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216-658-5500Call Us Today
Many people in the Toledo area interact with dogs on a regular basis, whether it’s at a dog park like Glass City Dog Park or The Bark Park on Alisdale Drive, or at a friend or family member’s home. However, dogs can attack and bite unexpectedly, sometimes inflicting severe harm. If you or a family member have been injured by someone else’s dog, it’s vital to speak with an experienced Toledo dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
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Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has successfully recovered more than $100 million in compensation for injured clients in Toledo and throughout Ohio in a wide range of cases. If you were injured by someone else’s dog, you must understand Ohio’s strict liability law and know what you can do to recover compensation for your damages. You should hire a dog bite lawyer you can trust at your first opportunity to guide you through your case.
Our firm excels at resolving difficult personal injury cases. When you hire a dog bite lawyer at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys, you will have a dedicated legal representative ready to guide you through every step of your case. We can answer your questions, explain the state laws that apply to your case, and help you recover as much compensation as possible for your damages, but it is crucial that you reach out to our firm as soon as possible so we can get started.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are about 90 million dogs in the US, and 45% of American homes have at least one dog. However, about 4.5 million people in the US are bitten by dogs each year. While many of these incidents only result in minor injuries, some dog attacks cause catastrophic harm that leaves the victim with painful injuries and, sometimes, permanent damage.
The AVMA also reports that almost half of all dog bite victims in the US are children under the age of 12, and about 334,000 people are seen in US emergency rooms each year for dog bite injuries. When a dog bites, they can potentially cause puncture wounds, lacerations, crushing injuries, broken bones, nerve damage, and secondary injuries if the victim is thrown to the ground. These incidents are sometimes physically damaging and psychologically traumatic.
After you or a family member is injured by someone else’s dog, Ohio’s strict liability law for dog attacks may apply to your case. Under this law, a dog owner is strictly liable for any harm their pet causes to another person, regardless of whether the dog has any known history of aggression or if the owner was negligent in any way. The victim simply needs to prove that they did not provoke the attack and that they were lawfully present wherever the attack occurred.
Your dog bite claim may seem straightforward at first, but many dog owners will attempt to dispute strict liability. The owner of the dog that bit you may claim that you aggressed them or their dog or otherwise provoked the attack. Your Toledo dog bite attorney can help you disprove any such allegations and help you pursue compensation under Ohio’s strict liability law.
Once your attorney has established strict liability in your case, they can help you calculate the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim from the dog owner. You may have grounds to claim compensation for all medical expenses resulting from the incident, any income you are unable to earn while you recover, and for the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Filing a personal injury claim in Toledo requires meeting the statute of limitations. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date the injury occurred. You must meet this filing deadline or lose your chance to claim compensation from the defendant, regardless of the merits of your case. Hire a dog bite lawyer at your first opportunity so they can start gathering evidence to help you establish strict liability.
Most personal injury cases filed in Toledo are resolved in pretrial settlement negotiations. Settlement is an opportunity for the parties involved in a personal injury case to negotiate mutually acceptable terms to put the matter to rest and avoid lengthy and expensive litigation. A Toledo dog bite attorney can guide you through settlement, and they will be ready to represent you in litigation should it be necessary for your case.
The aftermath of a dog attack in Toledo can be traumatic and uncertain. Many victims of these incidents require emergency medical treatment followed by a long recovery time, and they may be left unable to work. Many victims also struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and develop anxiety concerning dogs due to these experiences. Whatever your situation entails, you can trust Rumizen Weisman Attorneys to work for the compensation you deserve.
Our firm has an extensive record of successful personal injury representation in Toledo and surrounding communities of Lucas County, including many dog bite claims. Ohio’s strict liability law may seem like it would make your case relatively straightforward, but unexpected complications may arise in any personal injury case. You need legal counsel you can trust to build the strongest possible case on your behalf and pursue fair compensation.
We will carefully review the incident and gather the evidence needed to establish strict liability. We’ll calculate your total damages and do everything we can to help you secure as much compensation as possible from the dog owner. We can help you settle your case privately if possible, but we are ready to represent you in litigation if necessary. Our firm provides personalized counsel to every client we represent.
Ultimately, you will likely have many complex legal questions about your situation, and we can help. You have a short time in which to file your dog bite claim, and our team is ready to assist you with every step of your case proceedings. If you are ready to learn how we can help, reach out to our firm as soon as possible to speak with an experienced Toledo dog bite lawyer.
The two main defenses against Ohio’s strict liability law for dog bites are provocation and trespassing. The dog owner is not liable if their pet injures someone who is committing a crime against the dog owner or their property, and the dog owner would not be liable if their dog attacks someone who intentionally provokes them in any way.
After a dog bites someone in Toledo, the state requires the owner to surrender the dog for a mandatory ten-day quarantine. During this quarantine, veterinary and animal control professionals will check the dog for rabies and other infectious diseases. In most cases, the dog is returned to its owner after the quarantine, but the court may order euthanasia for a dog deemed to pose a threat to public health or safety.
The amount of compensation you can claim in a dog bite case depends on the severity of the injuries the dog has caused. Once you assert strict liability, your attorney can help you claim compensation for any economic and non-economic damages you suffered. Economic damages in these cases usually include medical bills and lost income, and non-economic damages can include physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological trauma.
The time required to resolve a dog bite case in Toledo depends on several factors. If you hire a dog bite lawyer right away after the incident, they can help you establish strict liability and file your claim within the statute of limitations. Many personal injury cases in Ohio are resolved in pretrial settlement negotiations, and this is usually much faster than litigation. Consult your attorney for an estimated timetable for your dog bite claim.
You should hire a dog bite lawyer to have the greatest possible chance of success with your case. The right attorney on your side dramatically improves your chances of not only establishing strict liability, but also of securing as much compensation as possible for the damages you suffered. A Toledo dog bite attorney may also reduce the time it takes to resolve your case, minimizing how long you must wait to receive compensation for your damages.
The team at Rumizen Weisman Attorneys knows that the aftermath of a dog attack can be difficult in several ways, and we can answer your legal questions in this difficult time. Our firm has the record to prove that we are capable of resolving the toughest cases, and we’re confident we can help you with your dog bite claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Toledo dog bite lawyer. We look forward to helping with your recovery.
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