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    Richard Serpe, Top Attorney
    Virginia Best Lawyers 2021, Richard Serpe

    Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer

    If you were attacked by someone else’s dog and your injury required medical attention, you should consider contacting a Virginia dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your medical bills, disfigurement, scarring, plastic surgery, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial losses related to your injuries. Contact Richard Serpe, a Virginia personal injury attorney specializing in Virginia dog bite cases.

    Do You Have A Virginia Dog Bite Case?

    1. Were you attacked by someone else’s dog?
    2. Did the dog attack cause physical injury?
    3. Did you see a doctor for your injuries?
    4. Did the dog attack occur in Virginia?

    If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, consider a free consultation with our legal team (877)544-5323.


    We Represent Victims Across the Commonwealth

    Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C. has successfully settled dog bite injury claims across Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and many other parts of the Commonwealth. We help children, delivery drivers, mail carriers, joggers, neighbors, families suffering from a wrongful death and many others. Serpe Firm is highly experienced in Virginia dog bite cases and will work hard to get you a fair and just settlement.

    Distance Shouldn’t Prevent You From Quality Legal Service

    Distance should never prevent a person from getting the quality legal service and justice they deserve. That’s why we offer meetings in our office (following current guidelines), as well as safely and securely online. Although we are based in Norfolk, our clients reside across the state and the nation. Richard Serpe is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Texas, and Louisiana. As a paperless office, we’ve been technologically equipped to securely and effectively serve our clients for over a decade.


    Attorney Richard Serpe

    Virginia dog bite lawyer Richard Serpe

    As a Virginia personal injury attorney, Richard Serpe advocates for those who have been injured due to negligence. Mr. Serpe is a highly skilled attorney with a reputation for meticulous preparation and presentation. He has a track record of success in obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for his clients.

    Awards & Recognition: “Super Lawyer” – top 5% of lawyers in Virginia (2006 – Present); Best Lawyers in America (2005 – Present) and Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for Plaintiffs (2020); AV rating (highest given) from the Martindale-Hubbell law directory; Rated 10/10 – “Superb” by attorney rating service Avvo.com.

    WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US
    Norma, Manassas, Virginia
    Understanding, Compassionate and Trustworthy
    “I strongly and sincerely recommend Richard J. Serpe. Understanding, Compassionate and trustworthy. They are very knowledgeable and they WILL GET THE MOST compensation for your case. I was just looking
    - Norma, Manassas, Virginia
    Arshia T., Fairfax, VA
    Thankfully, I reached out to Richard Serpe, who handled everything for me.
    The attack left me with serious injuries on my face and arm. The whole process was much easier than I ever expected, and his entire team was so easy to
    - Arshia T., Fairfax, VA
    Shaniqua J., Winchester, VA
    Richard Serpe, and his staff did a thorough investigation into the dog owner
    … and were able to secure a settlement for my daughter. The settlement allowed us to pay her medical bills, as well as set aside funds for her future education.
    - Shaniqua J., Winchester, VA
    NO LEGAL FEE
    UNLESS WE SETTLE OR WIN
    Virginia Dog Bite Settlements
    $100,000.00
    Mail Carrier (USPS)
    Serious knee injury in dog attack
    Norfolk, VA
    $130,000.00
    Child Facial Bite
    5-year-old bitten on face, lip, and mouth
    Arlington, VA
    $160,000.00
    Neighbor
    Attacked by neighbor's dog in own yard
    Portsmouth, VA
    $100,000.00
    FedEx Driver
    Serious injuries to arm
    Wythe Co., VA
    $150,000.00
    Facial Bite
    Serious facial injuries
    Alexandria, VA
    Free Consultations

    What should I do if I was attacked by a dog?

    Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to compensation:

    1. Get medical attention. First and foremost, if you’ve been injured, it is always a good idea to seek medical attention from a professional to protect your health. If you plan to make a personal injury claim, your medical records will document the serious nature of your injuries. If you do not seek medical treatment for your injuries, the defendant and his/her insurance company may try to claim 1) that your injuries were not serious, or 2) that you were not injured in the attack.
    2. Report the incident to the police, fire, or animal control department. When an animal attacks a person, that animal has become a potential threat to the health and safety of the public and should be reported to authorities. Further, animal control will need to conduct an investigation into the incident as well as quarantine the animal for rabies. The animal control investigative findings will become crucial evidence in your personal injury case.
    3. Consider contacting a lawyer. While hiring a lawyer is not required, having an experienced professional to advocate for your needs could mean a larger settlement for you and your family. A successful settlement can cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, plastic surgery, permanent injuries and disabilities, a wrongful death, as well as the loss of earning capacity.

    Virginia Dog Bite Laws

    Information on Virginia dog bite laws.

    Virginia’s “One Bite” Rule

    If a dog owner knows that their pet has bitten at least one time in the past, they can be held liable for the damages caused in subsequent attacks. In other words, if Fido got into trouble for biting a neighbor last year, his owner must take necessary precautions to prevent additional attacks from occurring. Should Fido bite again, his owner will likely be held responsible for the victim’s financial losses. This is because the owner knew of the dog’s violent tendencies but did not take action to prevent additional attacks.

    Negligence Per Se

    Even if the dog does not have a violent past, negligent owners can still be held liable if a law was broken at the time of the attack. Victims may sue for compensation so long as they have evidence that the owner failed to control their pet and follow the law. For instance, if you’re at the park and are attacked by a dog whose owner has let it roam off the leash, you may have a viable claim. The decision to allow the dog off the leash in a place with strict leash requirements demonstrates the owner’s negligence.

    Statute of Limitations (Deadlines)

    In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. Typically, Virginia provides a two-year deadline also known as the statute of limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances can alter that deadline. While two years seems like a long time, it takes time for you to heal and it takes time to build a strong case. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. At the least, consider contacting someone to discuss your options as early as possible to protect your right to compensation.

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