West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs can be wonderful household pets and are even considered family by many. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 62 million households across the United States own dogs, with more than 83 million dogs living in homes nationwide. As beloved as dogs may be, they are nevertheless animals with physical attributes that can cause serious damage, and their behavior can be unpredictable. When dogs lash out, they can leave people—especially those vulnerable to attack, such as the elderly and children—seriously or even fatally injured. If this has happened to you or a loved one, consider consulting with a West Virginia (WV) dog bite lawyer, like the ones at Burke, Shultz, Harman & Jenkinson.
When Should You Contact a West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer?
Victims of dog bites understand how violent and traumatic an attack by a dog can be. Dog bite sufferers may be entitled to money to compensate them for their medical expenses, physical pain, and even the emotional distress they suffered as a result of an attack.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite in West Virginia, it is important to take legal action quickly in pursuit of a claim for damages. Contact a knowledgeable and dedicated West Virginia dog bite attorney at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson for a free consultation on your injury claim.
West Virginia Dog Bite Laws
Under WV Code § 19-20-13, the state imposes what is known as strict liability on dog owners after certain types of dog bites. If a dog owner allows their dog to run loose outside the owner’s property, and that dog attacks someone, the owner can be held legally responsible for the victim’s injuries, regardless of whether the owner suspected the dog might bite. This liability may also apply when a dog is being supervised by a kennel or walker at the time of a bite.
For an owner to be held liable when a dog bite occurs on the owner’s property or while the dog is on a leash, a victim must show that the owner knew the dog had a tendency to bite or had some warning that the dog was dangerous.
Dogs in West Virginia are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated appropriately and quickly, and dogs are the most common source of rabies in humans. County commissions in WV are authorized to regulate dog control, and local ordinances also place certain responsibilities on dog owners. For example, a Berkeley County animal control ordinance requires dogs to be under the control of an owner or other supervisor and to be on a leash if the dog is not on the owner’s property, among other requirements.
A WV personal injury lawyer who understands how the state’s dog bite laws apply in various cases can assist you in determining if a dog’s owner or another person or entity is liable for injuries sustained by you or a loved one after a bite or attack by a dog. Consulting with an attorney as early as possible is beneficial because evidence must be gathered and analyzed to support a claim of liability.
Injuries to Dog Bite Victims Can Be Serious
Dog bites can occur under extremely frightening, violent conditions. Injuries from dog attacks might require months of treatment and rehabilitation, even requiring costly surgeries to repair damages. Dog bite injuries to children, particularly, can be severe because bites occur more often in the area of the head, face, and neck. Dog bite injuries can include:
- Nerve damage
- Need for reconstructive surgery and scar reduction
- Damage to tendons and ligaments
- Risk of serious infection
- Emotional pain and post-traumatic stress
An experienced WV dog bite attorney knows how to establish under the law that certain physical and emotional injuries are related to a dog bite attack. A lawyer can work with expert witnesses in the medical field to support your claim and demonstrate that you are entitled to compensation.
Contact a West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer for Help
If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite in West Virginia, seek compassionate and dedicated legal help by contacting a knowledgeable and experienced West Virginia dog bite lawyer at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson for a free consultation on your case. Call 304-263-0900 or complete this online contact form to get in touch.
