Dog Bite Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Dogs are important members of many families. A dog bite injury, however, can be serious when a dog is not properly controlled and supervised.

Our Columbus, Ohio, personal injury law firm has handled many cases for people who have been bitten or otherwise injured by dogs and other animals, and we have experience with the duties Ohio law places on dog owners to protect others from injury.

Have you or a loved one been bitten or attacked by a dog? You could be entitled to financial compensation to cover damages and medical expenses. Clark Perdue & List are experienced personal injury lawyers. In this guide, we will cover dog bite law and common injuries, but you should always contact an attorney if you believe you may have a claim. Our firm has years of experience with dog bites in Columbus, OH and can quickly help you determine if you have a claim.

Statistics Back It Up: Animal Attacks Are A Real Problem

Each year, over 4 million dog bites are reported in the United States. Overall, dog bites are the fifth most common reason for emergency room treatment. For children, dog bites are the second most common reason for seeking emergency medical attention, with children between 5 and 9 years of age the most common victims. Most injuries to children under 4 years of age were to the head or neck.

Attacks by dogs and other pets can result in devastating physical and emotional injuries: permanent scarring, reconstructive surgery, infection, post-traumatic stress disorder and sometimes even death.

Dogs bite for many reasons and, although any breed of dog may bite, a 2009 report by DogsBite.org reveals that pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 80 percent of the injury-producing attacks and 69 percent of fatalities. While only 18 percent of the attack/bites studied occurred away from the dog owner’s property, 81 percent of these off-property attacks were committed by pit bull breeds. Of 88 dog attack fatalities between January 2006 and December 2008 reported by DogsBite.org, 59 percent were perpetrated by pit bull breed dogs. This equates to one American being killed by a pit bull breed every 21 days during that period. Many cities have adopted breed-specific pit bull/fighting breed laws.

Common Damages and Injuries From Dog Bites

Dog attacks of any kind are traumatic events and should be taken seriously. According to the CDC 1 in 5 dog bites need medical attention.  A dog bite can cause significant injury and have long-lasting effects on the injured person. Dog attacks can cause pain, nerve damage, infection, illnesses, and even death. The pressure exerted from the dog’s jaws can severely damage the tissues under the skin including muscles, blood vessels, and bones. 

Dog bite wounds also carry a high risk of infection, according to the CDC, up to 18% of dog bites become infected with bacteria. Injuries and diseases that can be caused by dog bites can include the following:

Abrasions, Lacerations, and Puncture Wounds. These types of injuries will be visible and can range in severity. Open wounds such as these leave the victim vulnerable to infection. 

Avulsion Injuries. Avulsion injuries are very serious and may involve partial to complete separation from the body. Commonly affected areas include limbs, fingers, or toes. 

Crushing Injuries, Broken and Fractured Bones. Dogs tend to clench their jaws when biting, which can cause extensive damage to tissue, broken bones, and even cause internal bleeding. 

Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament Damage. Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common injuries from dog attacks. These injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery.

Nerve Damage. There are 3 common types of nerve damage caused by dog bites, Neurapraxia, axonotmesis, and neurotmesis. Nerve damage can require months and even surgery to recover from.

Facial Wounds. According to NCBI, facial bite injuries are especially dangerous because of their propensity to get infected. Children can be especially susceptible to facial wounds because their height often puts them right at the same height as many dogs. 

Scarring. Scars from dog attacks can be very damaging and even require cosmetic surgery. Victims are often left feeling self-conscious about their appearance.

Rabies. Rabies is a fatal infection and a public health concern when a dog bite occurs. Dogs that have attacked a person should be evaluated for possible rabies infection, which can cause an animal to act aggressively.

Capnocytophaga Bacteria.  Capnocytophaga bacteria are common bacteria that live in the mouths of dogs. When a dog bites, the bacteria can be transferred to humans and cause illnesses and even sepsis.  It is particularly dangerous to those with weakened immune systems. 

Pasteurella Multocida Infection. Pasteurella multocida is bacteria that can live in the upper respiratory tracts of animals. This can cause an infection in the animal attack.  

MRSA. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is difficult to treat because it is resistant to many antibiotics. 

Tetanus. Tetanus is another type of infection that can occur after a dog bite if you are not up to date on your vaccination.

What Do You Do After You’ve Been Attacked by A Dog?

1. Seek medical attention 

Wounds from dog bites should be evaluated and treated by a professional.  Infants and children should always be seen by a medical professional after a dog bite, even if there appear to be no apparent wounds. 

2. Report for the dog bite

Ohio Administrative Code 3701-3-28 requires animal bite incidents be reported to the jurisdiction where the attack occurred. You can find the appropriate local jurisdiction here: https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/lhdinformationsystem/Directory/GetMyLHD

3. Be prepared to make the report.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, when making the report you will want to know the following:

• Description of the dog
• Owner of the dog
• Person exposed
• Location where it happened
• Rabies vaccination status (if known)
• How the it occurred

Ohio Dog Bite Law

According to Section 955.28 of the Ohio Revised Code, “the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog.” Exemptions are made if the person bit was committing a crime against a person, tormenting or abusing the dog, or trespassing on the owner’s property. This means that if you’ve been atatcked by a dog, the owner or person responsible for the dog at the time of the incident is liable for all damages and injuries caused to you. If the dog was in the care of a person other than the owner at the time of the bite, such as a boarding facility, they could also be held responsible for injuries incurred. 

Under the One Bite Rule, if the dog is known to be aggressive or bitten in the past, owners may be responsible for punitive damages on top of standard compensation and receive punishment for not being a responsible dog owner.

What Compensation Can I Seek in A Dog Bite Claim?

Dog attacks can cause trauma, pain, and suffering. In addition to substantial medical expenses from injuries, victims of dog bites may lose wages during recovery, have permanent physical limitations, and suffer from disfigurement. In a personal injury lawsuit, you might seek compensation for the following financial losses:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Loss of consortium, or loss of familial relationships
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Physical limitations

If you or your loved one has been attacked by a dog, you should know your rights. An experienced dog bite attorney from Clark, Perdue & List can help you recover the most compensation for your injuries.