Dog bites can cause severe physical injury and psychological distress. You deserve full and fair compensation if you were attacked, or if your child was attacked. While the insurance company may offer you a low settlement or try to place the blame on you, Cincinnati dog bite attorney Anthony Castelli will fight for every last dollar you are due. Anthony has been winning verdicts and settlements for his clients for more than 30 years. He does not compromise in obtaining the best results for your family. Find out how you can get justice – contact us today.
Ohio ranks third in the nation for highest number of dog bite claims. According to a report from Cleveland 19 News, there were 177 dog bite claims filed in 2018 in our state. Ohio's dog bite law allows the victim to recover compensation if they were bitten without cause (i.e. not trespassing, committing a crime or provoking the dog). Call Anthony Castelli at 513-621-2345 for a free case evaluation.
Dog Attacks Cause Catastrophic Injury
All dog bites are serious. When they puncture or tear skin, a pathway is opened through which bacteria-laden saliva in the dog's mouth enters the tissues of the body. The bacteria may cause severe infection, even life-threatening septic shock. Injuries common in these cases include:
- Puncture wounds
- Large, open wounds
- Deep lacerations
- Scars
- Disfigurement
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Death
Seek medical attention immediately if the wounds look serious. Your doctor will make sure you get the treatment you need. A checkup also creates a medical record, which serves as official history of the dog attack and its impact. These medical records are essential if you are going to file an injury claim.
Psychological, mental and emotional wounds are also common. Especially when children are the victims, trauma may lead to a fear and avoidance of dogs. Dramatic and particularly scary attacks could lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
What To Do After a Dog Attack
Act quickly to protect your health and lay the groundwork for an injury claim, should you decide to file one in the days ahead. Here are a few things you should do:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- If you don't already know the owner/harborer/keeper, get their name and contact information
- If possible, take photos of your injuries and the dog
- Ask for the contact information of any witnesses
- Write down any other pertinent information, such as what the dog looked like, the dog's breed, whether it was on a leash, and what if anything the dog's owner did to try to prevent the attack
- Report the dog attack to the police and animal control
- Call Anthony to find out if you may have an injury claim based on the owner's negligence or a claim based on Ohio's dog bite law
Many kinds of bacteria live in a dog's mouth. Depending on vaccinations the dog has received, a bite can leave you vulnerable to rabies, tetanus, pasteurella and MRSA. These are serious issues. If the wound appears minor, wash it with soap and warm water. Deeper wounds or wounds that are bleeding profusely should receive emergency medical attention.
Ohio Law Regarding Dog Attacks
An owner is liable for injuries their dog inflicts, if the victim did not provoke the dog and was not trespassing. It does not matter if the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog's aggressive nature. This type of liability is called "strict liability." If provocation and trespass are not factors in the attack, then you may not even need to prove the owner was negligent. It may be enough to show the dog injured you.
Any breed and any size of dog can bite. Unfortunately, some owners intentionally train their dog to be aggressive. In other cases, owners may not take reasonable care to control a dog they know is prone to biting or acting defensively. Oftentimes, the dog hasn't previously displayed bad behavior but lashes out unexpectedly. Remember to always ask before petting a stranger's dog, and teach your children to do the same. Children should never be left unattended with a dog, even if it's your family's dog.
There are a couple possible defenses in dog bite cases. The owner or their insurance company may try to argue one of the following:
- That you provoked the dog by teasing, taunting or otherwise acting aggressively toward the dog
- That you were trespassing on the owner's property at the time of the attack
- That you were committing a crime at the time the dog attacked you
You need experienced dog bite lawyer Anthony Castelli on your side. Anthony will show how you were wrongfully attacked and injured by the dog. He will not rest until he has recovered maximum compensation on your behalf.
Find Out If You Have a Claim
Have you been bitten or attacked by someone else's dog? Has your child or another family member been injured by a dog in Cincinnati, Mason, Hamilton or the surrounding areas? Even if the dog belongs to a relative or friend, you deserve compensation for these injuries. In a free, confidential consultation with Ohio attorney Anthony Castelli, you can talk through all of your options. Please call Mr. Castelli at 513-621-2345.
