The injuries you sustain from your dog bite accident in Dumfries, VA go beyond the bite wounds and scars. The trauma from the attack can also leave emotional scars. You deserve to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages that result from this accident. The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC’s dog bite lawyer in Dumfries, VA, can help you recover this compensation. Our founder previously worked as legal counsel for insurance companies, and he can now put the knowledge gained from that experience to use in negotiating a fair settlement in your case.
Call today for a free, no-obligation case review: 571-229-1800.
Types of Injuries That Result from Dog Bites
Dog bites can create nasty wounds that leave permanent disfigurement and physical scars. They also can introduce bacteria—more than 60 different types–from the dog’s mouth. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control, some of these bacteria can cause disease in the bite victim, including:
- Rabies: affects the brain and can be fatal
- Capnocytophaga bacteria: causes illness
- Pasteurella: painful, red infections; swollen glands and joints; difficulty moving
- MRSA(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): lung, skin, and urinary tract infections; can enter the lungs or bloodstream, resulting in life-threatening infections
- Tetanus: rigid paralysis
Determining Who is Liable for Your Dumfries, VA Dog Bite Accident Injuries
The injuries and illnesses resulting from a dog bite require that we identify the at-fault party and hold them liable—not only for your compensation but also for the safety of other potential victims of attack from this same dog.
A dog bite lawyer in Dumfries, VA will investigate to find who is at fault and apply the appropriate legal principles to establish that person’s liability to insurers, judges, and juries.
Typically, the list of potentially liable parties in a dog bite accident is rather short. We may find that the liable party is:
- The dog’s owner
- Another individual who was responsible for the dog at the time of the accident
- A service provider who was watching or caring for the dog at the time of the attack
Dumfries Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Proving Fault and Liability for the Dog Bite Attack
Virginia’s liability laws for dog bite cases are less than strict. Still, to fortify our case, we will have to obtain evidence proving that the dog demonstrated a history of aggressive behavior. Perhaps a veterinarian can provide medical records from the dog having bitten another pet or another individual.
Secondly, we will need to find evidence proving that the owner or party responsible for the dog did not take reasonable steps to protect you from the dog, despite their knowledge that the dog could pose a threat.
“Reasonable care” in this case could mean keeping the dog on a leash when out in public spaces and/or ensuring that the dog is confined to a yard or other space via a fence or other enclosure, rather than permitted to roam freely throughout a neighborhood.
Providing proof that the responsible party failed to take such reasonable steps will bolster our case with the required element of “negligence.”
Filing a Claim with the Insurance Company
Dog owners, kennels, and other dog-care service providers often carry homeowners’ or other insurance policies that cover dog bite claims, which can make things easier and less awkward if you are dealing with a bite from a friend’s dog.
Whatever the case, at some point, after we have investigated your dog bite accident, gathered the evidence, and identified the liable party, our legal team will compose a demand letter outlining all the damages you sustained, along with their corresponding values.
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The Advantage of Our Experience with the Insurance Industry
The insurance adjuster could approve the claim and cut you a check, but this is not a likely outcome. More likely, they will respond with a counter-offer—typically a low-ball offer that is intended to kick off the negotiations process.
Our legal team will enter into this process with the unique advantage of our founder’s having information from inside the insurance industry, due to his experience as an attorney for these companies. We will fight aggressively to get you a strong settlement.
If the insurance carrier does not agree to a settlement we consider to be fair, we can and will file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party in a civil court. Our team will represent your case to the judge and jury and argue for a verdict that gets you the compensation you deserve.
Types of Damages You Might Recover in Your Dog Bite Claim or Lawsuit
The types and amounts of damages you recover in your dog bite claim or lawsuit depends on the extent of your injuries and the impact they have on you economically and emotionally. If you find yourself unable to return to work because of your injuries, the income and benefits you lose as a result will factor into your settlement or verdict.
Generally, the following types of damages accompany a dog bite claim:
- Medical care and treatment (past, present, and ongoing)
- Hospitalization costs
- Physical therapy
- Assistive devices
- Lost wages (past, present, and future)
- Lost benefits (past, present, and future)
- Replacement services
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
Virginia’s Statute of Limitations Means Your Time for Filing a Lawsuit is Limited
Keep in mind that if your dog bite case moves on to a personal injury lawsuit, you have only two years from the date of the attack to file your legal action. Virginia’s statute of limitations mandates this timeframe, and by missing the deadline, you could put your case at risk.
For this reason, you should consider starting your efforts for damage recovery early. A prompt start also gives your attorney more time to collect evidence and build your case.
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC’s Dog Bite Lawyers in Dumfries, VA
The lawyers at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC want to help you get the compensation and emotional relief you deserve. Stop worrying about how you are going to pay for the damages from this traumatic accident. Let a dog bite lawyer in Dumfries, VA handle your case, so you can focus on getting better.
Call our office today at 571-229-1800 for a free consultation, with no obligation.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form