Injured by a dog in Fairfax?
A dog attack can turn an ordinary day into a medical and financial crisis and the costs that follow shouldn’t fall on you.
If you were injured because a dog owner was negligent, you have rights under Virginia law. Attorney Richard J. Serpe has spent nearly four decades standing up for injured victims.
Our team has recovered compensation for children playing in their yards, adults out for a morning walk, FedEx and Amazon drivers making deliveries, and USPS mail carriers just doing their jobs.
Send us an email or use our chat to set up a free consultation.
Injuries Seen in Dog Attack Cases
Our clients have come to us with:
- Deep puncture wounds and severe lacerations
- Permanent facial scarring and disfigurement
- Fractured bones and nerve damage
- Serious bacterial infections requiring hospitalization
- A series of painful rabies shots
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Why Clients Choose the Serpe Firm
Choosing the right legal team after a serious injury is an important decision. Here’s what sets us apart.
Attorney Richard J. Serpe brings close to 40 years of personal injury experience and has earned recognition from Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for more than 20 consecutive years.
Attorney Ashley E. Strandjord brings a meticulous, client-first approach to every case. She focuses heavily on personal injury matters and works closely with each client to build a strategy tailored to their specific circumstances and goals.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Attorneys with extensive experience in dog attack cases
- Personalized attention and responsive communication
- Thorough case preparation to maximize your recovery
- No legal fees unless we win your case
Steps to Take After a Dog Attack in Fairfax
1. See A Doctor: Your health should be your number one priority. Even wounds that look manageable can become infected. Your medical records will be important evidence for your case.
2. Contact Fairfax County Animal Control: An official report documents the incident, identifies the dog and owner, and may result in quarantine or other action. This report is also valuable evidence in your case.
- City of Fairfax, Virginia Animal Control
- 703-385-7924
3. Call a Dog Bite Lawyer: Before speaking with the dog owner or any insurance companies, talk to our legal team. We offer free consultations and there is no risk in discussing your situation.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Virginia law allows victims to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills: Emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, specialist care, and ongoing or future treatment
- Lost income: Wages lost during recovery, or long-term earning capacity if your injuries are permanent
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the emotional toll of the attack and recovery
- Scarring and disfigurement: Particularly significant when injuries affect the face, which is common in attacks involving children
- Wrongful death: When a dog attack results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a claim for their losses
Past Results for Virginia Dog Bite Victims
- $425,000: Child suffered severe facial injuries
- $175,000: Adult sustained facial bite wounds
- $160,000: Serious leg injury from dog attack
- $149,000: Pedestrian bitten while walking
- $134,000: Victim attacked by a neighbor’s dog
- $100,000: Delivery driver badly bitten on the job
- $100,000: Mail carrier required surgery after attack
Every case is unique. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a dog bite claim in Fairfax? Working with an experienced attorney almost always leads to a better outcome. Insurance companies know how to minimize claims, and unrepresented victims often accept far less than they deserve. We level the playing field.
What if the dog had no history of aggression? A clean record doesn’t protect an irresponsible owner. If the owner failed to restrain the dog, violated leash laws, or was otherwise negligent, they can still be held liable.
Can I file a claim if I was bitten at the owner’s home? Yes. Being on someone’s property doesn’t waive your right to compensation. Many dog bite victims are injured while visiting people they know.
What does it cost to hire your firm? Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is also completely free.
How long will my case take to resolve? Most cases settle within several months to two years, depending on the complexity of the injuries and whether the insurer negotiates in good faith. We keep clients informed throughout the entire process.
Fairfax Dog Bite Lawyers
Wherever the attack happened, in Fairfax or anywhere else in Virginia, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC are here to help.
Send us an email or use our chat to set up your free consultation.