Dogs Are Not Always Our Best Friends

In society, dogs are found almost everywhere. Our love affair with dogs is undeniable. However, when dogs are not properly trained, are abused, or are not kept under control, they can inflict serious injuries on innocent people. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) regularly studies dog bites and attacks in the U.S. Recent research reveals that approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of those, more than 800,000 need medical attention. Children and older people are the most frequent victims, and sometimes bites can lead to serious infections or life-threatening injuries.

If you suffer a dog bite, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. Our experienced Fairfax attorneys at Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC have helped clients get compensation for their injuries for over 20 years; our senior attorneys each have more than 40 years of experience. As leaders in the personal injury field, you can trust us to aggressively fight to help you obtain the maximum compensation.

The One Free Bite Rule

Every person has the right to be safe from dangerous animals. Unfortunately, the law does not provide much protection to people in advance. Aside from leash laws, some jurisdictions have procedures to have a dog declared dangerous which then requires owners to have additional security. However, if a person is the victim of a dog attack, they may be able to hold the owner liable for the injuries and damages. But the owner may not be strictly liable. The victim may have to prove that the owner was on notice of the dog’s dangerous propensities and that the owner then did not take reasonable care to control the dog. This can be established by proof that the dog has bitten someone before.

The reasoning behind the “one free bite” rule is that if a dog has never bitten anyone, then the owner is not on notice of any danger and then is not responsible if the dog bites someone. The one free bite rule is not necessarily valid depending on the jurisdiction. Some dogs exhibit prior behaviors that may be used to impute notice to the owner of a dangerous propensity.

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Dog Bite Injury?

If the owner violates the leash law, then they may be liable for an injury caused by the dog. And if the dog has already been classified as dangerous, the owner may be strictly liable for whatever injuries are caused by the dog. If a property owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog, the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover the owner and provide a source of recovery for the victim.

Whether the owner of a dog can be held liable for the dog’s behavior requires the gathering of all facts and circumstances surrounding the dog and the attack. Police, Animal Control and veterinarian records may document the dog’s prior behavior. Prior owners and neighbors of the dog’s owner may also be a good source of information.

Breed Specific Legislation

There are numerous dogs that in the past were trained or bred for fighting and may be considered inherently dangerous such as:

• Pit bulls
• Rottweilers
• Cane Corsos

Breed-specific legislation may exist in a particular jurisdiction but there has been a backlash against such legislation with detractors claiming that the breed does not make the dog dangerous. Unfortunately, the same reasons that made the particular breed attractive to dog fighters, including size, speed, agility, gameness, and the force of their bite, make the damage they inflict should they choose to attack that much worse.

Examples Of Our Assistance To Dog Bite Victims

Dog bites pool repair man: When Phil arrived to inspect and repair a pool house, the property owner escorted him into a fenced area in the back of the house. The owner’s dog, which the owner knew to be dangerous and have the propensity to bite strangers, was loose. The dog attacked and bit Phil, causing severe lacerations to his hand and arm, as well as significant infections. Lawson Spivey and Ed Weiner successfully negotiated a $500,000 settlement on Phil’s behalf through the defendant’s homeowner’s policy.

Woman mauled by a dog: Rose, 69, loved walking in her neighborhood. As she left her home one afternoon, she was attacked and mauled by a neighbor’s pit bull, which had a long history of getting loose. The dog bit Rose on her neck, ear, upper arm, forearm and hand. Some of the bites were so savage that they exposed the underlying muscle. Rose received over 100 stitches and required extensive physical therapy and psychotherapy to recover from her injuries. After extensive negotiations by Gene Miller with the dog owner’s insurance company, Rose received a settlement of $225,000 through the dog owner’s homeowner’s policy.

Click here to see our results on behalf of other clients.

Don’t Wait To Get Help

Dogs require proper training and care and every dog owner has a responsibility not only to the dog but to others who may be affected by the behavior of the dog. Victims of dog attacks should consult an experienced attorney to learn about their rights to compensation from the owner of the dog.

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, Weiner, Spivey & Miller, PLC can help. We have years of experience in successfully advocating for the victims of injuries, including dog bites. We will answer your questions, as well as help you understand your legal options and next steps. Call us today to schedule your free consultation at 703-273-9500 or contact us online.