Dog attacks can be a devastating experience, especially to young children. Victims typically experience physical injury, permanent scarring, and occasionally a wrongful death.
Our Virginia and Petersburg dog bite lawyers have successfully recovered compensation for victims of personal injuries for over 34 years. If you were wrongfully attacked by someone else’s dog, consider contacting an experienced dog bite lawyer to discuss your options. We have represented children, postal workers, delivery drivers, and many other innocent victims.
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 dog owner (or caretaker) negligence?
- Did the attack occur in Virginia?
If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, you may have a Virginia personal injury case. Consider consulting with a attorney experienced with dog bite and attack cases to determine your legal options. We offer risk-free consultations. Call or text anytime at 757-233-0009.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE DOG ATTACK
- Seek medical attention. Even the smallest of wounds has the potential for infection, so it may be a good idea to have your injuries treated. Further, if the dog has not been vaccinated against rabies, you may need to go through a series of painful rabies shots.
- Report the incident. You are required, by law, to report the incident to an Animal Control Officer. It is a matter of public health. Also, an animal that has bitten someone must be quarantined for a ten-day period.
- Petersburg Animal Control 804-732-4222
- 1600 Johnson Rd. Petersburg, VA 23805
- Take photos. If you decide to file a personal injury dog bite claim, photos of your injuries will become very important evidence. Be sure to take photos of your initial injury, as well as throughout the healing process.
- Contact a dog bite lawyer. Consider speaking with an experienced dog attack attorney to discuss your legal rights. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.
COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITE VICTIMS
Dog bite claims are almost always paid out by renters or homeowner’s insurance. The policy limits of the insurance policy can be a major factor in your settlement. Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may be entitled to the following compensation:
- Medical Expenses: After a dog attack, medical bills will inevitably start coming in. You may make a claim to be reimbursed for any medical expenses you’ve incurred related to the dog attack. If you’ve been permanently injured, you may be compensated for your long-term care.
- Pain and suffering: This is based on the severity and permanency of your injuries. How vicious was the attack? Do you have permanent scarring or disfigurement?
- Loss of Earnings: You may recover lost income caused by the attack. If your injuries have affected your ability to earn a living, you may be compensated for your reduced earning capacity.
- Disfigurement & Scarring: 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, may victims require plastic surgery.
- Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery.
- Wrongful Death: Although fatal dog attacks are rare, tragically they still occur. The Virginia wrongful death statute allows certain family members to file a claim for losses they have suffered due to the death of a loved one.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE SETTLEMENTS
- $100,000.00 – Mail carrier injured knee
- $100,000.00 – FedEx driver arm injuries
- $100,000.00 – Child attacked by neighbor’s dog
- $150,000.00 – Client sustained facial wounds
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers
Our Virginia dog bite lawyers have been helping people for over 34 years. If you’ve been attacked by someone else’s dog, contact us to discuss your legal options. We offer free consultations and you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we settle or win your case.