If you suffered injuries in a Harrisonburg, VA, dog bite incident, we may be able to hold the dog’s owner liable. The circumstances surrounding the bite and your injuries will determine how much compensation, if any, you can recover for your injuries, expenses, and losses.
You do not have to fight for justice on your own. A Harrisonburg personal injury lawyer from Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, is the resource you want to have on your side. Our team has the knowledge, experience, and skill necessary to handle your case and secure a fair payout. Contact us today for a FREE claim review.
Why Hire Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, as Your Harrisonburg Dog Bite Attorney?
Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, has the experience and resources to develop a compelling case and hold the dog’s owner or handler legally accountable for your injuries to the extent allowed by Virginia law. We will negotiate, mediate, or litigate your case to pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Founding Attorney Jim Parrish used to work for the insurance carriers. He represented these companies in negotiations and in court. He knows how they work and the tactics they use to reduce what they pay despite fair claims for compensation. Today, he uses that knowledge and experience to benefit injury victims and protect them from insurance companies.
Our team fights for justice in every case, leaving us with a long list of results that include several settlements and verdicts. One dog bite case recovered a $300,000 settlement for a client attacked by a leashed pit bull.
We work based on contingency. We do not charge upfront fees or costs for hiring our Harrisonburg dog bite Lawyer, and you only pay after we recover compensation for you. Learn more during your FREE claim review.
What Damages Are Recoverable With Help from Our Harrisonburg Dog Bite Lawyer?
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and lasting disfigurement. However, most require at least an assessment, cleaning, and monitoring. Some doctors might prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the risk of serious infection. Victims could miss work for appointments and while they recover. Those with serious injuries might require hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation and end up living with permanent impairments.
The expenses and costs a Harrisonburg, VA, dog bite victim incurs depend primarily on their injuries and the care necessary to help them heal. Some common examples of recoverable damages include:
- Medical care costs, including treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Future expenses and losses related to injuries
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Related expenses with documentation
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
What If My Loved One Endured Deadly Dog Bite Injuries in Harrisonburg?
If your spouse, child, or parent suffered fatal dog bite injuries, our Harrisonburg wrongful death lawyer is here to help. You do not have to fight this on your own. We know how the Virginia wrongful death laws work and will help your family get justice.
Contact us today for a FREE case review.
Harrisonburg Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Learn More About Harrisonburg Dog Bite Law From Our Personal Injury Lawyer
Liability in a dog bite case generally falls on the dog’s owner. However, Virginia does not have a statutory dog bite law. This means there is no law that allows victims to hold a dog’s owner strictly liable after a bite or another injury. Instead, Virginia has dangerous dog laws. These are sometimes known as “one-bite” rules since the dog and owner technically get one free bite without accountability.
Under Va. Code § 3.2-6540, a dog is considered dangerous if they have previously bitten, hurt, or attacked a person or pet unprovoked. When a dangerous dog bites someone, the owner is likely legally liable if:
- They knew about the dog’s history or
- They should have known about the dog’s history and
- The victim did not provoke the dog.
It is important to note that this is not the only time the owner might be liable for their dog’s behavior. The owner or handler might have acted negligently and caused the attack or allowed it to occur.
For example, imagine an owner letting a dog run at large when there is a leash law in effect. When an owner has a duty to keep their dog under their control—such as in a fence or on a leash—and they fail to do so, this could allow a bite injury to occur and the victim to suffer harm.
Our Harrisonburg dog bite lawyers know how to build a compelling negligence case and may gather evidence that includes:
- Your or your loved one’s medical records
- Eyewitness testimony
- The incident report
- Video of the incident
- Any record of previous incidents
- Shot records from the dog’s veterinarian
- Photos of injuries
- Expert witness input, often from medical experts
Once we have the evidence needed to hold a dog’s owner or another liable party responsible, we demand fair compensation from their insurer or prepare and file a lawsuit to pursue justice.
We often settle dog bite cases without needing to take the case to trial. We negotiate with the owner’s insurance company until it agrees to pay fairly based on the injuries, expenses, and losses that our client incurred. If we need to sue, however, Va. Code § 8.01-243 generally gives us two years to file a lawsuit.
However, many reasons exist to hire our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible after a dog bite or dog attack in Harrisonburg, VA. Let us go to work on your case quickly to preserve evidence and protect your right to fair compensation.
Discuss Your Harrisonburg, VA, Dog Bite Case With Our Team
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, provides a FREE claim review for victims and family members hurt by dog bites. If you or a loved one suffered injuries, our Harrisonburg dog bite lawyer is here to help.
Contact us by calling or filling out our contact form today.
Dog Bite eBook
Have questions about your dog bite injury? Download our free Comprehensive Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia eBook to learn more about the next steps, who to contact.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form