Prince William County, VA Dog Bite Lawyer
Our Virginia and Prince William dog bite lawyers know the rules, the regulations, and the laws surrounding dog attacks. We have helped clients around the state get the justice and compensation they deserve. We have helped children, mail carriers, UPS and FedEx delivery drivers, pedestrians, joggers, neighbors, and many others over the years. If you've been attacked, contact us to discuss your legal options.
What to do After a Dog Attack
- Get medical attention. After a dog bite or attack, you may be at risk for rabies or other serious infections. In order to proceed with a case, you must have proof of your injuries and medical expenses.
- Report the incident to authorities. You should also report the incident to the police or Prince William County Animal Control (703-792-6500) so that they can launch an investigation into the incident and locate the dog. It is likely that the dog will be quarantined.
- Take photos of your injuries. Be sure to take photos of your injuries right after the attack, and continue to take photos throughout the healing process. This will be important evidence for your case.
- Hire a dog bite lawyer. Consider speaking to a Virginia dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Dog Bite Settlements & Compensation
Depending on the circumstances of the situation, certain types of compensation may be available to dog bite victims:
- Pain and suffering: physical pain and suffering and mental anguish may be included.
- Loss of Earnings: You may be entitled to recover for the loss of earnings which you suffered from your injuries.
- Future Loss of Earnings: If your injuries have prevented you from your ability to earn income in the future, you may be able to recover damages for the value of the reduction in earning capacity with reasonable probability which will occur in the future.
- Disfigurement: If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, the victim may be entitled to recovery for the disfigurement. Because these injuries are often in very visible places, victims are often very self-conscious of their appearance.
- Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery.
- Medical Bills: Damages include any sort of medical expenses that a victim has had to pay for at a hospital, clinic, or to a pharmacy.
- Wrongful Death of a Loved One: Fatal dog attacks don’t happen very often, but when they do occur, they’re always incredibly tragic. No one ever expects to lose a loved one in such a violent way. The Virginia wrongful death statute allows certain family members of the victim to file a claim on the behalf of the deceased.
Statute of Limitations (Claim Deadlines)
In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. In many cases, Virginia provides a two-year deadline also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances apply and can alter that deadline. It is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident to protect your rights.
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer Richard Serpe
Richard Serpe’s Professional Honors:
– Rated 10/10 – “Superb” by the respected online attorney rating service, Avvo.com
– Listed in The Best Lawyers in America ® since 2005
– Received an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell law directory, which is the highest given
– Named a “Super Lawyer” – among the top 5 percent of lawyers in Virginia since 2006
Prince William County Dog Laws
Prince William County, Virginia, has numerous laws related to dog ownership and safety.
- In PWC, all dogs 4 months and older must be licensed and renewed annually. In addition, the dog must wear the license tag or the owner may be fined.
- Prince William County forbids dogs from running freely within the county unless engaged in a specific, protected function such as hunting or training.
- Citizens are required to report any knowledge of a dog bite to the proper authorities. These laws, of course, are intended to keep aggressive dogs from harming any individuals.
Prince William County points out that nearly eighty percent of dog bite victims know the owner of the dog. Over fifty percent of such victims are under the age of fifteen, and most are between four and nine years old. Many bites occur while playing with a dog, with the victim having no intention of harming or harassing the animal.
Prince William County Animal Control
14807 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112
703-792-6500
We represent victims of dog attacks in Prince William County, Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, Quantico, Aden, Antioch, Bethel, Bentsville, Bristow, Buckhall, Buckland, Bull Run, Canova, Catharpin, Cherry Hill, Cornwell, Dale City, Featherstone, Gainesville, Greenwich, Hoadly, Independent Hill, Lake Ridge, Linton Hall, Loch Lomond, Montclair, Nokesville, Rixlew, Southbridge, Sudley, Thoroughfare, Triangle, Waterfall, Wellington, West Gate, Woodbridge, Yorkshire and throughout Virginia.