Being attacked by someone else’s dog can result in serious physical injuries and significant financial consequences that shouldn’t be your responsibility.
In addition to recovering from your injuries, you’re now facing the added pressure of wondering how to get the negligent dog owner to cover your bills.
For nearly 40 years, Richard J. Serpe has fought for dog bite victims throughout Virginia. Whether the attack happened in a Virginia Beach neighborhood, along the Boardwalk, at a friend’s house, or anywhere else in the area, our legal team can fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
Call/text 757-233-0009, use our chat, or email us to set up a free consultation.
Dog Bite Injuries We Handle in Virginia Beach
Dog attacks can cause serious, life-altering injuries. We represent victims who have suffered:
- Deep lacerations and puncture wounds
- Facial injuries, disfigurement, and permanent scarring
- Broken bones and nerve damage
- Infections, including serious complications from bacteria
- Painful rabies shot series
- Tragic wrongful death of a family member
We help children, adults, delivery drivers, mail carriers, postal workers, and anyone else hurt by someone else’s dog in Virginia Beach.
Why Choose the Serpe Firm as Your Virginia Beach Dog Bite Lawyers
When you’ve been seriously injured, choosing the right attorney can make a big difference in your financial recovery. Our personal injury law firm has spent nearly four decades representing injured victims across Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach.
At the center of our firm is attorney Richard J. Serpe, a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer with nearly 40 years of experience representing victims of serious injuries throughout Virginia.
Mr. Serpe has earned repeated recognition from Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers and is known for his meticulous case preparation and tenacious approach when insurance companies refuse to do the right thing.
Working alongside him is Ashley E. Strandjord, a respected attorney known for her thorough case development, courtroom readiness, and compassionate client communication.
Ashley focuses extensively on personal injury cases, ensuring your legal strategy is carefully tailored to your situation.
Our legal team carefully selects the cases we accept. This allows us to dedicate substantial time, resources, and personal attention to our clients.
At the Serpe Firm, you’ll receive:
- Attorneys who know Virginia’s dog bite laws
- Personalized attention and responsive communication
- Thorough case preparation to maximize your recovery
- No legal fees unless we win your case
What to Do After a Dog Attack in Virginia Beach
Taking certain steps after a dog attack helps to protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what we suggest.
1. See a doctor. Even wounds that look minor can become seriously infected. Documentation from a medical professional is crucial evidence of your injuries.
2. Report the attack. Contact Virginia Beach Animal Control at 757-385-5000. Animal control will investigate, quarantine the dog if needed, and create an official report will which become important evidence.
3. Contact our dog bite attorneys. Before speaking with the dog owner or any insurance company, contact our legal team for a free consultation. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize what they pay you.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Attack?
In Virginia, dog owners and anyone responsible for controlling a dog can be held financially liable when their animal injures someone.
This is true whether the attack happened on the Oceanfront, in a residential neighborhood like Kempsville or Great Neck, or anywhere else in Virginia Beach.
A dog owner may be liable when they:
- Failed to keep their dog properly restrained or enclosed
- Allowed their dog to roam off-leash where it’s not permitted
- Knew, or should have known, that their dog had dangerous tendencies and failed to take precautions
- Violated a local Virginia Beach or Virginia animal laws
You don’t need to prove that the dog attacked someone before. Virginia law holds owners accountable when their carelessness causes you to be injured.
What Is My Virginia Beach Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every case is different, but compensation in a Virginia dog bite claim can include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, follow-up treatment, and future medical costs
- Lost wages: Income you missed while recovering or if your injuries affect your ability to continue working (loss of earning capacity).
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement: Especially significant for facial injuries that are unfortunate, very common when a child is attacked or bitten
- Wrongful death: If a family member was killed in a dog attack, surviving family members may have a claim
- $425,000 – Child suffered severe facial bites
- $175,000 – Adult bitten on the face
- $160,000 – Adult sustained serious leg injury
- $149,000 – Pedestrian severely bitten
- $134,000 – Child attacked by a neighbor’s dog
- $100,000 – Delivery driver severely bitten
- $100,000 – Mail carrier who required surgery
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Bites in Virginia Beach
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite claim in Virginia Beach? You are not required to hire a lawyer, but victims who work with an experienced attorney typically recover significantly more than those who handle claims on their own.
What if the dog has never bitten anyone before? The dog’s history is not the only factor. If the owner was careless, failing to restrain the animal, violating leash laws, or ignoring warning signs, they can still be held responsible.
How much does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer? We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we settle or win your case.
How long does a dog bite case take? Most cases settle within several months to a couple of years. It highly depends on the severity of the injuries and whether the case goes to trial.
Contact Our Virginia Beach Dog Bite Lawyers
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, with dense residential neighborhoods, busy parks, and public beaches, that bring people and dogs into close proximity.
Dog attacks happen in places like Kempsville, Great Neck, Sandbridge, and along the Oceanfront, and they happen to all kinds of people including children playing outside, joggers on the sidewalk, delivery drivers making their rounds, and neighbors out for an evening walk.
Attorneys Richard Serpe and Ashley Strandjord have built their reputation on fighting hard for injured Virginians and refusing to let insurance companies take advantage of the innocent.
Call/text 757-233-0009, use our chat, or email us day or night.