The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C. has successfully settled dog bite injury claims across Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and many other parts of the state including Alexandria.
We help children, delivery drivers (FedEx, UPS, food delivery), USPS mail carriers, joggers, neighbors, families suffering from a wrongful death and many others.
Attorney Richard Serpe is highly experienced in Virginia dog bite and attack cases and will work hard to get you the settlement you deserve.
Do You Have an Alexandria Dog Bite Case?
- Were you or a loved one attacked by someone else’s dog?
- Did the attack cause serious physical injury?
- Did you seek medical attention for your injuries?
- Was the attack a result of negligence?
- Did the attack occur in Alexandria or somewhere else in Virginia?
If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, you may have a Virginia personal injury case. Consider contacting our experienced Virginia dog bite lawyers to discuss your situation.
We offer risk-free consultations 757-233-0009.
What to Do After An Alexandria Dog Attack
Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to compensation after a dog attack in Alexandria or anywhere else in Virginia:
#1 See a Doctor. If you’ve been hurt, it is always a good idea to see a doctor to protect your health. Untreated wounds can become infected, and it’s possible you may need rabies shots.
If you plan to make a personal injury claim, your medical records will document the serious nature of your injuries.
#2 Report the Incident. When a dog attacks a person, that dog has become a potential threat to the health and safety of the public and must be reported to authorities.
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 dog bite case.
- Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 703-746-4774
#3 Contacting a Lawyer. 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, and losses from a wrongful death.
Compensation for Virginia Dog Bite Victims
Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and suffering and mental anguish you have suffered and could possibly endure in the future.
- Loss of Earnings: Recovery for the loss of earnings which you suffered from your injuries.
- Disfigurement: If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, the victim is entitled to recovery for the disfigurement. Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery.
- Medical Expenses: Medical expenses that a victim has had to pay for at a hospital, urgent care, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, etc.
- Wrongful Death of a Loved One: Fatal dog attacks don’t happen very often, but when they do occur, they’re always incredibly tragic. The Virginia wrongful death statute allows certain family members of the victim to file a claim on the behalf of the deceased.
Virginia Dog Bite Settlement Examples
- $425,000 – Child suffered severe facial bites in Richmond, VA.
- $175,000 – Adult bitten on the face in Newport News, VA.
- $160,000 – Adult sustained a leg injury in Portsmouth, VA.
- $149,000 – Pedestrian bitten by a dog in Virginia Beach, VA.
- $134,000 – Child attacked by a neighbor’s dog in Arlington, VA.
- $100,000 – FedEx driver severely bitten in Wythe, VA.
- $100,000 – USPS mail carrier required surgery in Norfolk, VA.
Virginia Dog Bite Laws
Under Virginia law, dog owners or those responsible for the care and control of a dog have specific legal duties, including:
- Preventing Dogs from Running at Large: Dog owners must exercise reasonable care to ensure their pets do not roam beyond the boundaries of their property.
- Preventing Attacks or Injuries: If a dog owner knows or, through reasonable care, should have known that their dog might attack or injure another person, they have a duty to take steps to prevent the incident.
- Knowledge of a Dog’s Propensities: Dog owners are expected to understand both the general tendencies of dogs and any specific traits associated with their dog’s breed. If the owner knows—or should have known—of behaviors likely to cause harm, they must take reasonable precautions to prevent injuries that could be anticipated based on those traits.
Statute of Limitations (Legal 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. At minimum, consider contacting an attorney to discuss your options, as early as possible, to protect your right to compensation.
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer Richard Serpe
Richard Serpe, an experienced Virginia dog bite lawyer, is dedicated to representing individuals injured due to someone else’s negligence.
With nearly 40 years of legal experience, he has focused much of his career on advocating for and protecting the rights of the injured.
If you’ve been injured in an Alexandria or Virginia dog attack, contact attorney Richard Serpe for a free consultation to discuss your situation.