Fostoria Dog Bite Lawyer 

Dogs might be known as man’s best friend, but each year, more than 4.7 million people suffer from dog bites and attacks. With more cafes, bars, and restaurants allowing customers to bring their beloved pets in with them, that number only continues to increase.

Even the most lovable, well-behaved pooch can lash out at times, and when they do, the consequences can be serious. Dog bite victims can suffer both physical and emotional wounds. That psychological pain can last for years longer than it takes for bites to heal and scars to fade.

Many victims require serious medical attention and therapy to deal with the often devastating impact a brutal attack can have on their psyche. If you or a loved one has been injured by a violent pet, contact a Fostoria dog bite lawyer to set up a confidential consultation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you prepare your lawsuit.

Determining Dog Bite Liability

Even the most well-trained dog can act out violently, which is why the responsibility for a dog’s behavior lies with its owner. Dog owners owe it to their pets and to the general public to provide adequate training and humane care that will decrease the likelihood for aggression.

Certain factors increase a dog’s level of aggression, including the kind of shelter it is provided, how much food it receives, and the home environment in which the dog lives. Keeping an animal chained up too long or kept inside a kennel that is too small or dirty can raise the chances that the dog will lash out violently.

All of these factors can be included in a dog bite investigation. Mistreatment of a dog need not rise to the levels of abuse to do serious psychological harm to the pet.

Contributory Negligence

A victim’s own behaviors can impact whether or not they are eligible for compensation following a dog bite. In certain cases, victims who acted recklessly are barred from receiving damages from the owner of the dog.

The same goes for victims who acted negligently. Actions like trespassing on someone’s property or antagonizing the dog can contribute to the reasons for the attack and limit a person’s opportunity to seek damages. A Fostoria dog bite lawyer is well-versed in this principle, referred to as contributory negligence.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

In many cases, dog bite victims are entitled to compensation to help cover their medical bills and other damages. Fostoria dog bite lawyers have seen that the amount of compensation varies depending on the case, but generally, both economic and non-economic damages are considered.

Hospital bills, transportation to the hospital, future medical expenses for surgeries or physical therapy, and loss of income in the past and the future can all be recovered. Non-economic damages, like the pain from the injury, the mental anguish the person experienced, and loss of quality of life can also be compensated for in a settlement.

How an Attorney Can Help

After a dog bite, victims are often scared, hurting, and confused about their legal rights. That is where a lawyer comes in. A Fostoria dog bite lawyer will work tirelessly on behalf of individuals who have been injured by an aggressive dog.

If you have been injured, the lawyer will launch a thorough investigation into your attack and advocate for your legal rights. From collecting evidence to gathering eyewitness testimony, the lawyer will be by your side every step of the way.