An experienced Toledo dog bite attorney can help if a dog attacks you while you are on private or public property. You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner.
The Charles Boyk Law Firm has won large settlements for dog bite victims in Toledo for over 40 years. Contact our dog bite attorneys for your free, no obligation case review and to start your case.
Dog Bite & Attack Statistics
In the next year, there is a 1 in 50 chance that you might be attacked by a dog. If an attack occurs, there’s a 1 in 6 chance you’ll need hospital care, potentially including surgery and multiple visits. If you’re under 14, your risk of being bitten is significantly higher, as is the likelihood of sustaining serious injuries to the face, hands, arms, and legs, which can result in scarring. Many people struggle to regain their normal lives after a severe dog bite injury. Our mission is to create personalized recovery plans to help our clients heal faster, manage their medical bills, and return to their desired quality of life.
There are around 52 million dogs in the United States, and a surprising number of them pose serious risks to both adults and children. Over the past decade, several studies indicate a 30 percent increase in reported dog bites, despite only a slight rise in the dog population. Estimates suggest that around 13,000 dog bites happen daily, resulting in over $100 million in annual medical expenses.
Don’t be just a dog bite statistic. Our Toledo dog bite lawyers will pursue all legal avenues for you to get you the maximum settlement. A dog bite settlements will get you fair compensation and peace of mind.
Bitten in the Face by a Dog?
In Toledo, dog bite victims are entitled to compensation for their injuries in most circumstances. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of plastic surgery for scar revision or reduction. Claims are typically made against the dog’s owner or keeper.
Victims are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and psychological injuries resulting from the attack. Many victims experience ongoing emotional distress, including nightmares and a fear of unfamiliar dogs, which can significantly impact their mental well-being and daily life.
Every year, medical costs and hospital visits for dog bite-related injuries cost victims over $100 million. This is before any future treatment costs like physical therapy or psychiatry. You need a Toledo dog bite lawyer to help you cover these ever-growing costs.
Common Reasons for Dog Bites
Part of the reason for the recent surge in dog attacks is no doubt because “attack” dogs – Pit Bulls, Canary Dogs, Rottweilers, Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, and Alaskan Malamutes – have become a popular choice of pets for many Americans. When properly trained and raised in homes prepared for their needs, these dogs can be as friendly and obedient as any other breed of dogs. The problem is that many owners get these types of dogs for all the wrong reasons.
Like parents who abuse or neglect their children, dog owners who aren’t prepared for the responsibilities of the role often end up with dogs that will routinely demonstrate violent, unpredictable, and aggressive behavior. A pit bull can have the biting power of 2600 lbs. per square inch (psi), easily enough strength to maim or kill a grown man. While negligent dog owners happily pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to own a pure breed Pit Bull or Huskie, they are less willing to make the investment in time that it takes to become caring and responsible owners of these potentially dangerous breeds.
A Toledo dog attack attorney at our top-rated law firm will help you hold the negligent pet owners accountable for injuries and harm you suffered. You are entitled to money compensation!
Pit Bull Fatalities
Pit bulls are often labeled one of the most dangerous dog breeds, though this reputation is only somewhat justified. However, as a popular breed, instances of pit bull bites are common. Given their considerable power, pit bull attacks can lead to severe injuries, including permanent scarring and disfigurement.
In Ohio, pit bull attacks can kill. Since tracking these attacks began, over 4% of all pit bull attack fatalities in the United States happened in Ohio.1 Between 2021 and 2023 there were four fatal dog attacks in Lucas County. All attacks involved pit bulls, and all but one of those dogs were family dogs. All victims were adults.2 It’s important to recognize that these attacks are often due to the owner’s neglect or harmful training practices rather than the breed’s nature. If you’ve been injured by a pit bull, it’s crucial to consult with a knowledgeable Toledo dog bite attorney. They can help establish the connection between the owner’s negligent or abusive behavior and the attack.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
The most common injuries to see are:
Scratches, punctures, and lacerations
Disfigurement
Scarring
Broken bones
Nerve damage
Death
Not all wounds are visible to the naked eye, either. Post-traumatic stress or other psychological injuries contribute to the pain and suffering of a dog bite victim. A Toledo dog bite lawyer can help victims recover damages and navigate the legal claims process. An experienced personal injury attorney will also advocate for the injured party in court, ensuring that all relevant evidence is thoroughly considered.
What to Do After a Toledo Dog Bite
Cover the injury and stop the bleeding.
Carefully wash the wound.
Take photographs as soon as possible.
Use a sterile bandage on the injury, if possible.
Seek immediate medical care at a hospital or clinic.
Notify the local police department to file a report.
Contact Boyk Law for a free review of your case.
When negligent dog ownership results in injury to an innocent person, the victim has the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering with the help of a Toledo dog bite attorney. Dog bite victims may face various types of damages and losses, including medical expenses, emotional trauma, and potential loss of future income due to disfigurement.
Children, who are the most frequently attacked by dogs, can suffer emotional and psychological scars that last a lifetime. With a skilled attorney, victims can pursue damages that reflect the full extent of their injuries and losses.
What are my legal rights if I was bitten by a relative’s dog?
You may wonder if you have the legal right to sue. Often, the suit is against the homeowner’s insurance company, and not against the relatives themselves. We work with you to design the way you want to pursue justice. In cases where we isolate the insurer, the dog owner will not have to pay you out of their own pocket. Since 2021, nearly all pit bull fatalities in Lucas County happened at the owner’s home.
When you report a dog bite against a relative, the local police department (often animal controllers) will conduct an investigation. They will want to ascertain whether or not the dog has bitten before, and they will want to ensure that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. The dog will likely be quarantined for a specified period. A file will be opened for the bite, and as a full-service Toledo dog bite lawyer, we get that report on your behalf.
Postal Carriers Can File a Dog Bite Claim
Since COVID, Toledo dog attacks against delivery drivers (FedEx, UPS, Amazon, Grubhub, Doordash) have increased substantially. The U.S. Postal Service previously ranked Ohio dogs as the fourth most likely to attack. In 2012, Ohio had two cities in the top 10 for dog bites against postal workers. When these attacks happen, delivery drivers have a few options. Sometimes they can file workers’ compensation claims. These can cover a portion of lost wages and medical treatment for injuries they sustained while on the job.
If your Toledo dog bite lawyer can prove negligence, the pet owner could be responsible for repaying those benefits. Additionally, the negligent owner could be responsible for pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, and more. We can help delivery drivers navigate both types of claims depending on the situation.
Can I Sue for a Dog Bite?
Yes. If you suffered an injury from a dog bite in Toledo, we will help make you whole. As long as you were lawfully on the property, it might not matter if it is public or private property. Salespeople, contractors, maintenance professionals, delivery drivers, and postal carriers have claims when operating lawfully on private property. These claims are typically covered by homeowners’ insurance policies where the owner is deemed to be negligent.
You must prove that the owner was negligent. There must be damages; you need to prove that you have injuries. If you follow our steps to document the incident and take photos and take good care of the wound, then your odds of mounting a successful case go up substantially. You must establish the homeowner owing a duty of care, then we can help you show how the owner breached that duty.
Dog owners need to keep their dogs on leashes when walking them in public. They owe a duty to restrain the dog when the dog is at home and guests are present. If you can show damages, that the owner owed a duty of care, and that that care was breached, then we can help prove your case.
The statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit in Ohio is six years. While the law does limit the amount of time you have to file a claim to those six years, if you are under 18 years of age, you have six years from your 18th birthday to file your claim.
How Much Can I Expect in Settlement?
All cases are unique and dependent on factors including, but not limited to, victim’s age and sex. The location and severity of the dog bite. The magnitude of any nerve damage and subsequent treatment plays a role as well. Permanent scarring and disfigurement can cause trauma beyond their physical characteristics, and there is compensation for those damages as well as for medical expenses and lost wages.
When insurance coverage is applicable, the amount of coverage by the negligent party plays a major role in how much the settlement could be.
If you’re injured by a dog in Ohio, you may be able to seek compensation directly from the dog owner’s insurance. Homeowner’s insurance often covers dog bites, and in fact, dog bites account for over a third of homeowner’s insurance claims in the US, with the average claim exceeding $30,000. It’s crucial to consult an Ohio dog bite lawyer before accepting any settlement from the insurance company, as their goal is to minimize payouts. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot request additional compensation if the initial amount is insufficient.
If the dog owner lacks insurance or you cannot obtain compensation through their insurance, you will need to file a lawsuit in court. While having an attorney is advisable for negotiating insurance settlements, it is essential to have legal representation for a lawsuit.
Your attorney can help determine whether to pursue your claim under common law, the Ohio dog bite statute, or both, and will assist in building the strongest possible case to maximize your compensation.
Additionally, your dog bite attorney can guide you on whom to file the suit against—the owner, a harborer, or a keeper. The success of your case may hinge on accurately identifying the party legally responsible for your injuries.
Recently, a client was injured at a local pet store who was hosting an event for an animal rescue. The animal was not properly secured and bit a child inside the store. While the dog attack happened at the pet store, it was owned and harbored by the animal rescue. Both parties are expected to share liability for the damages.
If you have circumstances that do not allow you to bring a claim under Ohio’s dog bite statutes, you may be able to use a common law theory which supposes the owner was exhibiting negligent behavior. Ohio dog owners are typically protected from common law claims on account of the One-Bite Rule. If this is the first time the dog has bitten or attacked someone, you likely will not be able to rely on that theory.
Examples of Our Toledo Dog Bite Settlements:
$300,000 when a two-year-old is attacked by her aunt’s dog.
$200,000 after an unleashed dog attacks woman and her service dog.
$235,000 for a severed Achille’s tendon when neighbor’s dog slips its leash.
$180,000 because woman falls while being chased by loose dogs.
$150,000 when our client suffers lasting trauma after a dog attacks her and her dog.
$135,000 when neighbor’s dog escapes and causes irreparable facial scarring.
Is a Dog Bite a Felony?
Owners who have a history of failing to restrain their dogs will be charged with a misdemeanor if their dog bites someone. However, if you fail to register and restrain your dog and it kills someone, you are guilty of a fourth-degree felony and the court could order that the dog be put down. Other serious injuries resulting from a dog bite injury, in other cases, may result in a court order to euthanize the dog.
No Fee Until You Get Your Settlement
Our guarantee to our clients is that we do not take a fee unless we get you a settlement. We go further, our fee will never be greater than what goes into your pocket. And we go even further! As a full-service law firm, we guide you through the process of recovery: from treatment to payment of medical bills, and finally to settlement. We handle it all so you don’t have to.
Contact The Best Toledo Dog Bite Attorney
If you have been attacked by a dog and have a mountain of ominous medical expenses, you need someone who fights for your best interests. Consultation with us is always free, and we will look at your case from every possible angle to see what the best way is to win your case. We only get paid after you have been made whole, and we have built a 40-year career on our values.
Please call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have live people on the phone ready to help you navigate this difficult moment. You cannot find a better dog bite attorney in Toledo than the lawyers at Charles E. Boyk Law LLC.
I was very please with Mr. Boyks work. His staff was incredible as well.
Kim G
He was really helpful and friendly. The experience was grade A. I will refer him to my friends and family.
Lege's L
Mr. Boyk was very thorough. He did an amazing job and his staff was so friendly! Highly recommend!!
Lynne R
My experience with Boyk law couldn’t have been any better. They took care of me and handled everything. Communication was great they were anlways clear and concise. They are good people and I highly recommend them!
