If you were bitten by a dog, here are steps you should take:

Steps After Dog Bite | Lawyers Protecting You

1. Seek medical attention: If your injuries are severe, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. Even if your injuries are minor, it’s still important to seek medical attention to prevent infection and ensure that the wound is properly cleaned and treated.
2. Gather information: If possible, get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner and any witnesses to the incident. Take photos of your injuries and the location where the bite occurred.
3. Report the incident: Contact your local animal control agency or police department to report the incident. They will investigate the incident and may be able to identify the dog and its owner.
4. Consult with an attorney: If you were seriously injured, you may want to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options and navigate the process of filing a claim for damages.
5. Follow up with your healthcare provider: Make sure to follow any instructions provided by your healthcare provider, such as taking antibiotics or getting a tetanus shot, to prevent infection and ensure proper healing of the wound.

It’s important to take dog bites seriously, as they can result in serious injuries and even death in some cases. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that you receive the proper medical care and support, and that the dog’s owner is held accountable if appropriate.

THERE IS STRICT LIABILITY WHEN A DOG BITES SOMEONE

For those of you who own or rent a home, and own a dog, are you strictly liable when your dog bites someone?  From 2000 to 2010, dog bites accounted for an average of one quarter of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims, costing roughly $321.6 million. In Ohio, an owner and keeper of a dog is strictly liable for damages caused by the dog on the owner’s property or in a public place. Ohio Revised Code § 955.11 eliminates the requirement of showing that the owner knew of the dog’s vicious propensities. A dog owner is liable regardless of whether the owner knew of the dog’s vicious propensities or had reason to believe that the dog would act in a vicious manner. The only defenses available to the dog owner include cases where the injured party trespassed on the dog owner’s property, engaged in criminal conduct, or teased, tormented, or abused the dog on the owner’s property.

In case you are unaware, Ohio no longer requires that the victim prove that the owner had knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, that the dog was vicious, or that the owner kept the dog in a negligent manner.

Here are some more helpful tips if you have been a victim of a dog bite: 

(1) obtain as many witness names and addresses as possible;

(2) gather as much information as you can about the owner’s homeowner’s insurance;

(3) take pictures of all of your injuries;

(4) obtain medical treatment as soon as possible; and

(5) take down as many notes about the incident as possible.

The next step is to speak to Attorney Tom Somos right away because the insurance companies are NOT your friend. They will want to have you settle as fast as possible with as little out of their pockets. That is why you should call me at 614-486-7070 as soon as possible and let me help you get the compensation you deserve!