Hampton Dog Bite Attorney
A majority of American households have at least one dog in the family, and a significant portion of these households have more than one dog. Whether for companionship or protection, many people form a close bond with their animals and feel comfortable with the animals owned by friends and family members. They do not expect familiar animals to attack them, but the facts indicate that a person is more likely to suffer a dog bite or dog attack from a known animal than an unknown stray.
When a dog attacks you or a loved one, you are at risk of suffering severe, debilitating injuries and scarring. You are also at risk of developing rabies or other contagious illnesses the dog may have. All of this can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. A dog bite attorney is available to assist you in obtaining compensation for your dog bite injuries.
Virginia is a “One Bite” State
Some states hold a dog owner strictly liable for the damage and harm his or her animal causes, regardless of whether the dog had previously attacked someone or whether the owner had reason to know of the dog’s dangerous characteristics. Virginia does not follow this rule. Instead, Virginia is said to be a “one bite” state because a dog owner will only be held responsible for the harm his or her dog causes if there is evidence the owner knew or should have known of his or her dog’s violent tendencies. In most cases, the evidence that would support this is evidence that the dog had previously attacked or tried to attack someone else.
Your Own Negligence Matters
Virginia dog bite victims are also disadvantaged because your own negligence can prevent you from recovering any compensation. For example, trespassing on another person’s property, taunting a dog, or even failing to seek prompt medical treatment can be seen as negligent, unreasonable behavior and can defeat your claim for compensation.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
After a dog bite injury has occurred, you should take immediate action to protect your health as well as your legal interests. Make sure that you:
- Seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries right away, even if you do not believe you have been seriously hurt;
- Call the police or animal control and report the incident; and
- Make a note of all the details about your attack for future reference, including a description of the dog, the name of the owner (if you know), where the attack occurred, and what actions you took before, during, and after the attack. Also, list any witnesses who may have seen the attack and who can corroborate your story.
Contact a Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer Today
You need aggressive and resourceful legal counsel to help you recover compensation after a dog bite attack. Jan Hoen of Hampton Injury Law is such an attorney. Contact Hampton Injury Law as soon as possible after a dog bite attack to protect your legal rights and increase the chances of obtaining financial compensation for your injuries.
