Attacked by a Dog in Chesapeake?
A dog attack can cause serious injuries and lasting trauma. If you were bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog in Chesapeake, you may have the right to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
For decades, the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC has represented dog bite victims across Virginia. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Send us on email, try our chat, or give us a call at 757-233-0009.
Do You Have a Dog Bite Case?
You may have a personal injury case if:
- You or a loved one was attacked by someone else’s dog in Chesapeake or anywhere in Virginia
- The attack caused physical injury requiring medical treatment
- The dog owner or caretaker was negligent (for example, the dog was off-leash, unrestrained, or had a known history of aggression)
If this describes your situation, you should speak with a Virginia dog bite attorney as soon as possible.
Virginia Dog Bite Laws: What Chesapeake Residents Should Know
To report a dog attack in Chesapeake, contact: Chesapeake Animal Services Unit 2100 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: 757-382-8080
Virginia holds dog owners legally responsible when their animal injures a person. Here are Chesapeake’s laws regarding dogs:
Leash and restraint requirements. Dogs must remain on their owner’s property unless accompanied by their owner or another responsible person. When off the property, dogs must be on a leash and wearing a collar at all times.
Running at large. Virginia law prohibits dogs from “running at large,” meaning roaming off their owner’s property without supervision or restraint. Under Virginia Code § 3.2-6538, it is unlawful for any dog, licensed or unlicensed, to run at large. Owners whose dogs habitually run at large may face penalties including fines and the confinement or removal of the animal.
Dangerous and vicious dog classifications. If a dog attacks a person or another animal in Chesapeake, animal control can impound the dog pending a court hearing. A judge may then classify the dog as “dangerous” or “vicious” under Virginia law, which triggers additional restrictions on the owner — and strengthens your civil case.
Mandatory quarantine after a bite. Any dog that bites or scratches a human in Chesapeake must be quarantined for 10 days, overseen by Chesapeake Animal Services. An owner who refuses to comply can face criminal charges.
Two-year statute of limitations. Virginia generally gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain situations, including cases involving minors, may extend or alter this deadline. Do not wait to consult an attorney.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Dog bite victims in Virginia can pursue damages for losses caused by the attack, including:
Medical expenses. Emergency room care, surgery, wound treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, and any future medical care related to your injuries.
Lost wages and earning capacity. If your injuries kept you out of work, temporarily or permanently, you can recover the income you lost and, where applicable, the long-term reduction in your ability to earn.
Pain and suffering. Virginia law recognizes compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological trauma caused by a dog attack.
Scarring and disfigurement. Bite wounds frequently cause permanent scarring, especially on the face, hands, and arms. Victims are entitled to compensation for the lasting impact on their appearance and self-confidence.
Special considerations for children. Children are disproportionately bitten in the face and neck. Surgeons often cannot perform scar revision procedures until a child reaches early adulthood, meaning a child may endure years of visible scarring during the most socially sensitive period of their development. Our firm has extensive experience representing injured children.
Why Choose the Serpe Firm?
Attorneys Richard J. Serpe and Ashley Strandjord have dedicated their legal careers to representing the seriously injured with an emphasis on dog bites and attacks.
We judiciously select each case we handle. The process allows us to provide each client with unmatched personal attention.
Our firm handles dog bite and animal attack cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe us nothing unless we recover money for you.
Virginia Dog Bite Settlements
Our firm has recovered substantial compensation for dog bite victims across Virginia, including:
- $425,000 — Facial bite to a child in Richmond
- $175,000 — Facial bite to an adult in Newport News
- $160,000 — Adult with leg injury in Portsmouth
- $149,000 — Pedestrian bitten in Virginia Beach
- $134,000 — Injured by a neighbor’s dog in Arlington
- $100,000 — FedEx driver bitten in Wythe
- $100,000 — USPS mail carrier injured in Norfolk
- $50,000 — Amazon driver attacked in Staunton
- $25,000 — Jogger attacked in Dinwiddie
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Contact Our Chesapeake Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog in Chesapeake or anywhere in Virginia, contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
While our main office is located in downtown Norfolk, distance should never be a barrier to justice. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you.
Send us on email, try our chat, or give us a call at 757-233-0009.