Attorney Joe Paulozzi has been my “go-to” counsel for the last couple decades any time I need legal advice or representation. He has always gone above and beyond and delivered his services in a timely and efficient manner. I always refer my friends and acquaintances to Joe because I know he will faithfully discharge his duties as an Attorney and Counselor at Law to the very best of his knowledge and ability.
If you were bitten by a dog, there are a number of important steps you must take immediately after. First, determine the severity of your injuries. If you are experiencing major injuries or bleeding, seek medical treatment immediately. If the injuries are minor, do your best to stop the bleeding, wash and dress the wound, and keep an eye on it for signs of infection. Next, call the authorities to file an incident report and prevent the animal from endangering others. After they have arrived, gather any and all information about the owner of the dog (name and contact information), gather information from potential witnesses and take photos of your injuries. Finally, reach out to an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to see if they can protect your rights and obtain the fair compensation you are entitled to.
In a strict liability dog bite case, the injured person does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent. In the state of Ohio, the dog owner is strictly liable if the injury was caused by the dog’s behavior, the injured person was not committing a crime or trespassing on the property, and the injured person did not provoke the dog by teasing, tormenting, or abusing it.
This is a common question and one that doesn’t have as clear of an answer as some may assume. Although there are some breeds of dogs that tend to be more aggressive or are more frequently involved in dog attacks/bites, it is unfair and untrue to categorize those breeds as a whole as more likely to bite a person. A dog’s behavior and aggression can be boiled down to a number of things, including their living conditions, amount of interaction with people at a young age, whether the dog is spayed or neutered, if the dog has excessively built-up energy, among others. The bottom line is that ANY dog breed can bite you. The important thing to remember is to be cautious if a dog is acting aggressive or nervous around you.
It can sometimes be difficult to take action if your friend or family member’s dog bit you. In some cases, you could be attached to the dog or don’t want to upset your friend or family member. The important things to remember, though, are that the dog could be a danger to others and that someone must be held liable for your injuries and impending medical bills/damages. It is imperative that you do what is best for yourself, your health, and your financial situation.
Yes, It is important to speak with someone who is experienced and knowledgeable about the laws dictating dog bite claims and lawsuits. Your injuries could result in thousands of dollars in medical bills and potentially require you to miss time from work. At Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers, we have been protecting the rights of dog bite victims since 1992. Call us for a free legal consultation.
Generally, liability is assigned only to owners of dogs. However, it is important to make sure that the dog did not escape from a local shelter or private residence. If you were bitten by a stray dog, you will probably not be able to make a claim or file a lawsuit.
Usually, the liability for a dog bite is on the owner of the dog. But there are two different instances when a landlord could be held liable for a dog bite occurring on their property. First, if the landlord knew that the dog was dangerous i.e. that this dog bit someone on their property in the past, but they continued to allow it there anyway, they could be held liable. Second, if the landlord cares for or watched over the dog i.e takes the dog on walks, feeds the dog, or lets the dog outside for the tenant as a favor, they become a de-facto owner and could be held liable if the dog bites someone.
