If you, your child, or another family member suffered injuries from a dog bite in Winchester, VA, you could have a case against the animal’s owner or handler.
A Winchester personal injury lawyer from the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, can help you understand your options and next steps during a FREE claim review. Contact us today to get started.
What Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Winchester?
Every injury case is different. Dog bite victims suffer unique injuries that require personalized treatment and rehabilitation. At the same time, the victim will have their own missed income and other related expenses. For this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much your case might be worth.
When our attorneys represent you, we will identify, document, and value your recoverable damages. This gives us a framework to negotiate with the insurance carrier or liable party for a fair settlement.
Some commonly recoverable types of damages include:
- Medical care for bite wounds and infections, past and future
- Missed work and lost income
- Diminished earning ability for lasting impairments
- Personal property repair or replacement
- Related expenses
- “Pain and suffering” and inconvenience
Justice and Compensation for Fatal Dog Bite Injuries in Winchester, VA
Unfortunately, some dog attacks cause catastrophic injuries or deadly infections, and the victim does not survive. If this happened to your loved one, we extend our deepest condolences. A Winchester wrongful death lawyer from our team can fight for justice for your loved one while your family grieves. Contact us for your FREE case review to learn more.
Why Should I Choose a Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, Dog Bite Lawyer for My Winchester Case?
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, our attorneys have extensive knowledge of and experience with dog bite cases in Virginia. We understand the applicable laws, liability, and how to recover fair compensation for our clients.
Firm founder James R. “Jim” Parrish started his career representing the insurance companies in court. Now, he only represents injury victims fighting for fair compensation from those same insurance companies. His experience helps him protect injured clients and secure appropriate compensation for their full range of losses and expenses.
Our team has a long history of success getting results for our clients. In one recent case, we secured a $300,000 settlement for a retired United States Marine who suffered dog bite injuries after being attacked by an unprovoked pit bull walking on a leash in a public park.
We are a contingency fee firm. We do not ask our clients to pay upfront fees or costs. Instead, our fees come from the financial recovery we secure in your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Learn more during a FREE claim review.
Winchester Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Our Winchester Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Know How to Hold a Dog’s Owner Liable
Virginia makes it more difficult to hold a dog’s owner accountable for a bite than many other states. There is no statutory dog bite law. Instead, Virginia follows what is sometimes called the “one bite rule” because it seemingly allows all dogs to have one free bite before the owner is held accountable.
Virginia’s statutes related to dog bites define what happens after a dog threatens, bites, harms, or attacks a person or pet. Under Va, Code § 3.2-6540, only once this occurs is a dog considered “dangerous.” If it bites or attacks a second time and the owner knows about its history, they will be legally responsible for any harm.
However, this does not mean holding a dog’s owner or handler accountable for your injuries, expenses, and losses is impossible. Dog owners may also be liable based on negligence.
For example, imagine the owner was violating a local leash law by allowing their pet to run off-leash, and a bite occurs. This situation would likely meet all the elements of a negligence case, and we might be able to hold the owner accountable without needing to show the dog has a history of dangerous behavior.
Under these circumstances:
- The owner had a duty of care to follow the leash law and keep the dog tethered.
- They violated the leash law by allowing it to run unleashed.
- Their violation allowed the bite injury to occur.
- The victim suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm.
To build these cases, we must investigate what happened and gather evidence to support our allegations of negligence. This could include:
- Eyewitness statements
- Official reports filed by local agencies
- Your relevant medical records
- Video of the incident when available
- Any documentation showing the dog’s history
- The dog’s shot records
- Expert witness testimony from medical experts and others
- Documentation of damages
How Long do I Have to Act After a Dog Bite in Winchester?
Contact our team for help as soon as your injuries allow. This ensures we can begin protecting your rights and preserving time-sensitive evidence right away. Having a Winchester dog bite lawyer on your side also offers peace of mind so you can focus on healing instead of wondering how to pay for your treatment and other damages.
Building a dog bite case and recovering fair compensation is challenging on your own. Our team has the experience and resources most individuals lack, especially while recovering from serious injuries.
Under Va. Code § 8.01-243, we generally have up to two years to file paperwork to begin a personal injury lawsuit. However, waiting until this deadline approaches to act is not a good idea. Call us today, and we will start work on your case immediately.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
See How Our Winchester Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Today
At Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we offer a FREE claim review to dog bite victims and their families. You can talk to our Winchester dog bite lawyer about your injuries and legal options today. Contact us via telephone or using our online contact form to get started.
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, and what to do.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form