Dog Bite Injury
SERVING THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA
Dog Bite Injury Attorney
HAVE YOU, YOUR PET OR LOVED ONE BEEN ATTACKED BY A VICIOUS DOG IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA?
If you’re one of the 4.7 million Americans who’ve been attacked by a dog this year, you already know it’s no joke. Not only is a dog bite painful and frightening but they can also be life threatening. Anyone bit by a dog should always have, at minimum, a blood test to insure that no contagious disease has been contracted.
Medical treatment is an expense you should not have to incur in addition to the ordeal of a dog bite. Most states hold dog owners accountable if their pet attacks. This means that you are entitled to compensation for medical costs as well as any trauma experienced as a result of the attack.
What are the legal loopholes?
State laws provide serious consequences if the victim dies or a dog was trained to fight, attack or kill: Owners can be convicted of a felony, involuntary manslaughter or worse in the following circumstances:
- If a dog owner knows the dog is dangerous, and allows the dog to run loose, and as a result the dog kills a person.
- A dog owner or person having custody of a dog can be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter if he or she is negligent and the negligence causes death.
- A dog owner or person having custody of a dog can be prosecuted for second degree murder in certain circumstances.
- A dog owner or other person uses a dog as a murder weapon, can be found guilty of first degree murder.
- A dog used as a deadly weapon can justify charges of assault with a deadly weapon, and assault on a police officer.
- Destroying or concealing the attacking dog can result in a conviction for destruction or concealment of evidence.
There are, however, several exceptions to liability. For example, if:
- The victim was a trespasser
- The victim was a veterinarian who was treating the dog at the time of the incident
- The victim was committing a felony
- The victim provoked the dog
- The dog was assisting the police or the military at the time of the incident
There exists a statute of limitations on dog bite cases. In other words; there are time limits in which you can file a personal injury claim against the owner of the offending animal.
Free Case Evaluation