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Bitten by a dog?

Get The Compensation You Deserve.

Canton Dog Bite Lawyer

It is estimated that over 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Of those, around 800,000 require medical treatment, with nearly 400,000 needing emergency medical care for their injuries. Injuries sustained in a dog bite attack or mauling can be painful and debilitating and leave their victims with permanent injuries and lingering emotional trauma.

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If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury, you must take immediate action. A Canton dog bite lawyer at one of Ohio’s leading dog bite injury law firms, Slater & Zurz, is standing by. With over 30 years of experience helping dog bite injury victims, we understand how these cases are won. Our attorneys know that a compelling strategy and aggressive stance are essential in obtaining full and fair compensation for our clients. To take the first step, we welcome you to arrange your free consultation with one of our dog bite lawyers, where we will discuss your situation and provide our honest feedback and expert legal guidance.

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Call us at (330)968-2547 or fill out this form.

Common Injuries Sustained in a Dog Attack

Dog attacks can lead to devastating injuries that result in lifelong disfigurement and disability. When children are attacked, they often suffer severe emotional effects that can last a lifetime. In our over 40 years of helping dog bite attack victims get the compensation they deserve, our attorneys have seen all types of dog attack injuries ranging from minor to serious. Below we have listed some of the more frequent injuries sustained in a dog bite attack.

  • Cuts and bruises
  • Puncture wounds
  • Head injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Eye injuries
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Nerve damage
  • Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Loss of limb
  • Serious diseases, such as rabies
  • Infections, such as staph, strep, and tetanus
  • Severe emotional trauma
  • Wrongful death

The High Costs of Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs can be unpredictable. Although they are generally friendly, loving animals, they can turn in a second when they feel threatened or scared and cause devastating and costly injuries.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the cost for treating dog bite injuries totals over $1 billion annually. Homeowners insurers pay out an average of $900 million every year to dog attack victims and their families. The average dog bite-related hospital stay costs over $20,000, with a total cost of nearly $54,000,000 annually. It is also estimated that every year, approximately 27,000 dog bite victims require costly reconstructive surgery to recover from their wounds, totaling millions of dollars in medical expenses.

Reporting a Dog Bite in Ohio

Ohio’s dog bite reporting law requires a dog bite victim or “anyone who has knowledge” of a person being bitten by a dog to file a bite incident report. This report needs to be filed with the local health department within 24 hours of the dog attack. In Canton, the report would be filed with Canton City Public Health. To find other local health districts, visit the Ohio.gov website.

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Call us at (330)968-2547 or fill out this form.

Recovering Damages in a Canton Dog Bite Injury Claim

Under Ohio’s strict liability statute, victims of dog attacks can recover damages from the dog’s owner, keeper, or harborer without having to prove the party acted negligently. Below are damages that may be available to you in your dog bite injury claim.

  • Medical expenses
  • Reconstructive surgery
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Loss of consortium

If you or a loved one was injured in a dog bite attack or mauling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our Canton dog bite injury firm will help you fight for the compensation you and your family need to heal from this traumatic event.

Strict Liability and Common Law Negligence

As previously stated, under the state’s strict liability statute, the owner of a dog who attacks is generally liable for a victim’s injuries. Therefore, the injured party has the right to seek compensation without having to prove the owner, keeper, or harborer acted negligently.

However, in a common-law negligence lawsuit, the injured party will have to prove the owner acted in a negligent manner. Negligence occurs when someone doesn’t use an adequate level of care to prevent harm or injury to others. For example, if an owner knows their dog is aggressive and allows the animal to be off-leash, they are acting negligently.

In Ohio, a dog attack victim can pursue simultaneous strict liability and negligence claims – as long as their cases meet the requirements. We recommend arranging a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Canton dog bite lawyers to learn more.

How Our Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help

After a dog attack, recovering emotionally and physically from your injuries should be your top priority. Having a skilled Canton dog bite lawyer on your side will help you seek compensation while focusing on your recovery. Your attorney will step in and handle every step of the dog bite injury lawsuit process and ensure your rights and best interests are protected. An experienced dog bite lawyer from Slater & Zurz will provide indispensable assistance by:

  • Keeping you apprised of any developments in your dog bite case
  • Handling all communication with the liable party’s insurance company
  • Thoroughly investigating the dog bite incident, including interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence
  • Reviewing insurance company policies to determine claim coverage
  • Reviewing medical records and incident reports to identify liability
  • Working with our team of medical and financial experts to accurately assess your total damages
  • Negotiating skillfully to recover full and fair compensation for your losses
  • Advocating aggressively on your behalf in court, if necessary
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Our attorneys genuinely care about the well-being of our clients. For this reason, we also offer you and your family our unwavering and our thoughtful guidance throughout the entire process. And when your case is resolved, we will continue to be there for you whenever you need us.

A Free Consultation with a Qualified Dog Bite Lawyer in Canton

Suffering a dog bite can be frustrating and traumatic. Dealing with the emotional and physical effects of the attack can leave you overwhelmed. But our dedicated and compassionate dog attack lawyers want you to know you do not have to go through this alone. We are here to help you obtain the medical care you need to heal as fully as possible from your injuries. While you focus on recovering, we will work diligently in our pursuit of justice. We will utilize our knowledge and resources to build a compelling legal strategy and aggressively fight for maximum recovery on your behalf.

We understand the far-reaching effects of a serious dog bite injury. That is why we stop at nothing to get you the much-needed compensation so you can move on with your life. Our personal injury lawyers also handle our dog bite cases under a contingency fee agreement, meaning you will not have to pay any up-front fees and will owe us nothing unless we recover damages on your behalf. Call (330)968-2547 or fill out our simple online form to arrange a free, no-obligation case review. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, meaning the dog owner is generally liable for damages regardless of whether they acted negligently. However, if the dog bite victim provoked the dog in any way, was trespassing on the owner’s property, or was committing or attempting to commit a crime, the dog owner will likely not be responsible for the victim’s losses.
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If the dog owner, keeper, or harborer is found to be liable for a victim’s injuries and other losses, the liable party’s insurance, such as their homeowner’s, renter’s, or commercial insurance, will likely be responsible for the payout.
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In most personal injury cases, it is best to keep your discussions with the dog owner and their insurance company to a minimum. We also advise injured victims not to speak to anyone about the details of the incident or their injuries except their attorney. It is also best not to offer any details besides your contact information and never provide anyone with your written statement or signature.