It’s no secret that veterinarians regularly deal with unruly, injured, and agitated animals like cats, dogs, horses, birds, and more. Yet, few realize how often vets get injured.
According to recent statistics released by the American Veterinary Medical Association, an average of 12 percent of veterinary service professionals report work-related injuries and illnesses yearly. Many of these injuries are caused by dog bites.
Unfortunately, accidents happen. Sometimes, a dog can severely wound a vet, leading to lawsuits. So, if your dog has bitten a vet, it’s only natural to wonder if they can sue you. In this blog, our Ohio lawyers at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz discuss a possible legal action by a vet.
In Ohio, you won’t owe a vet any money for a dog bite until it has been proven that he or she has a valid case against you.
Unfortunately, a vet could use many viable legal theories to form the basis of a successful lawsuit. That’s why it’s usually best to hire a lawyer for legal advice when you believe a vet will sue you because of your dog biting them.
However, no matter which legal theory a vet utilizes when filing a case against you, they must provide evidence to support your case.
Likewise, you will need evidence to prove their viewpoint incorrect. This is another element of the legal proceedings an attorney can help you with.
But when exactly can a vet sue you? There are a few instances:
Ultimately, you have a few defenses if your dog has bitten a vet. Namely, you can use the one-bite rule in your favor if your dog doesn’t have a history of biting people. In addition, you can use the defense that you weren’t negligent, nor were there any negligent acts committed by you that led to your dog biting the vet. Moreover, you can use the defense that your dog is not known as a ‘dangerous’ or ‘vicious’ animal.
Furthermore, you might also have the opportunity to dismiss a vet’s lawsuit if a court determines that a veterinarian is considered the keeper of the animal under his or her care. If the vet is found to be the animal’s keeper from a legal perspective, they are the dog’s owner while the animal is under their care. Thus, you might be able to have the lawsuit dismissed before it begins with the help of a dog bite attorney.
At Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz, we handle dog bite claims, represent injury victims, and determine the true liability for a bite. Contact us here, as we’re eager to apply our decades of experience to your case.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., Doug Mann, a top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
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