If a dog bit you in Vienna, VA, you may qualify to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner or custodian (meaning the person watching, walking, or caring for the animal) for your medical bills, lost wages, “pain and suffering” and inconvenience, and other damages related to the dog bite.
Consult a dog bite lawyer in Vienna, VA for help with your case. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC at 571-229-1800 to get a free consultation about your case.
Eligibility to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit
If a dog bit you, you may have grounds to take legal action against the dog’s owner or custodian. But several factors may affect your eligibility to file a lawsuit:
- The dog’s history of biting or attacking people
- Location of the dog bite incident
- Whether the dog was on or off leash at the time of the bite
- Other circumstances surrounding the dog bite
Virginia’s “One-Bite Rule”
Virginia generally follows a “one-bite rule,” which means the dog owner is likely liable for a dog bite if they knew (or reasonably should have known) the dog was dangerous. In many cases, a previous bite, attack, or demonstration of aggressive behavior would be grounds to prove the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.
Dog Bite Cases Based on Negligence
Dog owners and custodians have a duty to keep the dog under control. If a dog owner or custodian was negligent and that negligence led to your injuries, you may have grounds to take legal action.
Negligence Per Se and Dog Bite Cases
If the dog owner or custodian violated a leash law or other state or local law, and that contributed to your dog bite injuries, you may be able to prove negligence simply by establishing that the dog owner or custodian violated the law. This is known as negligence per se.
How the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Can Help You
We Handle Insurance Claims
Our team will file your paperwork and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. We will respond to insurance company requests, negotiate for a settlement, and more.
We Get Evidence to Prove Liability
A dog bite lawyer in Vienna, VA can gather documents related to the dog bite or your injuries and will seek and retrieve other evidence as well. Some evidence we may use to prove your case includes:
- Medical records
- Incident reports
- Photographs of the scene, the dog, or your injuries
- Eyewitness statements
We Fight for Fair Compensation for Your Damages
You deserve compensation so you can pay for medical care, cover your lost wages, and for your “pain and suffering” and inconvenience. We will identify all your damages and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
Attorney Jim Parrish is a former insurance company lawyer. Jim knows the tactics that insurers use to devalue or deny claims. He uses the knowledge he gained from inside the insurance industry to anticipate and counter those tactics and fight for the compensation you need.
We Give You the Attention You Deserve
You deserve a dog bite attorney who will tend to your case and give it the attention to detail that it requires. An injury lawyer at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC investigates your case, deals with the insurance company on your behalf, and will keep you up to date on any new developments with your case.
Vienna Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Vienna, VA
Provide General Wound Care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing the wound with soap and water.
It further advises to apply an antibiotic cream, bandage the wound, and seek medical attention especially if you experience signs of infection. For deeper wounds, the CDC recommends applying pressure with a clean, dry cloth and to call 9-1-1 if the bleeding will not stop or you feel faint or weak.
Seek Medical Care
Call an ambulance or go to the emergency room if you need emergency care. You should set up a doctor appointment for evaluation even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. Dog bites carry a risk of infection, so talk to your doctor after any dog bite.
Report the Dog Bite to Animal Control
Call the Town of Vienna Animal Control office to report the dog bite. Animal Control also provides quarantine services for animals that have bitten somebody.
Compile Evidence of the Dog Bite
Save the contact information of any eyewitnesses who saw the dog bite happen. Gather any photographs or videos that exist of the dog, the scene of the incident, or your injuries. Also compile your medical records, keep records of the time you miss at work, and gather any bills or receipts related to the dog bite. You may also keep an injury journal where you document how the dog bite has affected your life.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Case
Discuss your case with a dog bite lawyer in Vienna, VA at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC. Review the circumstances of the dog bite and your eligibility to file a lawsuit based on the facts of your case. Get your free consultation by calling 571-229-1800.
Watch for Signs of Dog Bite Infections
Most know that dog bites carry the risk of rabies, but dog bites can also cause other serious infections, including:
- Capnocytophaga infection
- Tetanus infection
- Pasteurella infection
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection
Up to 18 percent of dog bites become infected, reports the CDC. Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, pain, warmth, or swelling around the wound. Fever may be another sign of infection. Also seek emergency care if the dog that bit you was acting strangely, recommends the CDC.
In addition to the injuries you suffer from a dog bite like wounds, tissue damage, and broken bones, you may recover damages related to a dog bite infection, too.
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You Have a Limited Time to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Virginia
Virginia law provides two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury, including injury from a dog bite or attack. Be sure to file your lawsuit before this deadline. If you wait too long, you may be unable to take legal action and recover damages.
Get started right away by calling the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC at 571-229-1800. We offer free consultations and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not collect an attorney’s fee unless you recover compensation.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form