Toledo Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog Bites Are Common in Toledo

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are almost 5,000,000 dog bites in the United States every year. Ohio has a significantly higher average than most states, ranking third for dog attacks.

Dog attacks frequently strike municipal or delivery workers as they travel into neighborhoods throughout the Toledo area for work. Furthermore, victims are often bitten by a dog when outdoors in recreational areas like the Maumee Bay State Park.

Some of the most alarming dog bite statistics include:

• About 800,000 annual dog bite victims in the United States need emergency medical care
• Dog breeds that bite the most are Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds
• Over half of dog bite victims are children
• Approximately one in four dog bites happens when the dog is chained or on a leash
• Over 70% of dog bites happen on the victim’s hands, arms, or legs
• Over two thirds of fatal dog attack victims are under the age of 10 years

Establishing Liability After a Toledo Dog Bite

Toledo city and Ohio laws establish a dog owner’s responsibilities. For example, Toledo’s chapter 1706 of its local ordinances covers dog owners. Specifics include a duty to keep dangerous dogs secured in a cage or on a leash and to provide assistance if their dog bites someone.

Your dog bite law firm should be familiar with local laws and statutes as well as Ohio’s accident laws and duties for dog owners.

Ohio’s personal injury law may allow for your dog bite attorney to pursue a strict liability case against the owner for a dog that attacked you. This means that you will not have to show that the owners should have been aware of unreasonable dangers with their pets.

Instead, they are responsible since the dog in question is their property. No matter the details of your case, your attorney will have to successfully argue against the defenses of the other party if you are to recover compensation. Elements that must be demonstrated by your attorney include:

• Your injuries were caused by the other person’s dog
• You did not tease or provoke the dog in any way to expect an attack
• You were not committing a crime, or attempting to commit one, when you were bitten
• Your harm can be clearly demonstrated by things like medical bills, lost wages, etc

Dog Bites Can Inflict Very Serious Injuries

The injuries that you sustain in a dog attack can be traumatizing, and you may be affected for a long time or even the rest of your life. Do not hesitate to seek emergency medical help after a bite from a dog or other animal.

It’s important for you to have legal counsel who understands how to determine the complete extent of your injuries.

As Toledo dog bite lawyers, we work with our clients’ doctors and therapists to determine the complete care you’ll need to get better. You cannot expect to recover appropriate compensation if your lawyer fails to do this.

Every dog bite is unique, and the damage can be extremely serious. A dog does not only have sharp teeth, but they instinctively bite in a fashion that allows them to inflict as much harm as possible. The tissue will often be ripped apart, and it can be difficult or impossible for it to heal fully.

Common injuries that victims sustain in a dog bite include:

• Broken or fractured bones due to bite or falling down
• Deep and painful cuts that can cause a lot of blood loss
• Torn muscles or ligaments
• Damaged joints due to tears or broken bones
• Transmission of disease such as rabies
• Organ damage through punctures or infection
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

What to do After a Toledo Dog Attack

Your health and wellbeing are in great danger in the event of a dog attack. The first thing that you must do is get yourself and your loved ones to safety. This can be very difficult in certain circumstances. Your injuries can make it hard for you to move, and your escape to safety can be blocked by a dangerous dog. Once getting to safety, call for emergency help. Police and medical first responders help many victims of dog attacks, and they know how to get you to safety and the help that you need. Once you are no longer in danger, we encourage you to take the following steps:

• Seek medical help – You may be rushed to the hospital, or your injuries may be mild enough to allow for you to be driven by someone in their car. Either way, a dog bite must be immediately checked out by a doctor, and don’t forget to explain that you were bitten by a dog.
• Call a lawyer – Dog bites can cost you significant amounts of money for medical help, and you might be unable to return to work for a long time. An experienced Toledo dog attack lawyer can help you through every step as you seek the damages you deserve.
• Follow up with police – It’s important to report your incident to the police so as to have an official record of the attack. Your lawyer can help you work with law enforcement to report your bite and also make sure the dog doesn’t pose a danger to others.
• Take your doctor’s advice – Many people fail to follow through with their medical checkups and the advice of their doctors. This can not only make physical recovery more difficult, but it can reduce the likelihood of a successful financial recovery in a lawsuit.

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 Toledo

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

Toledo Dog Bite FAQs