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DOG & OTHER ANIMAL BITES

Personal injury or property damage caused by biting dogs and other domesticated animals may entitle the victim to legal claims of owner negligence and liability. The experienced personal injury lawyers at O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for dog and animal bite victims. We are highly qualified to advise you of your rights and help you pursue damages.

If you have been injured by a dog or other domesticated animal, immediately contact our personal injury lawyers for a free evaluation of your potential case.

A person’s failure to control an animal through normal care is called negligence. Someone who cares for and shelters an animal, while not owning it, may share liability with the owner for the animal’s actions.

Millions of people are victims of dog and other animal bites every year. Over fifteen percent of the nearly five million dog bites per year require medical attention. Children are the most common victims of dog bites.

Ohio Law

Under Ohio law, a dog’s owner is liable for damage caused by his or her animal’s behavior on public or (in many cases) private property. Owners are held responsible regardless of efforts to control the dog, its history of past attacks or the owner’s stated ignorance of the animal’s aggressive nature.

An animal known to be dangerous ensures the owner's liability. Negligence or failure to restrain an animal doesn’t have to be established if the victim can prove that the owner knows the animal is a threat to the safety of others. This knowledge may be through the owner’s employees or family members as well.

Animals other than Dogs

• Horses: When used for hire, a stable keeper must match a horse’s temperament and condition to each rider’s ability. Should the horse cause injury to a rider, stable keepers can be held liable.

• Cattle: Owners of cattle are liable for property damage caused by their livestock. Also, property owners are required to erect fences to keep free-roaming domestic animals out, preventing crop and other property damage.

Take these precautions when a dog or other animal injures you:

1. Seek medical attention right away.
2. File a police report and keep a copy of the Police Accident Report for your records.
3. Write down the name and phone number of the animal’s owner.
4. Write down the names of any witnesses.
5. Take photos if possible of the attacking animal and scene of the accident.
6. Have someone photograph your injuries.
7. Avoid contact and communication with the owner or the owner’s insurance representative; accepting any money for damages may affect your right to additional compensation.
8. Save evidence such as damaged clothing or personal property.
9. Photograph any items damaged in the attack.
10. Immediately contact a personal injury lawyer from O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC to protect your rights, advise you, and evaluate your animal attack case.

The lawyers of O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC are well versed and successful in obtaining compensation for dog and animal bite victims. Contact us by calling 513-241-7111 or click here to submit your potential case. Our staff of professionals are on duty seven days a week, and you can expect a response from a personal injury attorney within 24 hours.