216-658-5500Call Us Today
216-658-5500Call Us Today
An Akron dog bite lawyer represents people injured in attacks involving dangerous or untrained dogs when negligent handling, leash law violations, or unsafe property conditions contribute to the incident. Dog bite claims can be brought by children, pedestrians, delivery drivers, visitors, and anyone else on public or private property with a legal right to be there.
At Rumizen Weisman Attorneys, we approach dog bite injury cases with an understanding of the physical, financial, and emotional harm these incidents can cause to victims and families.
216-658-5500 Call Us Today
Rumizen Weisman Attorneys advocate for Ohio injury victims in personal injury cases, including dog bites, severe bodily injury, and premises liability cases. Our firm has accumulated over 100 years of combined experience in cases involving medical bills, permanent scarring, infection, and prolonged physical harm.
Attorney Scott A. Rumizen handles all cases personally, rather than sending clients through intake groups or non-lawyer personnel. Rumizen Weisman Attorneys prepare injury claims for negotiation and litigation with a focus on the individual circumstances of each client’s injury and recovery.
Ohio law imposes liability on owners of dogs that cause injury to another person. A dog owner, keeper, or harborer may be liable for injuries caused by the animal’s bite to any person, even if the dog has not previously manifested aggressive behavior. Dog bite claims often include medical bills, lost wages, scarring, infection, and other damages sustained in the attack.
Liability issues may be contested where trespass or provocation may be a factor, or where it may not be clear who had control over the dog. Types of evidence include medical records, witness statements, photographs, animal control reports, and proof of the dog’s ownership.
Children are particularly vulnerable to dog bites, leading to serious injury due to their size and inability to defend themselves when under attack. Injury claims involving children could involve facial injuries, puncture wounds, nerve and tissue damage, infection, and the need for counseling or reconstructive treatment. Dog attacks against children often take place in neighborhoods or apartment buildings, but can also occur in parks or at another person’s property.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, dog bites account for approximately 337,000 emergency visits annually in the United States. Serious injuries can result in treatment at Akron Children’s Hospital or other medical facilities. Dog bite claims related to children or other minors may also include future medical treatment and long-term scarring.
Dog attacks can cause permanent injuries to the face that may need multiple medical treatments and reconstructive surgery. Facial, lip, nose, eye, or ear bites can result in deep cuts, tissue or skin loss, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. Some victims need plastic surgery, skin grafts, scar revision surgeries, or dermatological treatments after a serious attack.
Facial disfigurement injuries may also cause mental trauma, anxiety, and other psychological problems related to physical appearance. Children are often at risk of injuries to the face because dogs often target the parts of the body closest to their height. Medical records, surgical records, and photographs are typically used in dog bite claims where permanent scarring or disfigurement injuries are involved.
Dog bites can present significant medical complications aside from puncture wounds and physical injuries. Infections can occur when bacteria enter the skin, muscles, or bloodstream after an attack. Injuries that also involve torn tendons, crushed tissue, or nerve damage may require surgery. The risk of rabies exposure may be a concern when vaccination records are not available, or the dog cannot be located right after the attack.
In the United States, around 800,000 people require medical attention annually out of roughly 4.7 million bites. Medical records, vaccination records, and animal control reports may be part of the evidence in a dog bite injury claim if infections or delayed medical issues are involved.
Landlords may be held liable for injuries in some dog bite cases in Ohio if they were aware a dangerous dog was on the property and did not take reasonable steps to address the situation. Ohio Revised Code § 955.28 may apply to a dog’s owner, keeper, or harborer, depending on the specific facts of an attack case.
Disputes often turn on whether the landlord had control of the property or knowledge of prior aggression or incidents with an animal. Dog bites or attacks in apartment complexes, duplexes, or rental homes may involve both the dog owner and the property owner. Documentation may include lease agreements, tenant complaints, animal control reports, and witness statements about previous incidents.
Insurance coverage is also commonly disputed in dog bite injury claims. Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies may offer liability coverage for dog attacks. Yet, some policies specifically exclude coverage for particular breeds or dogs with prior bites.
Disputes may also arise over policy limits, coverage denials, or whether the owner properly disclosed the dog to the insurance company. Insurance companies may also challenge the extent of injuries or argue that the victim provoked the attack. Medical records, photos, witness statements, and the language of the insurance policy can become issues at settlement negotiations and during litigation.
The success of a dog bite claim often hinges on evidence detailing the circumstances of the attack and the severity of the injuries sustained. Typical examples of evidence include medical records, photos of injuries, video surveillance, witness testimony, animal control reports, and veterinary vaccination records. Additional evidence of prior aggression or previous complaints involving the dog may also be used in some cases.
Records of lost wages, reconstructive treatment, or permanent scarring can impact damage claims. Preservation of evidence may become a critical issue where the dog owner is denying liability or alleging that the injured person provoked the attack. Prompt medical treatment and reporting can help create records after a dog bite.
A dog bite claim can still be made when a dog attack occurs at a friend’s, relative’s, neighbor’s, or acquaintance’s home. Instead of pursuing the individual owner, most dog bite claims get resolved using a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
Liability may hinge on who was in control of the dog and whether the injured party had permission to be on the property. Attacks within a private residence may still cause serious injuries, medical bills, and insurance coverage disputes.
In Ohio, there’s a strict deadline for dog bite victims to bring a personal injury claim. Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 states that most injury claims must be filed within two years of the attack. A victim can lose their right to compensation in court if they miss a deadline. Medical records, witness testimony, and photographs can also be more difficult to obtain the longer someone waits after a dog attack.
While some dog bite injuries heal without long-term complications, other attacks can lead to lasting physical problems, other attacks have long-term effects. Victims of dog bites can have ongoing issues with pain or stiffness, weak grip, reduced mobility, numbness, or hypersensitivity around the area of scar tissue in severe cases.
Complications with joints, tendons, or nerves may have an impact on a victim’s ability to perform job functions and regular daily activities after the attack.
Immediate medical care after a dog bite in Akron may protect both personal health and legal rights. Reporting the attack to Summit County Public Health or local animal control can also be important. Helpful evidence may include the dog owner’s contact information, vaccination records, witness names, and photographs of the scene.
Acting quickly may preserve evidence before injuries heal or conditions change. Medical records from Akron General or Akron Children’s Hospital may later become important evidence in a claim.
Dog bite injuries often result in medical, financial, and emotional issues that long outlast the attack itself. Some victims need stitches or reconstructive surgery, treatment for infection, or ongoing care for permanent scarring and nerve damage. Ohio dog bite claims may raise issues such as insurance disputes, liability issues, and contested issues regarding the full extent of injuries sustained.
Rumizen Weisman Attorneys represents people in Akron and across Ohio who have been harmed by a dangerous or unleashed dog. Learning about your legal options after a dog bite injury can be a key step in managing growing medical bills, lost wages, and any long-term physical or emotional consequences. Schedule a consultation today to hire a dog bite lawyer.
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