216-658-5500Call Us Today
216-658-5500Call Us Today
Thousands of people in the Lorain area visit the Sheffield Lake Dog Park and Pawlak Park each year, and many encounter dogs at friends’ and neighbors’ homes as well as while walking through their neighborhoods. While most people regularly have positive interactions with dogs, dogs can unexpectedly attack and bite people, sometimes causing severe injuries. If you have been hurt by someone else’s dog, you need to talk to a Lorain dog bite lawyer right away.
216-658-5500 Call Us Today
The team at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Lorain and throughout Lorain County. Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for our clients throughout Ohio and has a proven record of successfully handling many complex injury claims. If you or a family member was bitten by a dog, you need to understand Ohio’s dog bite laws as they apply to your case.
When you hire a dog bite lawyer at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys, you have a dedicated and responsive legal advocate ready to answer your questions and prepare you for each new step of your proceedings. We have a strong record of success with many types of cases, and we are ready to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages in your dog bite case. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can get started.
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. Every year, nearly 4.5 million people suffer dog bite injuries, and Ohio is one of the top ten states with the highest numbers of dog bite reports. Some dog attacks only cause minor injuries, while others result in catastrophic harm. Some victims suffer permanently disabling injuries and extensive losses.
The AVMA also reports that children under 12 years old account for nearly half of all dog bite victims in the US each year. The US insurance industry reports that claim payouts from homeowners’ insurance policies for dog bites total more than $1 billion per year, and annual hospital expenses for treating dog bite injuries are estimated at about $102.4 million. About 334, 000 people are treated in US emergency rooms each year for dog bites.
In Ohio, there is a strict liability law for dog bites, meaning a dog’s owner is strictly liable for any and all damages their pet causes to another person, regardless of whether the dog has any known history of past aggression. The victim does not need to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent for strict liability to apply, only that they were lawfully present wherever the attack occurred and that they did not provoke the dog in any way.
In many dog bite cases in Lorain and throughout Ohio, the owner of the dog in question will attempt to dispute liability in some way. They may claim that the victim provoked their dog in some way or use other excuses to try and avoid liability. You need to hire a dog bite lawyer at the outset of your case to help you firmly establish strict liability and hold the dog’s owner accountable for the harm their dog has caused.
Establishing strict liability is just the first challenge in your dog bite case. After your attorney helps you prove fault, they can assist you with calculating all of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant. In most personal injury cases, injured plaintiffs are eligible to claim economic and non-economic damages from the defendants responsible for injuring them. Your attorney may reveal that you have grounds to claim more than you initially expected.
Dog bites may result in puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, and even crushing injuries, especially when a dog bites a victim’s hands or feet. Additionally, dog attacks may cause secondary injuries if the dog knocks the victim to the ground. This could potentially result in catastrophic brain injuries, internal organ damage, bone fractures, and more.
In addition to the physical injuries a dog can inflict, dog attacks may also result in significant psychological damage. It’s common for victims of these incidents to struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress, anxiety, and other disruptions to their mental health. Some victims may be unable to work while they recover, and some are left with significant long-term or permanent disabilities.
Your Lorain dog bite attorney can accurately calculate the full scope of economic losses you can claim from the defendant, and they will also help you determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation to include in your claim. You are more likely to secure an appropriate settlement or case verdict when you have legal representation you can trust on your side.
Ohio’s strict liability law may seem like it would make your case straightforward, but you also must contend with various procedural rules when it comes to filing your case. For example, you must file your dog bite claim with the court within the statute of limitations. In Ohio, this time limit for most personal injury cases is two years, starting on the date of the injury. If you do not file in time, you will lose your chance to claim compensation, regardless of your case’s merits.
Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has years of proven experience handling many personal injury cases for clients in the Lorain area. We know how traumatic a dog attack can be, and that you are likely to have various complex legal questions about your situation. We are confident we can help you assert strict liability and recover as much compensation as state law allows for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered.
Whether you are seeking accountability for your own damages or acting on behalf of an injured child or other family member, we are ready to help. Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has a strong record of success resolving complex injury claims, and we are ready to listen to your story and explain how we can help. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services.
The only viable defenses against strict liability for a dog attack in Lorain would be provocation or some type of illegal misconduct. For example, if someone was trespassing on your property or broke into your home and your dog attacked them, you would not be liable for the resulting damages, as the victim was engaged in an illegal act. Anyone who provokes a dog to attack would also be disqualified from claiming compensation under the strict liability law.
After a dog bites someone in Ohio, the owner is required to surrender it for a mandatory ten-day quarantine. The purpose of this quarantine is to check whether the dog carries rabies or some other infectious disease and to evaluate its temperament. Usually, the dog is returned to its owner after this evaluation. However, if it is determined to be a danger to the public, the court may order it to be euthanized.
The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog bite in Lorain depends on the severity of the harm done by the dog. Once you establish strict liability, your Lorain dog bite attorney can help you accurately calculate the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant. These damages could include all related medical expenses, income you cannot earn during recovery, and the pain and suffering you have experienced.
The time it could take to settle a dog bite claim in Lorain varies based on multiple factors. If you hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you, you are more likely to reach a relatively expedient result. Your attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement with a defendant, and this will take far less time than litigation. Every case is unique, so consult your Lorain dog bite attorney for an estimate of how long your case may take to complete.
You need to hire a dog bite lawyer to have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. Your attorney can help you establish strict liability, accurately calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim from the dog’s owner, and determine the most efficient way for you to recover compensation. It is always worth having an experienced attorney representing you for any personal injury case in Ohio.
The team at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has a strong record of successful personal injury counsel in a wide range of cases. We are confident we can help you assert strict liability and will uncover the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant. You have a short time in which to build and file your case, so contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Lorain dog bite lawyer.
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