Ohio Dog Bite Strict Liability Law: What Victims Need To Know (guide)

While most people regularly have enjoyable interactions with dogs, any dog can potentially bite and injure someone unexpectedly. If this happens to you or a loved one, the Ohio dog bite strict liability law will likely apply to your case. It’s important to hire a dog bite lawyer who can explain how this law could influence your recovery and to know what to expect as you seek compensation for your damages.

Understanding the Ohio Dog Bite Strict Liability Law

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that there are about 90 million dogs in the US, and about 45% of homes have at least one dog. Each year, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs nationwide, and Ohio ranks in the top ten states with the highest numbers of reported dog attacks. After you or a family member are injured by a dog, you likely have grounds to file a personal injury claim against its owner.

Most personal injury cases pertain to negligence or illegal misconduct that results in a physical injury and/or economic loss. The same is true for dog bite claims, but the Ohio dog bite strict liability law directly pertains to these cases, and it is important to understand how this changes things compared to what you might expect in most other personal injury cases.

Primarily, the Ohio dog bite strict liability law means that you do not necessarily have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent to hold them accountable for the harm their pet caused. You simply need to prove that you did not provoke the attack in any way, that you were not doing anything illegal when the attack occurred, and that you were lawfully present at the location where the attack occurred.

For example, if a person breaks into another person’s home and the homeowner’s dog attacks the intruder, the Ohio dog bite strict liability law would not apply to the homeowner since the intruder was illegally present on private property. Similarly, if someone strikes another person’s dog and the dog retaliates and bites them, strict liability would not apply to the dog’s owner since the attack was provoked.

Claiming Compensation Under the Ohio Dog Bite Strict Liability Law

The goal of a personal injury claim is for the injured plaintiff to hold the defendant accountable for the harm the plaintiff suffered because of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. The AVMA reports that about 334,000 people are treated in US emergency rooms every year for dog bite injuries, and children under 12 account for nearly half of all dog bite injuries nationwide each year.

Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages or acting on behalf of your injured child or other family member, it’s crucial to find an attorney with proven experience handling cases like yours. If the Ohio dog bite strict liability law applies to a personal injury case, proving liability may be more streamlined, but the plaintiff will still need to prove the full extent of the damages they suffered from the dog attack in question.

Your dog bite attorney can help you calculate economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, if the incident resulted in any permanent harm that will prevent you from working for an extended period. Additionally, you have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. Dog attacks can not only result in painful injuries, but also cause tremendous psychological trauma to the victim.

The team at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys can help you understand how the Ohio dog bite strict liability law applies to your case. Our firm has successfully obtained more than $100 million in compensation for our clients, and we’re confident we can help you reach a favorable outcome. Reach out to our firm if you are ready to hire a dog bite lawyer you can trust to assist you with your case.

FAQs

What Are Defenses Against the Ohio Dog Bite Strict Liability Law?

The most commonly used defenses against the Ohio dog bite strict liability law are provocation and trespassing. The victim of a dog attack cannot assert strict liability against the dog owner if they were unlawfully present on private property, or if they provoked the attack in any way. Your dog bite attorney can help you address any disputes from the dog owner against your claim.

What Is a Dog Bite Claim Worth in Ohio?

In Ohio, the value of a dog bite claim depends on the overall severity of the damages the victim suffered. If you can establish strict liability, you can claim compensation for economic damages like medical bills and lost income, and a personal injury plaintiff also has the right to claim compensation for the pain and suffering the defendant has caused. Your attorney can estimate the full potential value of your claim.

What Happens to a Dog That Bites Someone in Ohio?

If a dog bites someone in Ohio, state law requires that the owner surrender the dog for a mandatory ten-day quarantine. This is to determine whether the dog carries rabies or any other infectious diseases and to evaluate the dog’s temperament. Usually, the dog is returned to its owner after this quarantine, but if the dog is deemed to pose a threat to public health or safety, the court may order the dog to be euthanized.

Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?

You should hire a dog bite lawyer to have a better chance of success with your case. Even though the Ohio dog bite strict liability law may seem like it would streamline your case proceedings, you could still encounter various complications that you will need an attorney’s help to resolve. Having an experienced attorney representing you greatly increases your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case.

Dog attacks can be highly traumatic and result in painful injuries. The Ohio dog bite strict liability law is meant to provide more flexibility to victims of these attacks when it comes to claiming compensation for their damages, but they will still need experienced legal counsel to guide them through these cases successfully. Contact Rumizen Weisman Attorneys today and schedule a free consultation with a dog bite attorney who can help with your case.