Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Columbus, Ohio
Attacks by dogs can cause serious injury, especially to older people and children. Even though Ohio makes dog bite lawsuits easier for victims to file than other states, getting the compensation you deserve might be difficult. A Columbus dog bite lawyer from The Keating Law Firm can assist clients in getting the compensation they deserve if they've been harmed by a dog.
What Injuries Are Caused by Dog Bites and Animal Attacks?
Dog bites are a common occurrence. Moreover, dog bites affect nearly 4.5 million individuals in the United States every year, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In addition, one out of every five dog bites becomes infected, posing a high danger of life-threatening complications.
The following diseases can be contracted as a result of a dog bite:
Rabies
This disease is uncommon; however, if left untreated, it is almost always fatal. It attacks both the peripheral and central nervous systems, affecting the brain. Dogs and other mammals carry the disease in their saliva.
Tetanus
This toxin, which is produced by the bacteria Clostridium tetani, can be fatal. Flu-like symptoms and stiff paralysis are among the symptoms. Deep dog bite wounds are frequently infected with tetanus.
Pasteurella
A bacteria that can be present in up to 50% of all dog attacks. Painful redness and swelling surrounding the bite location are common adverse effects. The elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.
MRSA
These are infections of the lungs, skin, and urinary tract caused by a form of staph infection. This disease can be lethal if it spreads through a person's bloodstream.
Other common examples of injuries in dog bite cases include:
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Eye injuries
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Abrasions and lacerations
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Puncture wounds
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Facial injuries
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Tissue damage
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Head and neck injuries
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Nerve damage
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Scarring
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Lingering emotional trauma
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a dog bite or animal attack, you have the legal right to seek compensation. Though each dog attack situation in Columbus is unique, our experienced attorneys can help you win your personal injury lawsuit. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Does Columbus Have Strict Penalties for Dog Owners?
The victim must show that the other party was negligent in most personal injury instances by establishing that they failed to prevent another person from being injured. Fortunately, Ohio law holds dog owners entirely responsible for any injuries caused by their pets. To put it another way, victims don't have to show that the dog's owner was negligent in controlling or managing the dog. Other states might require proof of negligence or that the dog was deemed "vicious" or "dangerous."
Dog owners and anybody in possession of dogs in Ohio are liable for any damage caused by their pets. If the animal is known to be dangerous or has bitten previously, owners may be liable for punitive damages in addition to regular compensation under Ohio's One Bite Rule.
How Do Columbus Dog Bite Lawyers Determine Liability Regarding Dog Bites?
Victims can also sue "keepers" or "harborers" for injuries caused by dogs, such as kennel owners or dog walkers, under Ohio law. The law may also apply to the following situations:
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Landlords who are aware that their tenants have an aggressive dog on the premises
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A person who looks after dogs while their owners are away on holiday
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Adult children's parents who are keeping or caring for a dog on their property
It might be difficult to determine who is accountable for the injuries, particularly when a corporate organization is involved. An expert Columbus dog bite lawyer can assist in determining who is to blame.
Does Ohio Have Any Exceptions to the Stringent Liability Standard?
In some cases, the dog's owner or caretaker may be exempt from culpability. The following exclusions may apply under Ohio dog bite laws:
Other than a petty misdemeanor such as assault, the victim was doing or trying to commit a crime.
Other than a petty misdemeanor such as assault, the victim was doing or trying to commit a crime. The victim was trespassing the property of the dog owner.
The victim was taunting, torturing, or assaulting the dog on the dog owner's or caretaker's property.
Even if the victim did not have the required authorization, the trespass exception doesn't apply to anyone engaged in delivery, door-to-door sales, or other solicitations (such as charity causes or political campaigns). Many dog owners try to convince the victim that one of these exceptions applies to their situation; however, a Columbus dog bite lawyer from The Keating Law Firm can help you win your case.
What Happens if a Child Was the Victim of a Dog Bite?
While families' legal rights are clear, obtaining adequate compensation in situations of child dog bites can be difficult. With this in mind, our Columbus dog bite lawyers have put up a list of three crucial facts to be aware of:
A Child Injury can be Expensive
A nasty dog bite might cost far more than emergency medical treatment. Families only receive a portion of the compensation they deserve if they focus solely on their child's medical expenditures. Ohio law allows for the recovery of all non-economic and economic losses, such as pain and suffering, lost future earnings, and emotional trauma, in dog bite cases.
The Family Needs Proof of the Extent and Cause of the Child's Injuries
Parents must still prove that their child was attacked by someone else's dog, just as other dog bite victims. Furthermore, they must also establish the severity (and cost) of their child's injuries. There are several critical actions one should take as soon as possible after their child is bitten by a dog to safeguard their family's legal rights. These steps are as follows:
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Go to the doctor with the child. The child's medical treatment should be the top priority following a dog attack. Even tiny wounds can result in catastrophic, life-threatening infections as well as lasting scars. It is always better to have a complete checkup from a skilled medical practitioner, regardless of how mild or severe the wounds appear. They can make sure the wounds are cleaned properly and, if needed, sewn up. Prompt treatment and care can assist to reduce or prevent scarring and infection risks. It's also critical to stick to the doctor's recommendations once the victim gets home.
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Report the dog bite incident. A dog attack in Ohio requires the victim or anybody with knowledge of the attack to report it within 24 hours. The local health commissioner needs to be notified of the dog bite event. If you need additional information on how to file dog bite cases in Columbus, contact Columbus Public Health. Visit Ohio.gov to learn about additional health districts in the state. Following the filing of the report, a rabies risk assessment is conducted, and the dog is quarantined for a minimum of 10 days.
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Make a list of everything that happened. When and where did the attack take place? What was the child doing when the attack happened? What was the dog's color, breed, and size? Were there any eyewitnesses present? Obtain the contact information of anyone who was present during the dog attack. It is a good idea to get a written report of what they witnessed if at all possible.
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Get all the necessary contact information of the dog owner. Obtain the name, phone number, and address of the dog owner once you've located them. If the animal's immunization records are available, it is also critical to obtain them. If you can't get the records, ask for the dog's veterinarian's name and phone number. Check with the dog's veterinarian to determine if the animal's vaccines are current.
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Talk to an experienced dog bite lawyer from The Keating Law Firm. The best method to preserve your family's legal rights is to speak with one of our attorneys as soon as possible. We offer free consultations and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Harborers" and "Keepers" can be Held Legally Responsible for Dog Bites
Under Ohio law, dog owners are not the only ones who can be held accountable. In some situations, "harborers" and "keepers" may also be held accountable. If the child was bitten at a kennel, for instance, the kennel might be held accountable for the child's medical expenditures as well as other losses suffered by the family.
The Statute of Limitations in Ohio Regarding Animal Attacks and Dog Bites
Dog bite cases, like any other personal injury claim in Ohio, have a two-year statute of limitations. One must bring a case within two years of the event, or they will forfeit any claims to compensation.
If you have been harmed in a dog attack, you should contact a Columbus dog bite lawyer from our office as quickly as possible. It is increasingly challenging to prove a dog bite claim the longer you wait.
What Compensation can our Columbus Dog Bite Attorneys Pursue?
In a dog bite case, there are two sorts of money or damages that one could be awarded: punitive damages and compensatory damages.
Punitive damages can reach twice the value of any compensatory damages.
Economic damages and non-economic damages are the two types of compensatory damages. Economic damages include expenses and money one has incurred as a result of the dog bite injury, such as lost wages and medical bills. Non-economic damages are those that do not have a monetary value attached to them, such as those costs that one receives a bill for at a moment in time. Pain and suffering, as well as loss of consortium, are examples of these.
There is no cap on economic damages in Ohio. Therefore, if the medical bills total $30,000, the dog bite victim could be given $30,000 in medical bills. The amount of non-economic damages has been limited. In Ohio, victims are awarded either $250,000 or three times their economic damages up to $350,000, whichever is larger.
Moreover, there are no restrictions on economic damages if the dog bite victim has sustained a physical or permanent deformity or a permanent bodily disability that prevents them from looking after themself.
Why Should You Hire Our Dog Bite Lawyer for an Animal Attack?
A personal injury lawyer or a Columbus dog bite attorney can be found at The Keating Law Firm. We can provide the finest service to dog bite injury victims since our legal team has dealt with and understands both sides of animal attack situations. Furthermore, we know what the other side is going to do and how to react.
Our Columbus dog bite lawyers have many years of combined expertise handling insurance claims. When it comes to handling dog bite cases, having practical knowledge is crucial because homeowners', health, and animal liability policies may all be involved. A dog owner and victim may have to deal with their own insurers as well as the insurance companies for the other parties involved.
Contact the Experienced Columbus Dog Bite Lawyers from The Keating Law Firm Today!
Serious dog bite injuries should not be taken lightly. We realize how dog bite injuries can have long-term effects for the victim at The Keating Law Firm. That is why we fight aggressively to ensure that dog bite injury victims and their families receive justice.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a dog, we strongly advise you to contact our top-rated Columbus personal injury law office for a dog bite claim. Our attorneys make sure you get the medical attention you need following the dog bite incident, provide direction and support throughout the legal process, and fight hard to obtain the compensation you deserve.
One may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages if they were attacked by someone else's dog. Call us or send us an email to set up a free consultation with one of our Columbus dog bite injury attorneys.