Virginia Dog Bite Attorney

Clean the wound immediately with warm water and soap. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the surface, then cover with a sterile bandage.

After any type of animal attack, protect yourself first. When safe to do so, gather the homeowner or other owner’s name and contact information. In serious injuries involving a vicious dog, it may be beneficial to contact the police and animal control, especially if the dog is on the loose and could harm others.

Acting fast is critical in dog bite cases. Your priority should be to protect yourself from further bites.

In the case of serious injuries, seek medical attention for the dog bite. It is beneficial to seek healthcare for dog bites to assess the risk of infection and for other medical treatments. A laceration may lead to nerve, muscle, or tendon damage. Some injuries may lead to disfigurement and complicated medical treatment that could include cosmetic restorative procedures.

If you suffered an injury due to a dog bite from a dog that you do not own, you may have the right to pursue damages for your losses. To do that, you must be able to show evidence that the dog’s owner was negligent and that the dog attacked or bit you and caused you harm.

If you can do this, you may then seek compensation for your injuries. Some examples of damages you may be able to recover include:

• Medical expenses: Including both past and future medical costs related to the injury, such as hospitalizations, medications, and any additional surgery or care you need.
• Lost time at work: If you miss work, you may be able to request compensation for lost time at work and any loss of benefits as a result.
• Emotional distress: It is not uncommon for those suffering from a dog bite injury to also suffer trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, from the event. This may warrant mental health support, which may fall under the owner’s responsibility.

You may also suffer pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and other complications from the dog bite. If you can prove that you suffered these types of losses, you can pursue a personal injury claim to recover those damages. Most often, these personal injury cases fall under the dog owner’s home insurance policy.

There are limitations to your right to compensation under Virginia’s laws:

• Provoking the dog: You cannot provoke the dog in any way to antagonize the dog while the dog is on its property or is otherwise in a place lawfully.
• If you were trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the dog attack, the dog owner may not be liable for the losses.
• There is no statewide leash law in Virginia, though some cities have them in place. That means the owner is not automatically responsible for maintaining the dog on a leash in all areas.

Virginia laws follow the one-bite rule. That means that the owner is strictly liable for the injuries their dog causes to another person if the dog owner knows there is a risk that the dog is dangerous. This may indicate the owner’s negligence in the matter.

You may find it hard to pursue a dog bite lawsuit if the dog has not had any type of previous instance of injury to others. This is one of the differences between Virginia’s strict liability and other states. The owner must understand that there is a risk to others to be held liable.

If you believe you were hurt by a dog and the owner is negligent, seek legal advice from Virginia dog bite lawyers. If it is a known dangerous dog, you may wish to seek out local animal control for additional guidance on keeping yourself safe in the future. Some dogs, including pit bulls and rottweilers, are known to be at a higher risk, and additional owner liability may apply in those situations.

Appropriate medical care may involve:

• Cleaning the wound and, if the wound is deep, you may need stitches or sutures for lacerations
• Antibiotics may be necessary to prevent infection
• Any changes to your condition or the wound over time should be reported to a healthcare professional.

If a loved one suffers an injury from a dog bite, especially a child, seek medical attention for the family member. That is important, especially if the individual cannot communicate what injuries they may have.

If the dog is properly vaccinated, you do not need a vaccination for a rabies shot. When you visit the medical professional, they will try to determine if there is a risk to you based on the dog’s history and medical records, if you have them. If you do not know if the dog is at risk, your doctor may recommend treatment as a preventative measure. In situations like this, your doctor may recommend immunization and treatment for rabies for up to 14 days after exposure or bite.

Note that the vaccine’s efficacy is confirmed by laboratory evidence, meaning that if the dog has the rabies vaccination and you can verify that, you may not need this type of care.

If your dog is bitten or attacked by another dog, take action as soon as possible:

• Have your dog examined by a veterinary professional as soon as possible.
• Even minor injuries can lead to serious infection risks in some situations.
• All wounds must be properly cleaned and treated, including, in some cases, the prescription of necessary antibiotics.
• Always monitor your dog after providing initial care to know they are healthy.