Dayton Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites and animal attacks are terrifying experiences. In addition to the severe physical pain a dog bite can cause, they can also lead to lifelong emotional trauma and phobias, as well as overwhelming medical bills. Children are particularly susceptible to severe and even fatal dog bite injuries. When the attack is entirely preventable, injured individuals and their families are often left with a sense of burning injustice.

Have you suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to a dog attack in Ohio? You may be eligible to recover compensation for losses such as medical expenses, missed time at work, and pain and suffering. The experienced Dayton dog bite attorneys at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our Dayton personal injury lawyers have decades of experience securing favorable outcomes for injured clients. Let us put our knowledge of dog bite cases to work for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options for dog bites in Ohio.

What to Do After Getting Bitten by a Dog

The aftermath of a dog bite can be an overwhelming and emotional time. However, knowing what steps to take in the days and weeks following an attack from a dangerous dog can significantly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Here is what to do to protect your injury claim:

Maintain all medical documents – Hospital bills, medical records, test results, and diagnostic images are always valuable evidence in a dog bite injury claim.
Collect witness information – Eyewitness statements can corroborate your version of events, strengthening your claim.
Avoid speaking publicly about the attack – Many people have active online lives where they share details about significant events. Refrain from doing so while your case is ongoing, as insurance companies can use public statements against you.
Contact a dog bite lawyer in Dayton – An experienced Ohio dog bite lawyer can investigate the incident, identify all at-fault parties, calculate the value of your losses, and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement. If necessary, they can take your case to court.

Are Any Dog Breeds Banned in Dayton?

Until 2021, pit bulls were banned in Dayton, Ohio. However, the ban has been lifted since that time. A handful of dog breeds are banned in some Ohio cities, so check local ordinances to determine whether a ban applies in the area where the attack occurred. An attack by a banned dog can significantly strengthen your claim.

Ohio Dog Bite Laws

Dog bite laws in Ohio place liability for an attack squarely on the shoulders of the dog owner. This person may be the dog’s owner, a dog walker, or anyone who has control of the dog at the time of an attack. You may not be able to file a claim against this individual if you:

Provoked the dog into attacking you
Were trespassing on the dog owner’s property
Were committing a crime on the dog owner’s premises

In all other circumstances, the dog owner is strictly liability under the law for any injuries the dog causes.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can cause an array of severe and disfiguring injuries, including:

Lacerations – Deep cuts and tears in the skin often require stitches and can leave permanent scarring. Infection is also a risk with untreated wounds.
Nerve damage – Some dog bites sever nerves and tendons, causing loss of feeling or mobility in the affected area. This damage may be irreparable.
Fractured and broken bones – The powerful jaws and violent shaking of some dog attacks can fracture bones, especially in children. These injuries often require surgery.
Amputation – In the worst cases, medics have no choice but to amputate fingers, hands, arms, or feet due to the extent of damage from a dog attack. This life-altering disfigurement deserves substantial compensation.
Emotional trauma – Many dog bite victims develop PTSD, phobias, anxiety, and other mental health conditions that may require therapy and medication.

Available Compensation for Dog Bite Victims in Dayton, OH

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Dayton dog attack, Ohio law entitles you to pursue compensation for the following in a dog bite claim:

Past and future medical bills, including hospitalization, surgeries, therapy, and prescription medications related to the dog bite wounds
Lost wages due to missing work during recovery
Diminished earning capacity if injuries are permanent
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Funeral costs and loss of companionship for the family in the event of fatal dog attacks

Securing fair compensation often requires aggressively negotiating with insurance companies. An experienced Dayton dog bite attorney can handle these negotiations so you can focus on healing.

Do I Need an Attorney for an Animal Attack Claim?

Pursuing a dog bite injury claim without legal representation is extremely risky. The at-fault party may employ their lawyers, who may argue that you provoked the dog or were trespassing when the bite occurred. Furthermore, insurance companies know that unrepresented victims are unlikely to understand the total value of their losses. As a result, insurers make lowball offers, hoping injured victims will accept less than they deserve.

An experienced Dayton dog bite lawyer levels the playing field by:

Thoroughly investigating your case to prove liability
Gathering evidence to support the total value of your losses
Negotiating aggressively with insurers for fair compensation
Taking your case to court if needed

With so much at stake, protecting your right to maximum compensation requires working with a lawyer you can trust. Let Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, handle your claim while you focus on healing.

Contact a Dayton Dog Bite Attorney to Learn More

The legal team at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, understands how challenging life can feel after suffering dog bite injuries. Our lawyers are passionate about empowering injured individuals to seek maximum compensation for their dog bite claims. We will listen compassionately to your story, investigate the incident, and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review to learn more about how we can help you.