Dog Bite Attorney in Newport News
Millions of people around the country own one or multiple dogs, and they are commonly referred to as “man’s best friend.” Many dogs make great pets and provide unconditional love to their owners. Unfortunately, dogs are also powerful animals that can attack and severely injure or kill someone, sometimes without warning or provocation.
Whether minor or life-threatening, injuries from dog bites can be painful and could cause complications that last a lifetime. The scars from an attack can be both physical and psychological.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in dog attacks include:
- Nerve damage
- Facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Infection
- Eye injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Rabies
- Post-traumatic stress and other emotional anguish
If someone else’s dog bit you, your child, or someone else close to you, don’t hesitate to discuss your rights and legal options with an experienced Newport News dog bite attorney.
Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. represent those who’ve been bitten by dogs in Newport News and across Virginia. Contact us by phone or online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case today.
What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog
If a dog bites you, seek medical treatment immediately. Before leaving the scene, be sure to get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner.
If a dog bit you and the owner is nowhere to be found, you can report the incident to the local animal control center. Animal control can try to track down the owner for you and get their information.
If possible, get verification that the dog’s rabies vaccinations are up to date.
It’s essential to visit a doctor right away to undergo a complete evaluation. You might need a rabies shot or other type of treatment to prevent an infection. If the doctor refers you to a specialist, you need to follow their instructions and continue treatment until they release you from their care. This is important for your safety, and the medical records can also provide crucial evidence for your case.
As soon as you are able, contact our dog bite lawyers to find out more about your best options for pursuing compensation for your losses.
Liability for Dog Bites in Newport News, Virginia
Under Virginia dog bite law, a dog owner is liable for injuries if they were aware – or should have been aware – that their dog had aggressive tendencies.
Local leash laws also require dog owners to restrain and control their pet at all times, whether or not they were aware that the dog could bite someone.
If the dog’s owner was negligent in any way and you were bitten as a result, you could be eligible to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
What Are My Rights If a Dog Has Bitten Me in Newport News?
If you’re wondering how much compensation you might be eligible to claim after a dog attack, you should discuss your situation with a knowledgeable attorney.
You could also bring legal action against those whose behavior contributed to the incident. If another person provoked the animal causing it to bite you, you could hold them accountable as well.
It might seem counterintuitive to punish a human for their dog’s actions, but the pet’s owner has a responsibility to prevent injury to those around them. If they fail to adequately restrain their dog or otherwise prevent it from attacking you, you shouldn’t have to pay out of your own pocket for the expenses you incur. Nor should you have to live with the trauma that a vicious attack can inflict, both in terms of pain and emotional anguish, without demanding compensation.
If you’ve been injured by an aggressive dog, don’t hesitate to talk to a lawyer right away. Your attorney will evaluate your case, advise you of all of your legal options, and will help make sure that you are made whole again after this terrible incident.
Homeowners’ Insurance and Dog Bite Claims
The dog that bit you might have been owned by a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. This is often the case. The fact that you are familiar with the other person involved can make it difficult to consider taking legal action against them.
Fortunately, you often don’t have to “sue” the dog’s owner to seek the compensation you need to pay your bills and recover from your injuries.
Instead, you could file a claim with against the dog’s owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy. Homeowners’ insurance generally provides liability coverage for dog bites.
In a dog bite case, the compensation you receive from their insurance could reimburse you for any treatment you needed or time you had to take off work, as well as pain and suffering. Your dog bite settlement could potentially cover all the damages you incurred as a result of the incident.
Damages are expenses and losses you suffered due to the attack. You could be owed compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Transportation costs for treatment
- Pain, suffering, and post-traumatic stress
Because you’re filing a claim against their insurance policy (and not the person directly), you can rest easier knowing that they won’t be forced to pay out of pocket for the compensation you’re requesting. You can get the money you need to get the treatment your injuries require, and you won’t have to struggle financially in the wake of the attack.
Contact Our Newport News Dog Bite Lawyers
If someone else’s dog bit you in Newport News, contact Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. right away. We understand how traumatic these incidents and the resulting injuries can be, and we’ll be ready to help you seek the compensation you are owed.
Call us or reach out online to schedule your free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced dog bite lawyers today.