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Dog Bite Lawyers Columbus, Ohio

Dog Bite Attorneys near Columbus, Ohio

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites. Our Columbus dog bite attorneys will guide you through this difficult process.

Who let the dogs out?

Do you or your child need a dog bite attorney in Ohio? Are you or your child entirely innocent in your dog bite situation?

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that does not mean that owners are always the best at taking care of their dogs, including making sure that their dogs do not injure you or your loved ones.

The CDC estimates that about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S.  Sadly, the victims of dog bites are usually our children.  Among children, the rate of dog-bite–related injuries are highest for those 5 to 9 years old.

With Franklin County, Ohio registering 522 cases of dangerous, or vicious dogs and over 30 dog bite attacks in 2018, finding an expert in Ohio dog bite law is a must when you or a loved one become a dog bite victim.

If the neighborhood dog got out and attacked you, or a loved one, do you know your rights and protections?  Your injuries from a dog can be more than a dog bite as Ohio law provides for your recovery even if the dog just jumped on you or knocked you down.  See, Hicks v. Allen, 2007 Ohio 693.  Whether there are minor or severe damages to you, your loved one, or even your property, Ohio dog bite law and the dog bite lawyers in Columbus at SELPH LAW protect you.

Ohio Dog bite law R.C. §955.28(B) helps you.

When someone’s negligence leaves you broke or injured, legal recourse is available to secure you and your loved one both justice and compensation.  Turn to your dog bite attorney at SELPH LAW for all your serious dog bite cases.

Ohio dog bite law under R.C. §955.28(B) provides that an owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog, unless those damages were caused to the person or property of an individual who, at the time was:

1) committing or attempting to commit criminal trespass;

2) committing another criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor on the property of the owner; or

3) committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor against any person, or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner’s property.

That said if you were engaging in door-to-door sales or other solicitations REGARDLESS of whether you were in compliance with any requirement to obtain a permit or license established by the HOA/City/County/State in which the property of the owner is located then you are protected by Ohio dog bite law, provided you were not committing a criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor or were not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Who can you sue?

The dog owner, anyone who helps keep the dog, and even the property owner where the dog is kept, like a landlord, may be strictly liable for your injury, death, or loss to person or property.

A landlord may be liable as a keeper or harborer of the dog if the landlord retained a degree of possession or control over the leased property and/or any common area.

Even a police officer can be liable for a police dog attack under R.C. §955.28(B), except that the K9 bite may be exempt from liability under R.C. §§2744.02, 2744.03.  See, Hicks v. Allen, 2007 Ohio 693.

Will insurance help?

“Most homeowners insurance policies provide a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability insurance, but higher amounts are available and, increasingly, it is recommended that homeowners consider purchasing at least $300,000 to $500,000 worth of liability coverage.” (Insurance Information Institute, 2020).

A landlord’s liability insurance policy may be worth $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 or more.  “Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability legal expenses, up to the liability limits (typically $100,000 to $300,000).

While homeowners’ insurance, renters, and umbrella policies may pay your dog bite claim, if the dog escaped from a vehicle or bit you from a car window, then your dog bite claim could be paid by an auto insurance policy.

A police dog attack is covered by the government’s insurance policy that may be worth $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 or more.

If your dog bite the claim exceeds the applicable insurance limits, the dog owner, keeper, and/or harborer are personally responsible for all damages above that insurance amount.

You are not alone.

Dog bite cases can be complex, especially if a police dog attacks you or your loved one.  Don’t settle for less than your injuries and for less than you deserve.

SELPH LAW can guide you in the right direction through the Ohio dog bite law and towards the meaningful compensation you and your loved one deserve.

If this is anything close to your situation, you could use the expertise of a Columbus dog bite attorney, which is why SELPH LAW is here to provide a reliable dog bite attorney near Dublin Ohio, and Columbus.

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