Dayton Dog Bite Lawyers

Common Dog Bite Injuries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates close to 1 in 5 people who are bitten by a dog need medical attention. In 2003, the CDC reported an estimated 4.7 million dog bites happened in the U.S. in 1994 (the most recent year with published data). That is a lot of people who need to see a doctor after a dog attack.

If you were bitten by a dog, we recommend you see a doctor right away. A doctor will treat your immediate injuries. They also will reduce your risk of a bacterial infection.

Dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture Wounds: Dog bites cause puncture wounds and lacerations. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may require stitches. Injuries in certain places, like on a face, may need to be treated by a plastic surgeon. This can help limit a disfigurement.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: A dog bite can injure ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Depending on the location and severity of a dog bite, you may need surgery or other medical care to treat a soft tissue injury.
• Eye Injuries: Someone who suffers a dog bite to the face can suffer damage to their eye and vision. This is a common issue when the dog bite victim is a child.
• Broken Bones: Depending on a dog’s jaw strength and the location of the bite, a dog bite victim can suffer a broken bone that requires immediate medical attention.
• Tetanus: Dog bites do not usually cause a tetanus infection because of the tetanus vaccine. However, you must be careful. Tetanus is a very serious bacterial infection. It’s commonly known as lockjaw. It causes the jaw and neck muscles to contract. It also interferes with a person’s ability to breathe and can be fatal.
• Pasteurella: This is a bacterium commonly found in dog bite wounds, which can cause an infection. This infection is rarely life-threatening. But the infection can cause serious complications. A doctor will clean the dog bite wound thoroughly to prevent infection. If an infection happens, it can be treated with antibiotics.
• Rabies: Rabies is a well-known complication of animal bites. It is not common because of the vaccine for pets. But it can be a fatal virus. If you are concerned the dog might have rabies, see a doctor right away. You can be administered treatment to reduce the risk of a rabies infection.
• MRSA: MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant infection. It is difficult to treat. This infection often happens because of contamination of the dog bite would. It is important to see a doctor and have the bite cleaned thoroughly.
• Psychological Trauma: A serious dog attack can cause psychological trauma that required mental health care to treat.

Ohio Dog Bite Laws

In Ohio, a dog’s owner is liable for injuries their dog causes. The law says an owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable for injury, death, or property damage caused by the dog. If you were attacked by a dog, you should talk with a Dayton dog bite lawyer about holding the owner responsible.

There are exceptions to this law. The owner or other person who was responsible for the dog is not liable if:

• You were trespassing on private property,
• You were committing or attempting to commit a crime, or
• You teased, tormented, abused, or antagonized the dog.

You should talk with a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Usually, you will file a claim against the dog owner. But someone else may have been taking care of the dog. You may have to pursue compensation from a dog walker, dog daycare facility, kennel, or dog sitter. A dog bite attorney can help you determine who is responsible for the dog attack.

How To Recover Dog Bite Injury Compensation?

Immediately following a dog bite, you should see a doctor. Medical treatment is important for immediate injuries and to prevent infection. You might not be sure you need to see a doctor right away. We recommend you go to a doctor within 72 hours. The longer you wait, the more complicated your claim may become.

Going to a doctor also serves another purpose. By seeing a doctor right away, you document the dog bite and the harm it caused. This is important for proving that you have a right to compensation.

We recommend you call an experienced dog bite lawyer from Kisling, Nestico & Redick, right away. If the dog owner was in control of the dog at the time, your lawyer might file a claim against the owner’s home or renter’s insurance.

We also might recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit. Going to court might be necessary if there is no insurance coverage. It also is important if the insurer denied your claim or offered a low settlement. Proving you are ready to go to court can encourage an insurance company to settle for a fair amount.

Our legal team at KNR is not afraid to go to trial. We have handled many dog bite cases. We have a strong record of obtaining fair settlement or court awards for our clients.

The Time Limit for a Dog Bite Lawsuit

If a dog injured you, then you have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations.

This time limit only applies to lawsuits. It does not apply to an insurance claim. You need to get started on an insurance claim right away. If you wait for weeks or months, the insurer may deny your claim for compensation.

Fatal Dog Attacks in Dayton

Dog bite-related deaths are rare. But they happen. In 2017, there were 40 dog-bite related fatalities, the National Canine Research Council reported based on CDC statistics. If you lost a relative because of dog bite injuries, call KNR immediately. We are here to handle a wrongful death claim based on a fatal dog attack.

Through a wrongful death lawsuit, we will seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost income
• Lost future inheritance
• Loss of companionship and society

Dayton Dog Bite FAQs