Dog Bite Attorneys in Dayton, OH

Dog Bite Attorneys in Dayton, OH

While most dogs are friendly and harmless, there are unfortunate situations where a dog may unexpectedly attack an innocent bystander. This can happen whether you’re walking down the street or visiting someone’s home. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, the owner might be held liable for your injuries depending on the specific circumstances of the case. The Dog Bite Attorneys in Dayton, OH at the Buckeye Law Group are experienced in handling complex dog bite cases and can help you navigate the legal process to seek the compensation you deserve.

What Is the One-Bite Rule and How Can It Affect Your Case?

The “one-bite” rule, also known as the “first bite” rule, can vary from state to state. In some states, this rule means that dog owners are not held liable for the first bite if they were unaware of their dog’s potential to be dangerous. However, Ohio’s statute is quite clear: dog owners are liable for injuries their dog causes, even if the dog had never shown aggressive behavior before. This means that while the rule in Ohio holds owners accountable from the first bite, proving your case might still be challenging.

Dog owners often provide counter-narratives to defend against claims, asserting that the victim was at fault or exaggerating their injuries. A skilled Dog Bite Attorney in Dayton, OH can help you gather evidence and build a strong case by establishing negligence on the part of the dog owner or demonstrating violations of local leash laws or other regulations.

Proving a Fault in Your Dog Bite Case

Proving your dog bite claim in Ohio can be tricky if it’s just your word against the dog owner’s word. Although owners are at-fault for the first bite regardless, it can be helpful to your narrative to show the dog had a history of aggressive behavior prior to biting you. This can potentially be done through various means, including:

Previous incidents: Establishing the dog has bitten or attacked someone in the past can help bolster your claim that it attacked you. Obtaining records or statements from those incidents can be vital evidence. This demonstrates the dog had a known history of aggression.

Animal control reports: Contacting local animal control authorities can help uncover any previous complaints or reports filed against the dog. If there were prior incidents of aggressive behavior documented by authorities, it strengthens your case.

Witness testimony: Gathering testimonies from witnesses who have seen the dog display aggressive behavior or who have been victims of its aggression can support your claim. Their accounts can provide crucial evidence to establish the dog’s dangerous propensities.

Video or photo evidence: If there are any videos or photographs capturing the dog’s aggressive behavior, such as growling, lunging or snapping, it can serve as strong evidence to establish it is dangerous.

Are There Instances When a Dog Owner Isn’t Liable for Injuries?

Yes, there are certain situations where a dog owner may not be held liable for injuries:

• Provocation: If the bite occurred because you were teasing or provoking the dog, the owner may not be held responsible.
• Dog Sitting: If you were caring for someone else’s dog at the time of the attack, you may not have a valid dog bite claim as you were responsible for the dog’s behavior.
• Trespassing: If you were trespassing on the dog owner’s property when the bite occurred, it may prevent you from holding the owner liable. Property owners owe a higher duty of care to invited guests or lawful visitors than to trespassers.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, the Dog Bite Attorneys in Dayton, OH at the Buckeye Law Group are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.