dog bite victims are permitted to file claims against the animal’s owner based on negligence, which requires proof that the owner did not use reasonable care to control the animal.

The Legal Representation You Deserve

To speak with an experienced Lucas County dog bite lawyer about your own dog bite claim, please call Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC at 419-241-5500. Initial case evaluations are conducted free of charge.