Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite attacks in Columbus are more common than you might think. They can occur in any situation featuring a dog, including play dates, visits, or even walking too near a stranger’s dog on the street. Dogs can feel agitated, threatened, or protective of their owner, leading to a painful dog bite for the victim. If someone’s dog has caused you or a loved one harm, their owner or handler should be held legally liable for their dog’s actions.

At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, our lawyers have been representing Columbus’s interests for years. We understand the financial hardship that a dog bite can lead to, in addition to the physical pain of a bite. That’s why we advocate for our clients’ behalf, and we don’t charge a dime unless we win their case.

Dog Bite Cases We Handle

The injury you sustain from a dog bite might vary from a small puncture mark to deep wounds, and even disfigurement. If you’ve been injured by a dog, you deserve representation in court that will help you recover the expenses related to your injuries.

All dog bites are classed by their severity into five classes. The following information on dog bite wounds has been provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information:

Stage I – A superficial injury that hasn’t cut into the muscles below the skin. Although a Stage I dog bite is the least severe type, it can still become infected.
Stage II – A deeper wound that has affected the muscle. These injuries are painful and require medical attention.
Stage III – Stage III wounds are severe, affecting the muscle and featuring either tissue loss or tissue necrosis. Stage IVA :: A severe wound affecting muscle, other tissue, and nerves. Nerve damage can cause permanent loss of function and feeling to the affected limbs.
Stage IVA – A severe wound that affects the muscle, tissue, and nerves. Nerve damage can cause permanent loss of feeling or function to the affected limbs.
Stage IVB – A severe wound affecting the muscle, soft tissue, nerves, and bone. If you have a dog bite that’s pierced to the bone, get immediate medical attention. This is an extremely serious injury.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, seek medical help as soon as possible. Even though the majority of bites are from domestic pets, meaning the risk of contracting rabies is low, it’s still not zero. Ask a doctor to confirm the state of your injury and begin treatment, then call Rinehardt Injury Attorneys.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 4.5 million dog bites happen each year in the United States. One in five of these—900,000—become infected.

Avoid becoming a statistic by learning the behaviors that a dog might exhibit before they bite:

A dog gets up and moves or looks away from you or a child
A dog looks at you pleadingly, and you can see the whites of their eyes
A dog yawns or licks their chops when you approach or try to interact
A dog suddenly begins scratching, biting, or licking themselves

While these signs can be subtle and easy to miss, be wary of them. You might also want to comfort a dog exhibiting these signs, but that’s often when dog bites occur.

Dog Bite FAQ

What do I need to do after a dog bite?

Receive Medical Attention – Dogs have sharp teeth that can break the skin, making your wound prone to infections. It’s important to get with a medical professional to get proper wound cleaning and care. Make sure to save all of the paperwork from this clinical visit as it can help to build your case.
Note the Details of the Attack – It is imperative that you note as much information about the incident and the dog owner as possible: Location, Name of the homeowner & contact Information, and the dog owner’s Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance (if applicable). All of these details will help support a legal dog bite claim.
Contact Local Authorities – When you file an official police report, you will have key documentation that contains details of the dog bite attack and is an important piece of evidence in court. Also, the victim must report the attack to the local health commissioner within 24 hours. If a veterinarian is treating a dog that bit someone, they must also report the attack.
Get Help From a Dog Bite Lawyer in Columbus – After treating your womb and taking the necessary steps to obtain key documentation, you’ll need a team of experienced dog bite attorneys to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Who is held responsible for a dog bite attack?

Any dog owner over 18 is held liable for dog bite injuries. There are some situations where someone other than the dog owner may also be held liable including: someone other than the owner caring for the dog when the bite incident occurred or dog owners under 18.

What’s the difference between “strict liability” and “negligence”?

Under strict liability, a dog owner is held responsible for any injury caused by their dog, even if every available precaution to avoid the attack was taken. Negligence is much harder to prove, but it can be done if the dog owner clearly acted with malice or gross negligence that led to the attack.

Will I be held liable if my dog bites a trespasser?

Generally, the dog owner will not be held liable if their dog bites a trespasser. If your dog attacked a suspected trespasser and you’re unsure of your liability, give our dog bite lawyers at Rinehardt a call.

Why Choose Rinehardt Injury Attorneys to Handle My Case?

Our experienced legal team has won millions of dollars for accident victims who have needed it the most. We approach each Columbus personal injury case with the compassion and unmatched attention to detail that it deserves. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, give us a call to hold the dog’s owner legally accountable. Don’t shrug off your injuries: call the Columbus dog bite attorneys at 614-686-2020.