Dog Bite Lawyer
Serving West Virginia and Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
What is strict liability?
It means that the dog owner is held responsible for injuries inflicted by the dog, even if that dog had never previously bitten anyone. In the past, many states had a “one free bite” rule, where the owner was not held responsible for the dog’s first attack, but was held responsible for any thereafter. As more dog bites have been happening over the years, more states have moved to strict liability.
What if my dog bites a trespasser? Am I liable?
No, perhaps not. That would be determined in each individual case.
Should I hire an attorney for my child who was bitten by my neighbor’s dog?
This situation could easily put you in a difficult situation. You of course want to obtain redress for your child, and compensation for medical costs. On the other hand, you won’t want to create bad feeling with your neighbors.
You might be tempted to just accept what the insurance adjuster offers you and let it go. Don’t do that, because a lawyer can obtain five or ten times as much compensation for you. The adjuster is offering a minimal amount to buy you off, trying to preserve his employer’s money.
Dog bite lawyer work on a contingency basis, meaning that you will owe no money up front. Only after the attorney has won you an award or judgment will he be paid. And further, having a lawyer represent you is a way of not having to make accusations or say unpleasant things about your neighbor. The attorney will do that, and only as much as is necessary. It won’t be coming from you. This relieves you of stress.
If you employ Jim Leach in this sort of situation, he will not harass the dog owners, or embarrass them; he will not write any threatening letters or rush them into court. Most such cases are settled out of court, between the dog owner’s insurance company and the injured party’s attorney. This will make the whole process more neutral, saving both you and the dog owners from emotional upset and mutual anger.
What can I do about the pit bull in our neighborhood?
If you have young children playing in the area, you’d understandably be worried about a possible dog bite injury. Almost every city has a leash law, requiring that a dog be leashed or securely fenced in. If it isn’t being properly enforced, contact your city government. A dog bite lawyer can do this for you. He could also assess the local animal control laws and communicate to the police, the city council, the mayor, and even the local press.
How long would a dog bite legal claim take?
That would depend a lot on the specific circumstances and severity of injuries. There isn’t any fixed time. If injuries are severe, they’ll have to have time to heal and form scars before the medical costs can be assessed. That would be anything up to a year for some people because we all scar in our own individual way. If plastic surgery is required to reduce scarring, that would extend the time needed. If it’s the face that was injured, more cosmetic work may be required to fully repair it than if only an ankle was hurt. Jim Leach has helped many people with dog bite cases, and could give you a rough estimate, based on his experience and on the relevant medical reports.
If you or your child have been bitten by a dog, don’t delay in contacting Jim Leach to learn more about your legal rights. You can call or email to schedule your free initial consultation, and this will start the ball rolling. Mr. Leach will first need to gather information from you, and the sooner this is begun, the more readily he can begin building a case for you. Contact our dog bite lawyer today.
Our dog bite attorneys represent dog bite victims throughout West Virginia and Southern Ohio including the communities of Belpre, Marietta, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Athens, Jackson, Vienna, Morgantown, Charleston, Huntington, Ravenswood and Ripley.
1.866.janjim1