Cincinnati Dog Bite Lawyer

Doug Mann

Last updated on June 11th, 2024

The trauma of a dog bite can last a lifetime, both physically and emotionally. While the vast majority of dogs are loving animals who are part of their owner’s family, the consequences can be devastating when they attack. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in an attack, a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer with Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz is ready to help you obtain maximum compensation.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

About 4.5 million people suffer dog bites yearly, with more than 330,000 of them hurt so severely they must go to an emergency room. While some bites are nothing more than minor scrapes, others can cause life-threatening wounds requiring immediate medical attention. Some of the most common injuries include the following:

• Puncture wounds: The razor-sharp teeth of a dog can cause a deep puncture to the skin. Puncture wounds happen frequently due to dog bites and can vary in size and depth. These wounds pose a significant risk of infection due to the bacteria in a dog’s mouth.
• Lacerations: Dog bites often cut or tear the skin, resulting in lacerations. These injuries may be superficial or deep, depending on the force of the bite and the size of the dog’s teeth. Lacerations may require stitches or other wound closure techniques to promote healing and minimize scarring.
• Abrasions: Surface wounds or abrasions may occur when a dog’s teeth contact the skin without penetrating deeply. While abrasions are typically not as serious as lacerations or puncture wounds, they still carry a risk of infection. In some cases, a doctor may need to clean an abrasion and apply topical treatment to prevent complications.
• Crushing injuries: In cases involving powerful or large dogs, bites can exert significant force, leading to crushing injuries. These injuries may damage underlying tissues, muscles, or bones, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Severe crushing injuries may require surgical intervention to repair the damage and restore function.
• Tissue loss: Severe dog bites can result in tissue loss, particularly if the skin is torn away or crushed. Tissue loss injuries may expose underlying structures such as muscles, tendons, or bones, increasing the risk of infection and complicating the healing process. Reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair the damage and restore the affected area’s appearance and function.
• Infection: A dog bite can carry a high risk of infection due to the bacteria mentioned above. Even minor bites can introduce harmful bacteria into the wound, leading to infections such as cellulitis or abscesses. Prompt cleaning and disinfection of the wound and appropriate medical treatment are essential for preventing infection and promoting healing.
• Nerve damage: In severe cases, dog bites may cause damage to nerves located near the bite site. Nerve damage can result in pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the affected area. Depending on the extent of the damage, nerve injuries may require specialized treatment and rehabilitation to restore function.

Understanding the severity of a dog bite is critical to a victim’s ability to obtain compensation for their injuries. Our experienced Cincinnati dog bite lawyers will know how badly you’re hurt and pursue every dollar you have coming.

What to Do After a Dog Bite?

If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a dog attack, your top priority is getting the medical help you need. Your next priority should be getting the help of a Cincinnati dog bite attorney with Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz. If you can keep the following in mind, you’ll help protect your health and legal interests.

See a Doctor Immediately

Regardless of the severity of the bite, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Again, even seemingly minor bites can lead to severe infections or complications if left untreated. Visit a healthcare provider or emergency room for evaluation and treatment of the wound. Follow their recommendations for wound care, vaccinations (such as tetanus), and any necessary antibiotics.

Document the Incident

As soon as possible after the dog bite, document the incident details. Take photographs of the bite wound, any visible injuries, and the scene where the attack occurred. Note the date, time, location of the incident, the dog’s description, and any identifying information about its owner or handler.

Report What Happened

Contact local authorities, such as animal control or law enforcement, to report the bite. Doing so helps create a record of the attack, which could significantly support your case. Provide as much information as possible about the dog and the circumstances of the bite.

Obtain Witness Statements

If there were witnesses to the dog bite, obtain their contact information. Witness testimony can be valuable in corroborating your account of the incident and establishing liability.

Exchange Information

If you can identify the dog’s owner or handler, exchange contact information with them. Obtain their name, address, phone number, and any relevant insurance information. However, prioritize your safety and avoid confrontation if the owner is uncooperative or hostile.

Preserve Evidence

Keep any clothing or personal belongings damaged during the attack as evidence. You should also retain copies of medical records, bills, and receipts for treating your injuries. This documentation can support your claim if you pursue legal action for compensation.

Consult with a Dog Bite Attorney

Speak with a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer with Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz. We can advise you on your legal rights, help you understand the process for seeking compensation, and represent your interests in negotiations with insurance companies. We can also represent you in court if necessary.

Follow Up on Medical Treatment

Attend all follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider and follow their recommendations for wound care and rehabilitation. Keep detailed records of your medical treatment and any expenses incurred due to the dog bite.

Establishing Liability After a Dog Bite

Our Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz Cincinnati dog bite attorneys will investigate to determine who’s to blame for the attack. This investigation will uncover the accident’s circumstances, the dog’s behavior, and the laws governing what happens next. There are a lot of legal principles at play, but your attorney will deeply understand all of them. Here are just a few that could apply to your case.

• Strict liability: Many states, including Ohio, have strict liability laws for dog bites. Under strict liability, the law holds dog owners responsible for injuries their dogs cause. It typically doesn’t matter whether or not the owner knew about the dog’s previous behavior or knew the dog was aggressive.
• Negligence: If the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from biting or knew that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior but did nothing to address it, the law may find them negligent and liable for resulting injuries.
• Provocation: In some cases, the victim’s actions leading up to the dog bite may affect liability. If the victim provoked the dog or engaged in behavior that could reasonably be expected to elicit an aggressive response, the owner’s liability may be reduced or eliminated. However, provocation must be significant and intentional to excuse the owner’s liability.
• Trespassing: If the victim was trespassing on private property at the time of the dog bite, the owner’s liability may be reduced or eliminated, depending on state law. However, even trespassers may still be entitled to compensation for injuries if the dog owner’s negligence or intentional actions contributed to the attack.

Ohio’s Statute of Limitations

Ohio, like most other states, has a deadline for taking legal action stemming from an action resulting in an injury. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, is two years in our state. This means you have two years from the incident date to file a lawsuit.

However, some exceptions to the statute of limitations exist. If, for instance, the victim was not yet 18 when attacked, they have two years from the day that they turn 18 to file a lawsuit.

Why is the statute of limitations important? Because if you don’t act before the deadline runs out, you forfeit your chance to obtain compensation from the negligent dog owner. You’ll be responsible for all of your attack-related expenses, such as medical bills, wages lost from work, property damage, and others.

Speak With a Skilled Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz Cincinnati Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The attorneys with Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz have more than 30 years of experience helping people in situations like yours. When you choose our firm, you’ll work with a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer who’s passionate about justice. We’ll explore every option to help you get every dollar you deserve.

More than 100,000 clients have turned to us since we started our practice in 1991. We’ve helped them obtain more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements during that time. We’re ready to put all our skills and experience to work for you.

If you would like to learn more about us or schedule a free consultation, please contact us online or give us a call at 1.937.222.2222 as soon as you can.