Can I Receive Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury?

 Posted on August 12, 2021 in Personal Injury

Many people keep dogs as pets and treat them as members of their families. However, dogs do not always behave as expected, and even if an animal had always acted in a friendly manner, it may bite or attack someone. Dog bites can inflict multiple types of serious injuries, including severe cuts and bruises, broken bones, and puncture wounds that damage muscles, tendons, ligaments, or internal organs. In some cases, dog bites can result in permanent scars, and a victim may also experience emotional trauma that affects their ongoing well-being. 

Dog bite victims can sometimes be placed in a difficult position, especially if they are attacked by a dog that is owned by a friend or family member. When an attack occurs in a public place, at someone else’s home, or when a dog is in the care of someone other than the animal’s owner, victims may be unsure about their options. By understanding how the personal injury laws in Ohio address dog bites, victims can make sure they take the right steps to receive compensation for their injuries and damages.

Liability for Dog Bite Injuries in Ohio

“Strict liability” applies to dog bite injuries in Ohio. This means that when a dog bites or attacks someone, the victim may seek compensation for the injuries and property damage they have suffered, and liability will not be affected by whether a dog had previously bitten someone or exhibited aggressive tendencies. 

In addition to the dog’s owner, a harborer or keeper of a dog may be held liable for a victim’s injuries. A harborer is a person who owns or controls the property where a dog is kept. This may include a landlord or a person that the dog’s owner was living with, such as a family member. A keeper may be any other person who was in control of a dog, such as a dog walker, the owner of a kennel, or a friend or family member of the dog’s owner who was watching the dog temporarily.

There are a few situations where liability for a dog bite or attack may not apply. These include cases where a victim was trespassing on the property of the dog’s owner or otherwise committing or attempting to commit a crime other than a minor misdemeanor. A victim may also be barred from seeking compensation if they were bitten or attacked after they teased, tormented, abused, or otherwise provoked a dog while it was on the owner’s private property. The statute of limitations for dog bite injury cases in Ohio is two years, meaning that a victim must pursue a claim or lawsuit within two years after the date the dog bite or attack occurred.

Contact Our Wooster Dog Bite Injury Attorney

If you have been bitten by a dog, The Law Office of Whitney K.S. Miller, LLC can help you determine your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and property damage. Contact our Summit County personal injury lawyer today at 330-725-4114. We offer free consultations in most cases.

Sources:

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-955.28

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10