Were you bitten by a dog in Sidney, Ohio? Contact the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis at (937) 240 4040 for a free consultation. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and suffering. Our experienced Sidney dog bite lawyers can help you pursue a legal claim and fight for damages.
We’re top-rated Ohio trial lawyers with over 150 years of combined experience fighting for accident victims and their families. As dedicated advocates for justice, we’ve successfully obtained tens of millions of dollars in damages for clients like you.
You have a limited time to assert your rights after a dog attack, so reach out to our law office for assistance today.
Why Choose the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis for Help With My Dog Bite Claim in Sidney, OH?
The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis offers compassionate, trustworthy, and powerful legal representation when you need it most. Our Sidney personal injury lawyers appreciate that you have one opportunity to pursue compensation with a dog bite lawsuit, and we’re committed to helping you achieve the best possible case results.
Members of our team have been recognized by leading legal organizations, including Best Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We know the unique rules and procedures that will impact your dog bite case and can offer the depth of resources you’ll need to stand up to the dog owner’s insurance company as you fight for maximum damages.
Give our law office in Sidney, OH, a call today to arrange a complimentary consultation.
Understanding Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws
Ohio is a strict liability state for dog bites. ORC Section 955.28 provides that “the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog” except in the following situations:
- The victim was committing or attempting to commit a non-minor misdemeanor crime on the owner’s property.
- The victim was trespassing.
- The victim provoked the dog.
The dog’s owner has the burden of proving that one of these exceptions applies.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether the dog’s owner took steps to prevent the dog from attacking or whether the dog had a history of aggression. The owner is responsible for the dog’s actions, regardless.
Bringing a Dog Bite Claim as a Matter of Premises Liability
Dog bite cases can also be a matter of premises liability if you’re bitten by a dog on someone else’s property – including someone’s personal home, a local Sidney business, or on public property.
Whether a landlord, business, or property owner can be held liable depends on whether that person or entity qualifies as an owner, keeper, or harborer, or otherwise owed and breached a duty under the facts. Control over the area where the dog was kept or where the attack occurred is often critical.
If a property owner’s failure to take appropriate precautions contributes to a situation in which you’re bitten by the dog, you can potentially hold the owner liable for negligence.
How Much Could My Dog Bite Injury Case Be Worth?
Several factors will influence the potential value of your dog bite case.
We will consider:
- The types of physical injuries you suffered when you were attacked by the dog
- How long you’ll require medical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing care, and other assistance
- Your ability to work after you were bitten by the dog
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Changes in your earning capacity
- How old you were when you were bitten by the dog
- Whether you’ve suffered any bodily disfigurement or scarring
- How being attacked by the dog has affected your mental health and the overall quality of your life
- The dog owner’s insurance coverage and policy limits
- The degree to which you might bear responsibility for the dog attack
The more severely you’re wounded in a dog attack in Sidney, the more likely it is that you’ll be unable to work (at least in some capacity) and struggle with costly medical bills. In turn, the more money you should potentially be able to recover through an insurance claim or dog bite lawsuit.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Dog Attack?
If you decide to file a dog bite lawsuit in Ohio, you’ll have the opportunity to seek two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages offset the financial burdens caused by the dog attack and often include money for:
- Emergency room care, diagnostic tests, corrective and/or plastic surgery, consultations with medical specialists, prosthetics, medical devices, hospitalization, and other current or future medical bills
- Out-of-pocket costs, including those related to home or vehicle modifications required to accommodate a disability
- Temporary loss of wages and benefits
- Long-term and/or permanent disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Funeral expenses if a dog bite is fatal
These losses are often supported by bills, receipts, and other forms of documentation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages acknowledge that a dog bite doesn’t just affect your bank account – it can inflict significant and difficult life changes, too.
Non-economic awards tend to include money for:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Embarrassment
- Reduced quality of life
- Chronic physical pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Juries also have the discretion to award punitive damages if a dog bite lawsuit goes to trial. In these situations, damages are designed to punish a defendant for conduct that was clearly malicious or grossly negligent.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Sidney?
Our dog bite attorneys in Sidney represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You’ll pay nothing to hire our law firm unless we win compensation for your dog bite case.
If we win your dog bite lawsuit, our attorney fees will be deducted from your financial award. It’ll be a predetermined percentage of your financial recovery.
What Are Common Dog Bite Injuries?
Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:
- Nerve damage
- Puncture wounds
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Head injuries
- Eye injuries
- Brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Infections and disease
If you were attacked by a dog, your health and safety should be your top priority. Report the dog attack to the police and do your best to get to the closest emergency room for a thorough medical evaluation. Seeking prompt care can help mitigate your injuries and significantly reduce the risk of related infections, diseases, and other complications.
How Long Will I Have to File a Lawsuit After I’ve Been Bitten by a Dog in Ohio?
In Ohio, the deadline to file a dog bite lawsuit depends on the type of claim you bring. If you pursue a common-law negligence claim for your injuries, you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file suit. If, instead, you bring a claim under Ohio’s dog bite statute, which imposes liability on an owner, keeper, or harborer, you may have up to six years to sue. Wrongful death claims are also generally subject to a two-year deadline.
In some cases, exceptions may apply, especially when a child is bitten, because the filing period can be tolled during minority. Missing the applicable deadline can mean losing your right to seek compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Sidney Dog Bite Lawyers
You don’t have to struggle with the consequences of painful dog bite injuries alone. The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis is here to help you.
Choosing our personal injury law firm puts a team with 150 years of combined experience and a proven ability to win tough cases in your corner. We’ve helped clients win tens of millions of dollars. Now, we’re ready to fight for the best results in your dog bite case, too.
Reach out to our Sidney dog bite attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
