Being attacked by a dog is a frightening experience that can happen without warning. A sudden bite can result in severe physical injuries, financial strain, and psychological trauma. After an attack, high stress often clouds your judgment, but understanding your rights is vital for protecting your future.
Under Ohio law, victims of dog attacks have specific rights to seek financial recovery. To get a fair outcome, you must understand your options and the various types of compensation available to you, including:
- Understanding strict liability rules
- Recovering costs for immediate and future medical bills
- Seeking damages for scarring and disfigurement
- Claiming compensation for emotional distress
At the Comunale Law Office, we want you to be aware of your rights when it comes to dog bites. For further information or guidance on your lawsuit, contact our team for a free consultation.
What Are Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws?
In Ohio, dog owners are strictly responsible for the injuries their pets cause. Under Ohio statute section 955.28(B), the owner or harborer of a dog is liable for any damages caused by that dog. You do not have to prove the owner was negligent to recover economic and non-economic damages.
However, the law has exceptions. You can seek financial recovery unless you were doing one of the following at the time of the attack:
- Committing or in the process of committing a criminal trespass
- Attempting to commit a crime
- Actively teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog
You can also bring a negligence-based lawsuit if you can provide evidence that the owner was aware that the dog was highly aggressive. This path can potentially open the door to punitive damages if you prove the owner acted with malice.
Can I Get Compensation for Immediate and Future Medical Bills?
The physical aftermath of a dog bite often requires economic damages. You face immediate medical costs right after the incident. These expenses may include emergency room visits, stitches, vaccinations, and treatment for infections.
Compensation goes far beyond the first hospital visit. Victims can recover costs for future treatments required to fully heal. You can seek payment for:
- Physical therapy sessions
- Ongoing prescription medications
- Future doctor visits
Can I Be Compensated for Recovery for Scarring and Disfigurement?
Dog bites frequently result in permanent scarring or disfigurement, leading to long-term physical and financial impacts. Deep puncture wounds and tearing often leave lasting marks. These injuries are particularly devastating when they occur on vulnerable areas like the face, hands, or legs.
Because these marks change your physical appearance permanently, you can demand specific compensation for them. Victims regularly claim costs for reconstructive surgeries and skin grafts to repair the damage.
Is Compensation Possible for Emotional Distress and Pain?
The psychological trauma of surviving a dog attack can be just as stressful to handle as the injury itself. Compensation is not limited to physical medical bills. Dog bite victims may also have a right to recover non-economic damages.
A vicious bite can leave deep mental scars. You can pursue financial recovery for conditions such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe anxiety
- A newfound fear of dogs
- General pain and suffering
Therapy and counseling costs play a major role in your healing process. You should factor these mental health expenses into your final settlement demand.
Start Your Road to Recovery with Comunale Law Office
Healing from physical and psychological injuries while dealing with the legal system is a highly stressful process. You do not have to face the insurance companies or the dog owner alone.
At the Comunale Law Office, we offer a hands-on, personal approach to help you reach a positive resolution. If you have been bitten by a dog in Dayton or the Miami Valley, let us make a difference in your case. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
