Dog Bite Lawyer Lawyer in Akron, OH

Even dogs that are beloved family pets can attack — especially when they are scared, anxious, or poorly trained. The bites they inflict can cause significant physical and emotional scars that can be expensive to treat. You should not be left dealing with these repercussions if you were not to blame for the attack. The team at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Our Akron dog bite lawyers have decades of experience representing injured people and can handle all the legal work in your case. We are ready to start work immediately, will communicate with you openly and clearly, and are always available to take your calls. And because we won’t charge a fee unless we win, you won’t owe us anything out of pocket.

Call us today or visit our contact page for a free consultation with a dog-bite lawyer in Akron, OH.

Common Injuries from Dog Bites

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), dogs bite over 4.5 million people every year nationwide. More than 800,000 of these dog bite victims require medical attention as a result. Common injuries from dog bites in Akron include:

• Scratches and bruises
• Lacerations
• Puncture wounds
• Skin tears
• Broken bones
• Torn ligaments or tendons
• Eye injuries
• Face injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Heightened anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Akron Dog Regulations

Knowing a little about state and local laws that apply to dogs can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation. Under Ohio law, a dog’s owner or keeper is nearly always liable for any injuries caused by a dog bite. While some states have a “one-bite rule” that makes it harder to sue a dog’s owner unless the dog has attacked before, Ohio does not. If a dog bites someone, the only situations where the dog’s owner or keeper is not liable for the victim’s injuries are when:

• The injured party was trespassing when the dog bit them.
• The injured party was committing or attempting to commit a crime.
• The dog was provoked, taunted, or abused by the injured party.
• The dog is a service animal working for the police, government, or military.

Other Ohio laws define an owner’s responsibilities if their dog bites someone. These duties include a requirement for the dog’s owner to keep the dog in the same county where the attack occurred. The dog’s owner must also quarantine the dog until local authorities determine whether the dog has rabies.

All Ohio dog owners must also obtain a license for their dog within thirty days of getting the animal and renew the license each year. In Akron, you can purchase a dog license at the Summit County Fiscal Office.

While state laws play a crucial role in Ohio dog bite cases, Akron also has its own dog rules on the books. These state that:

• Any female dog in heat must be kept on its owner’s property.
• All dogs must have a rabies vaccination performed by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days after the dog turns three months old.
• Dogs cannot damage, deface, or leave waste on private or public property. The dog’s owner must remove and properly dispose of any pet waste.
• Dogs are not allowed to bother other people by continuously howling or barking.
• The city’s Animal Warden can seize any dog that bites someone or another pet after submitting a petition to the courts.
• All dogs must be leashed and under their owner’s control when they are off the owner’s property.

What Types of Compensation Are Available for Dog Bite Victims in Akron?

If you suffered injuries from a dog bite in Akron, a personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for losses like:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of future care you may need
• Lost wages and other income
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Lower quality of life
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress

An Akron dog bite attorney can tell you more about what compensation you could recover in your case.

Average Settlements for Dog Bite Cases

Every dog bite injury case is different, so there is no such thing as a truly “average” settlement. The amount you can recover in compensation depends on several factors, including:

• The type and severity of your injuries
• The cost of your medical treatment
• How your injuries affect your ability to work and earn a living
• The emotional distress caused by your injuries
• The available evidence in your case
• The extent of insurance coverage provided by the owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?

Ohio law typically gives you two years from the date you sustained a dog bite injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the courts will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to compensation. While most such cases settle out of court, an insurer has less motivation to negotiate without the threat of a lawsuit.

Do You Need an Akron Dog Bite Lawyer?

There is no legal requirement for you to hire an Akron personal injury lawyer before filing a dog bite injury lawsuit. However, these cases are much harder to win without experienced legal representation. Some things a dog bite injury attorney can do for you include:

• Handling all the legal work in your case while you focus on your medical treatment
• Gathering evidence to show how the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries
• Explaining the laws that apply to your case
• Filing your case before the statute of limitations expires
• Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance companies
• Preparing your case for court, if necessary

Contact an Akron Dog Bite Injury Attorney Today

Pet owners need to be held accountable when their animals injure others. The team at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law is ready to take your case and help you recover fair compensation for a dog bite injury. Call us today or visit our contact page for a free consultation with an Akron dog bite attorney.