Norfolk Dog Bite Lawyer

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. 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 A 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 Norfolk 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 877-544-5323.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DOG ATTACK

Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to compensation after a dog attack in Norfolk or anywhere else in Virginia:

Seek 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.
Report the incident to authorities. When an animal attacks a person, that animal has become a potential threat to the health and safety of the public and must 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 dog bite case.
- Norfolk Animal Protection Unit (757-664-7387)
Consider contacting a dog bite 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, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, plastic surgery, permanent injuries and disabilities, and losses from a wrongful death.

COMPENSATION FOR NORFOLK DOG BITE VICTIMS

Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

Pain and suffering: This is the right to compensation for physical pain and suffering and mental anguish you have suffered and could possibly endure in the future.
Loss of Earnings: You are 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 might 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 is 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 Expenses: 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.

VIRGINIA DOG BITE SETTLEMENT EXAMPLES

$425,000 – Child suffered severe facial bites resulting in permanent scarring in Richmond, VA.
$175,000 – Adult bitten on the face while visiting a friend in Newport News, VA.
$160,000 – Adult sustained a leg injury during a dog attack in Portsmouth, VA.
$149,000 – Pedestrian bitten by a dog while walking in their Virginia Beach neighborhood.
$134,000 – Child attacked by a neighbor’s dog, sustaining serious facial injuries in Arlington, VA.
$100,000 – FedEx driver severely bitten on the arm by a customer’s dog in Wythe, VA.
$100,000 – USPS mail carrier required knee surgery after a dog attack 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.

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 minimum, consider contacting an attorney to discuss your options, as early as possible, to protect your right to compensation.

NORFOLK DOG BITE LAWYER RICHARD SERPE

Richard Serpe, an experienced Norfolk dog bite lawyer, is dedicated to representing individuals injured due to someone else’s negligence. With over 37 years of legal experience, he has focused much of his career on advocating for and protecting the rights of the injured.

Known for his relentless work ethic and tenacious approach, Richard Serpe has earned a reputation as a highly respected attorney. His proven track record includes securing favorable settlements and verdicts for countless clients.

If you’ve been injured in a Norfolk dog attack, contact attorney Richard Serpe for a free consultation to discuss your situation.