Our Cincinnati Lawyers Answer: How Are Dog Bites Different From Other Injuries?
If an animal has injured you, you may deserve compensation. Dog bites and other types of animal attacks and accidents stand out from other injuries in several key ways.
First, bite injuries can be difficult to treat and bring unexpected complications:
- A dog bite may cause infections, disfigurement and psychological trauma.
- Scarring can cause social problems, too, especially harmful for children and young women, but also damaging to anyone.
- When a child suffers facial injuries, plastic surgeons may recommend delaying plastic surgery until a later stage of the child’s development, in addition to surgery done soon after the incident.
- Sometimes a dog does not actually bite someone but may seem to threaten to do so, causing a jogger, pedestrian or bicyclist to fall and suffer blunt-force injuries.
A claim for compensation after a dog bite or another animal-related injury should take all losses and costs into account.
Secondly, laws define people’s responsibilities for keeping and containing animals. These laws may pertain to dogs’ owners or property managers.
- Leash laws, for example, are intended to protect the public from dog attacks. Homeowners may be required to keep dogs fenced when they are outside at home.
- A dog with a history of being dangerous may not be allowed in certain areas.
- Most populated areas have ordinances governing where livestock and exotic animals are and are not allowed.
- Property owners and managers are responsible for keeping premises safe for people who work, visit or live there.
Third, people who have suffered dog bites sometimes hesitate to “sue” friends or family members whose dog caused the injuries.
- In fact, it is important to understand that a homeowner’s insurance usually covers dog bites.
- Bringing a claim or lawsuit is a way of tapping into the safety net that insurance provides.
A review of an incident should include analyzing the facts in light of relevant laws that may show that someone was negligent or legally responsible. An injured person can seek compensation by filing an injury claim with the responsible party’s insurer and/or bringing a lawsuit before a judge and jury.
Minnillo Law Group Co., LPA, personalizes the legal representation we provide at all times. We investigate carefully to discover all important aspects of the injuries, the incident and liability. Our goal is to help clients recover the compensation they need to pay medical bills and replace lost wages. Sometimes, additional compensation for pain and suffering is appropriate. We are ready to fight for our clients’ rights and interests in a personal injury claim.
Are Dog Owners Always Liable For Dog Attacks?
There are a few different things to consider when determining if the owner is liable. First and foremost, if the dog has a history of dangerous interactions or previous bites, owners are more obligated to protect the public. They may not be able to take the dog to specific areas.
Even if the owner claims they did not know that the dog was dangerous and doesn’t have a violent history, they could still be liable if they were negligent. For instance, if someone was walking their dog without using a leash and the dog attacked a passing child, that owner would be responsible because their negligence failed to keep others safe. They may also be surprised that the attack occurred, but not using a leash means that they neglected their duties as a responsible dog owner.
Similarly, owners are often responsible when dogs aren’t contained on their property. The dog should be in the house, on a lead, behind a fence or contained by an “invisible” fence that uses a shock collar.
Dog Bites Versus Dog Knockdowns
In many cases, a dog might not bite, but a large dog can still knock a person down and cause serious injuries. This is particularly true for notably vulnerable people such as children and the elderly. These knockdowns can cause all manner of injuries, even without a bite wound. For instance, someone who strikes their head on the sidewalk could suffer from a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury. Many people also get defensive injuries from trying to stop the dog from biting.
In other words, serious injuries are still possible, and a physical bite is not always necessary to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more. A negligent dog owner can still be responsible for all these injuries after a knockdown. Plus, naturally, some people suffer both bite wounds and knockdown injuries in a serious dog attack, and negligent owners may have to cover all of the costs.
Get Legal Advice And Help After A Bite, Attack Or Accident
After a dog bite or any animal-related injury, take advantage of our offer of a free initial consultation with a lawyer. Call our office at 513-723-1600 or complete our easy online intake form to schedule your conversation with one of our Cincinnati dog bite attorneys.