Richmond Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites can cause devastating physical and psychological harm. When you are the victim of a bite, you may need extensive medical care and may experience permanent impairment. In some especially tragic cases, bite incidents can be fatal. 

If you or someone you love was hurt by a dog attack, Monge & Associates can help. Our Richmond personal injury lawyers will fight for you in your pursuit of justice and help you maximize your chances of getting full and fair compensation from the dog’s owner.

To find out more about how our firm can help you, give us a call or contact us online today.

Why Choose Monge & Associates

In the aftermath of a dog attack, you need a trusted legal advocate. Monge & Associates has the skills and experience you need to navigate the justice system and prove that the dog owner should be liable for your losses. You should turn to our firm for help because:

• We’ve been representing injured victims since 1993: Our firm is dedicated to handling personal injury claims. We have represented many dog bite victims, and we have a deep knowledge of the local laws impacting your claim.
• We’ve recovered over $1 billion for our clients. While the facts of your case will determine your compensation for your bite injuries, our firm has the necessary skills and experience to help you make solid legal arguments. Our track record of success shows we know how to fight for fair payment when our clients have been harmed.
• We have the resources you need to investigate your case. We have a network of experts who can testify about what happened, as well as a structured plan for investigating the incident, obtaining medical records, and building solid claims.
• We’re compassionate and dedicated advocates: Our firm will be here to answer questions and offer support throughout your case.

Understanding Virginia’s Dog Bite Laws

Virginia’s dog bite laws will control when and how you can recover compensation for a bite. Some states hold dog owners strictly liable for any bite, even if there was no past history of aggression and no signs that the dog was a threat to humans. This is not the case in Virginia.

Under Virginia law, dog owners can be held liable when a dog attacks only if the owners know, or have reason to know, that the dog is aggressive. 

This means you may need to show the dog has behaved inappropriately in the past by doing things like biting others, growling at humans, or engaging in other unsafe behaviors that should have alerted the dog’s owner that the animal presented a risk.

You could also recover compensation from the owner using a negligence argument if you can show that the owner was unreasonably careless in a way that put you at risk, despite having a legal duty to you to protect you against harm.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Richmond Cases

If a dog owner is liable for your losses, they should compensate you for all of the damages related to your bite injuries. The compensation can be very substantial because bite injuries can be very serious.

Some of the most common types of bite injuries that victims suffer in a dog attack include:

• Bone fractures
• Crush injuries
• Cuts/lacerations
• Damage to the ligaments
• Damage to the nerves
• Disfigurement of the face
• Emotional distress or trauma
• Infection
• Puncture wounds
• Tissue damage

In some cases, you will be unable to fully recover 100% from your injuries due to the severity of the damage the dog has done.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Dog Bite Injuries in Richmond

If you or someone you love is harmed by a dangerous dog, the owner of the animal is the most obvious person who will be held liable.  However, there may also be other potential defendants. 

For example, if a landlord is aware of a dangerous dog and doesn’t do anything to address the situation or warn or alert other tenants of the risk, it’s possible the landlord might be held liable for losses.

A dog’s handler is also expected to exercise reasonable care, even if the handler is not the owner. If the handler is negligent in a way that leads to the bite incident, the handler could also be to blame.

Evidence Needed for Your Richmond Dog Bite Case

If you want to pursue a Richmond dog bite case, you will need evidence to show:

• The dog owner was negligent, or should be held strictly liable, based on their awareness that the dog was dangerous. You can present witness testimony, bite records, or any other information you can find that helps you to prove the dog’s owner overlooked aggression.
• The dog bit you or attacked you. You’ll have to show what happened at the accident scene. If the dog’s owner argues that the animal was provoked, you may also have to disprove that defense. 
• You were harmed as a direct result of the dog attack. You must show that you suffered damage because of the incident

You can gather evidence, including photos from the incident, police reports if you called the police, witness testimony if others saw the accident, and pictures from the scene. You may also need to have experts testify about the extent of the damage, or present evidence from witnesses explaining signs of the dog’s past aggression. 

Compensation Available to Richmond Dog Bite Victims

If you can successfully prove your dog bite accident claim, you should be entitled to compensation for: 

• Medical bills: All bills related to the injuries caused by the dog should be covered, including any future bills that you’ll need for ongoing care later on. 
• Lost wages: If you missed any work time because of the dog attack, even if you took sick leave, you should be able to pursue a claim for compensation
• Pain and suffering: Dog attacks can be very painful. You need to be fully repaid for the physical harm you endured. 
• Emotional distress: When you are attacked by a dog, this can impact your mental health and leave you coping with fear and anxiety. If you experience any type of emotional distress due to the accident, you should be compensated for this non-economic loss.
• Lost quality of life and loss of companionship: If your quality of life and your relationships with your loved ones are disputed, you should have a plan for this issue.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Richmond

There are several steps you should take after a dog bite in Richmond, both to protect your health and to make sure you have the best chance of a successful claim against the dog’s owner. You should:

• Get medical help right away. Your doctor can document and treat your injuries and spot minor symptoms that could lead to major problems. 
• Report the attack: You’ll need to tell Richmond Animal Services, and potentially the Richmond police, about the attack. 
• Gather evidence: Try to take pictures from the scene where the attack happened, and get the contact details of witnesses when you can. Keep the clothing you had on at the time of the attack as well. 
• Get legal help: You need assistance from an experienced attorney who can help you to build a strong case and act within Virginia’s two-year statute of limitations. 

Monge & Associates offers the help and support you need in the aftermath of a bite.

Contact a Richmond Dog Bite Attorney Today

When you’re ready to talk with a Richmond dog bite attorney who can bring decades of legal experience and a commitment to compassionate advocacy to your claim, give Monge & Associates a call to schedule your free consultation.