Dog bite injuries can be a life altering experience, both mentally and physically, as permanent damage can be caused to a victim’s body as well as their mind. Legally, when addressing the issue of dog bites, Ohio is a strict liability state, so when an individual is a victim of a dog bite, the owner or keeper of the animal can be held liable for injury without the victim of the bite needing to prove the owner (or keeper) were negligent in some manner. The victim in a dog bite lawsuit need only prove that they were bitten by a dog and that dog’s bite caused an injury or other type of damage to the victim and the only exception occurs when the victim of a dog bite was criminally trespassing or attempting to trespass (on property), or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.
According to the Examiner , dog bites led to a total of nearly $413 million in homeowner liability claims in 2010, according to the Insurance Information Institute based in New York City. The average dog bite claim in 2010 was $26,616.00. Settlements can include coverage for medical costs, “pain and suffering” and lost wages. Dog bites represented about one-third of all homeowners’ claims in 2010. Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC are Canton, Ohio dog bite lawyers and Akron, Ohio dog bite lawyers who would be happy to discuss your legal rights and explain how to secure a recovery against the owner or keeper of the animal who caused your injuries.
The section of the Ohio Revised Code that addresses dog bites is Revised Code Section 955.28 . If you have been injured by a dog (or other animal), there are a number of things you will need to do immediately:
- If possible, get the name and contact information of the dog owner as well as any witnesses to the incident. Do not speak with the dog owner for any reason;
Immediately report your accident to the local police and request that a Police Incident Report be created (this report can be ordered at a later date); - Immediately take photographs of any visible injuries as a result of the dog attack or any damages to your property;
- Seek immediate medical attention in all circumstances at a local hospital;
- Save any clothing worn during the dog attack;
- Do not talk to any insurance representative for the dog owner and do not accept any money whatsoever as compensation, as you may be waiving your legal right to other recovery; and
- Contact our office for a FREE CONSULTATION regarding your legal rights.
Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC are Ohio dog bite lawyers who have successfully represented children and adults who have been attacked by dogs and other domestic animals. If you have been injured in a dog or other animal attack and you need an Ohio animal attack attorney, please contact Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC for a FREE CONSULTATION at (330) 494-4877 or by e-mail at jcollum@collumlawoffice.com
Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC are Ohio dog bite attorneys who represent individuals all over Northeast Ohio including, but not limited to, the cities of Canton, Akron, Alliance, Canal Fulton, Massillon, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Fairlawn, Green, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, New Franklin, Norton, Stow, Tallmadge, Twinsburg, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Aurora, Brunswick, Medina, Rittman, Wadsworth, Dover, New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville, Orrville, Wooster, Columbiana, East Liverpool and Salem.