What to Know About Ohio Dog Bite Claims

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over four million dog bites every year. Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience, even if it is only a minor wound. If you or someone you love were injured due to a dog bite, you might be wondering who will pay for your damages. Do not attempt to pursue a personal injury claim on your own; let an experienced Ohio dog bite lawyer help.

At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we have years of experience helping Ohio clients with all their injury needs, including dog bite claims. Ohio law holds dog owners strictly liable for any damages their dog causes. You have the right to recover compensation for all your damages.

Common Types of Injuries in an Ohio Dog Bite Case

We typically see injuries to the face, head, neck, hand, arm, leg, or foot with dog bites. The most common injuries are:

• Puncture wounds,
• Subsequent infections,
• Cuts and scratches,
• Fractures,
• Dislocations,
• Tearing (avulsion),
• Amputations,
• Skull injuries, and
• Scarring.

In some cases, victims require one or more reconstructive surgeries for their injuries. You do not want to resolve your matter too early on; otherwise, you may not know the extent of your injuries yet. If you sign a release of all claims and find out two weeks later that you need multiple surgeries, you cannot go back to the dog owner’s insurance to ask for additional compensation.

Reporting Requirements for Dog Bites

You must report a dog bite to your local health commissioner within 24 hours, per the Ohio administrative code. The main reason for this is to find out whether the animal has its proper vaccines or could be carrying rabies. To decide, they may need to quarantine the dog for a few days or more.

Possible Dog Owner Defenses

You need to be prepared for the dog owner to retain an attorney, and they may present a defense to try and avoid paying your claim. In Ohio, there are three primary defenses a dog owner might assert in your case:

• Provocation: The owners will claim you provoked the dog, and that is why it attacked you. If they can show you provoked the dog, you will not recover compensation.
• Trespassing: The dog owner might claim that you were trespassing at the time of the attack.

• Criminal Conduct: If you were in the act of committing a crime when attacked, you could be prohibited from recovering compensation, as well.

 Contact an Ohio Dog Bite Lawyer

If you need assistance after a dog bite injury in Ohio, contact Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC today to schedule an initial consultation. Let our skilled personal injury lawyers help you fight for the compensation you deserve.