Richmond Dog Bite Lawyer

Throughout the United States, around 885,000 people each year seek medical care as a result of a dog bite. Unfortunately, many of these bite incidents can cause serious injuries that result in permanent scarring or impairment.

To hold negligent owners and their insurance companies accountable, you need an experienced Richmond dog bite lawyer to aggressively investigate your case. At Monge & Associates, our dedicated Richmond personal injury lawyers know how to secure vital animal control records and build a trial-ready claim to ensure you receive the justice and financial support you deserve.

To find out more about how our firm can help you, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation with a Richmond dog bite lawyer. 

Why Choose Monge & Associates After A Dog Bite in Richmond

Monge & Associates is the firm to turn to as a dog bite victim because:

• We have been representing injured victims since 1993: During our decades of fighting for the injured, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the laws governing dog bite claims in Virginia. We know how to gather the necessary evidence and present solid legal arguments to prove negligence or a history of aggression. 
• We’ve recovered over $1 billion for our clients both in and out of the courtroom. We have demonstrated that we are skilled negotiators and experienced litigators capable of presenting a compelling claim. We’ll negotiate with the homeowners’ insurer covering the dog owner to try to get you the maximum compensation possible. 
• We will put our resources to use to build a strong case. Our firm has the resources to work with investigators and expert witnesses to build a strong claim that demonstrates a history of aggression, negligence by the dog owner, or other grounds to hold the owner accountable for the harm they caused.
• We care about our clients. We have hundreds of five-star reviews because of our commitment to keeping clients informed and putting their goals at the forefront during a challenging time in their lives. 

To find out more about how our firm can fight for you and help you pursue a claim for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, just reach out. Our goal is to do everything we can so you are made whole from the dog attack. 

Understanding Virginia’s Dog-Bite Laws

Virginia’s dog bite laws allow you to hold a dog owner accountable for a bite incident if:

• The dog owner had reason to know of the dog’s aggression or tendency to bite
• The dog owner was negligent, and their breach of a duty of care resulted in the bite incident occurring 

If a dog has bitten someone in the past or shown other signs of aggression, this can be important evidence that the dog owner should have been aware of the danger the animal posed to others. 

Likewise, if a dog owner had a dog off the leash despite leash laws and the dog bit someone, this is an example of a situation when the owner’s negligence and violation of a safety rule was a contributing cause of the incident. 

Unlike some states, however, dog owners in Virginia are not held strictly liable for a bite incident. Virginia and other states without this strict liability rule are called “one-bite” states because the dog essentially gets one free bite before the owner is expected to know it is aggressive. 

This makes it important to get legal help from a skilled legal professional who can assist you in gathering evidence showing why the dog owner was responsible so you can get justice. 

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite injuries can cause very serious damage and, in some cases, a bite incident can be fatal. Here are some of the most common types of dog bite injuries suffered by victims of animal attacks in Richmond. 

• Rabies or tetanus: Although developing these conditions after a bite is rare, it is possible for viruses and bacteria to be transmitted to you from puncture wounds caused by a dog attack.
• Puncture wounds: When a dog’s sharp teeth cut into your skin, puncture wounds are common. While small holes from a dog’s teeth may not seem serious, bacteria in the dog’s mouth can cause these wounds to become infected. 
• Bacterial infections: Germs can enter the bloodstream through a dog bite, leading to swelling, redness, pus, and sometimes systemic infection.
• Lacerations: These are tears in the skin and underlying tissue. They go deeper than regular cuts, and can result from the dog dragging its teeth across your body. 
• Avulsions: If the dog tears skin or tissue away from the body, avulsions can result. 
• Crush injuries: A dog’s powerful jaws can crush your limbs, damaging bone and tissue. 
• Bone fractures: The pressure from the bite of a large dog can cause your bone to crack and break. 
• Nerve damage: When a dog’s powerful jaw punctures or compresses deep tissue, the nerves can be damaged. This can result in loss of movement and sensation, tingling, and numbness among other symptoms. 
• Ligament and tendon tears: A powerful bite can cause serious structural damage, often requiring surgical repair. 
• Scarring and disfigurement: A dog bite can do permanent damage to your appearance if you suffer scarring and disfigurement. 
• Emotional damage: Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience, especially if you fear for your life. You may relive the attack, experience serious PTSD, and suffer from lasting fear and anxiety. 
• Death: Some dog attacks are fatal, especially when there are children involved or when certain aggressive and strong breeds of dog attack. 

When you suffer any injuries from the incident, you must ensure that you get prompt medical help, that your injuries are well-documented, and that you keep a record of your financial and non-economic losses so you can maximize the compensation you are able to collect. 

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Contact a Richmond Dog Bite Lawyer Today

A Richmond dog bite lawyer at our firm can fight for you when a dog has harmed you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the services we offer. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win, and we know Virginia’s dog bite laws inside and out, so place your trust in our team to help you navigate the justice system.