Were you or a loved one bitten by a dog in Westlake, Ohio? Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for a free consultation at (419) 502-5821. Our trusted Westlake dog bite lawyers can help you file a claim for maximum compensation and take your case to court if needed.
With 181 years of combined experience and over $100 million secured for our clients to date, we have a track record of success that insurance companies across the State of Ohio recognize. You’ll have the peace of mind that your case is in qualified hands from the start if you hire our legal team.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to Help Me After a Dog Bite in Westlake, Ohio?
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has been successfully standing up for accident victims in Ohio for decades.
Here are some reasons to consider trusting our Westlake personal injury lawyers with your dog bite claim:
- Our case results include notable recoveries of seven figures or more.
- Members of our legal team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
- We have over 200 five-star reviews on Google.
Call our law office in Westlake, Ohio, today for a free case review. Our Westlake dog bite attorneys will work hard to put as much compensation as possible into your pocket.
What Are Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws?
Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. Under Ohio Revised Code § 955.28(B), the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable for any injury, death, or loss that the dog causes to another person or their property. What makes this law significant for victims is that you do not have to prove the dog had any history of aggression or that the owner was negligent in any way.
In other words, if a dog bites you in Westlake, the owner is responsible by default. It doesn’t matter if the dog has never bitten anyone before or whether the owner took the proper precautions. The statute holds them liable simply because their dog caused your injury.
Are There Any Defenses to a Dog Bite Claim in Ohio?
While Ohio’s strict liability law strongly favors the victim, there are a few limited situations where the dog’s owner may not be held responsible.
Under the statute, the owner is not liable if the victim was:
- Trespassing or attempting to trespass on the owner’s property at the time of the attack
- Committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense (other than a minor misdemeanor) against any person
- Teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner’s property
Outside of these specific circumstances, the owner is on the hook. Notably, assumption of risk is not a valid defense in a strict liability dog-bite case in Ohio, as the Ohio Supreme Court made clear in Pulley v. Malek.
How Much Is My Westlake Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of a dog bite case depends on a number of factors that are unique to each situation. Cases involving severe injuries tend to be worth more, but that’s only part of the equation.
Some of the factors that can influence the value of your case include:
- The severity of your injuries and whether you’ll need future medical treatment
- The extent of any permanent scarring or disfigurement
- How much time you’ve missed from work, and whether the injury affects your long-term earning ability
- The emotional and psychological impact of the attack
- Whether the dog owner has homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance to cover the claim
- How compelling the evidence supporting your case is
In many dog bite cases, the long-term effects of the attack are just as important as the immediate injuries. Victims may require ongoing medical care, reconstructive procedures, counseling, or rehabilitation. Children, in particular, can experience lasting emotional trauma after a serious animal attack, which may significantly affect the overall value of a claim.
Our legal team will conduct a thorough review of your situation to make sure every aspect of your damages is accounted for. We may also work with medical professionals and other experts when needed to help demonstrate the full value of your claim.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Westlake?
A successful dog bite claim in Westlake can result in both economic and non-economic damages being awarded to you by the court or through a settlement.
Economic damages are for your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages represent the more personal impact, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anxiety and trauma
Punitive damages are not available under Ohio’s strict liability dog bite statute. However, if you also pursue a negligence-based claim alongside your strict liability case, punitive damages may be on the table in situations involving particularly reckless conduct by the dog’s owner.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Incident in Westlake?
As discussed above, the owner can pin the blame for a bog bite incident in Ohio on you only in narrow circumstances. That said, if your case involves a negligence-based claim in addition to strict liability, Ohio’s modified comparative negligence law may come into play. Under this rule, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. If your share of the blame exceeds 50%, you would be barred from recovering damages altogether.
For example, if a jury finds your total damages to be $150,000 but determines you were 10% at fault, you’d receive $135,000. Insurance companies will try to inflate your percentage as much as possible, which is why having a dog bite lawyer in Westlake on your side who can push back on those arguments may be in your best interest.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Westlake, OH?
Hiring a dog bite attorney in Westlake with our law firm won’t cost you anything out of pocket. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means we don’t charge by the hour and there are no upfront fees to worry about.
In most circumstances, we’ll receive around 33% of the compensation we recover for you as payment for our work. The percentage can vary depending on the case, but we’ll sign an agreement so you’ll know what to expect. If we fail to recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us anything.
This setup benefits everyone involved. You get experienced legal representation no matter your financial situation, and we have every reason to fight for the highest possible result we can on your behalf.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Ohio?
The filing deadline for a dog bite claim in Ohio depends on the type of case you’re pursuing. For negligence-based personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the attack. Strict liability lawsuits carry a six-year deadline.
Since the time limit for your case may be different than the default, it’s best to seek legal advice as soon as you can. Our personal injury lawyers in Westlake can help ensure you take appropriate action that meets the applicable filing deadline.
Contact Our Experienced Westlake Dog Bite Attorneys to Schedule a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a dog bite attack in Westlake, OH? Significant compensation may be available to you from the animal’s owner. Look no further than Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to help you fight for compensation, no matter what that might entail.
Our Westlake dog bite attorneys have 181 years of combined experience and have already won over $100 million for our clients. Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn more about what we can do for you going forward.