When the victim of an Ohio dog bite injury seeks compensation for their damages, the easiest and quickest route is to file an insurance claim based on the dog owner’s homeowners or renters policy. These types of policies typically cover dog bite liability and related expenses up to the policy limits.
If your damages exceed the policy limits, you may have to fight for a payout straight from the dog owner. This is rare, however. Most dog bites are relatively minor and do not come anywhere close to the $100,000 or higher liability limits of most homeowners’ policies.
Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Injury Case in Ohio
If you recover compensation through a settlement agreement with the insurer or a court award following an Ohio dog bite incident, you will likely receive a payout that covers a wide variety of damages you suffered as a result of the attack.
While this varies somewhat from case to case, some common recoverable damages include:
- Medical care costs
- Ongoing and future care costs
- Prescription medications and painkillers
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damages, for broken glasses or a broken phone
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Ohio Law Allows You to Pursue Compensation from the Dog Owner after an Attack
Unlike some states that continue to follow dog bite laws established by common law and do not allow victims to take action based on a dog’s first bite, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Title 9, Chapter 955 does. You can hold the dog owner liable for any unprovoked bites or attacks, no matter their animal’s history.
Proof of the dog’s previous viciousness and bad behavior is not necessary to win the case. You can find this law under ORC §955.28(B). This law allows you to file an insurance claim with the dog owner’s homeowner or renter insurance policy provider. Alternatively, you may need to take your case to court to prove liability and damages.
Bressman Law can take Legal Action on Your Behalf
Attorney David Bressman and the team from Bressman Law can help you pursue damages in a central Ohio dog bite case. We can investigate your case, gather evidence, and put together a strong argument to support recovering the compensation you deserve based on the facts of your case.
Our team strives to treat every client like a member of our family. We can explain your rights and options to you and maintain open channels of communication throughout the process. We are always here to answer your questions and address your concerns. You are never a case number to us.
Our team is prepared to:
- Assign a value to your accident-related losses
- Negotiate with the insurance company, so you do not have to
- File paperwork
- Help you stay within the relevant statute of limitations
- Keep you up-to-date throughout the case
- Protect your legal rights
- Stand with you in court, if the need arises
At the same time, we can provide legal action and negotiating tactics to get a fair payout based on the facts of the case.
You do not have to take on Your Case by Yourself
After a dog bite, you might be bedridden and scrambling to get back to normal life. Now is not the time to argue with insurance adjusters and hunt down paperwork. Lean on our team at this time.
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Act Quickly before Time Runs Out to hold the Dog Owner Liable for Your Damages
In Ohio, you only have a limited time to take legal action to hold a dog owner liable. We might negotiate an insurance payout, but if they refuse to pay us enough, the statute of limitations could become relevant. You generally have six years from the date of the attack to take legal action. You risk losing your right to claim compensation in court if you miss the timeline.
If the attack victim was your child, the clock does not begin ticking until the child turns 18. This means we can take legal action until they become 24 years old. Still, it pays to let us investigate your case as soon as possible before evidence disappears.
We can even visit you in the first days or weeks after an accident. We will meet you at home or in your hospital room if you are undergoing treatment for your injuries.
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Affording Legal Representation from Our Team
You do not need to pay us before we agree to work for you. Some lawyers have payment structures that call for hourly fees. We do not want to complicate your situation any further than it already is. So, we draw up an agreement at the start of our working relationship that defines how much our attorney’s fee will be.
We take this fee from any award we win for you. Our team strives to secure a settlement or judgment that covers your losses and our fee.
About Bressman Law
Attorney David Bressman has been serving personal injury clients for more than 30 years. The team from Bressman Law can review your case and help you pursue the payout you deserve.
We will go after a fair amount available through the insurance company, based on the facts of your case. If this is not enough to cover your damages, we can also represent you in court in a lawsuit against the dog owner.
Talk with a Dog Bite Attorney’s Team in Ohio about Pursuing Compensation
Call our office today for your free case review and consultation with a member of our team. Bressman Law is ready to take on your dog bite injury case.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
