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West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers
Dogs are typically friendly and devoted to us, yet they are also capable of lashing out and causing serious physical harm. When large dogs become aggressive, there is a major risk of injury during a mauling. These dangers are compounded when children are the victims in a dog attack.
At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, we help dog bite victims and their families obtain the compensation they need to alleviate the physical, financial, and emotional trauma of the attack. Our attorneys provide personal, caring, and dedicated representation to injured clients and their families.
We’re ready to help you find the best path forward. To request a free consultation from an experienced Charleston dog bite lawyer near you, contact our law offices in West Virginia.
- Were You Attacked by an Animal in West Virginia?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in West Virginia?
- Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Serious Dog Attack
- Are Some Dog Breeds More Aggressive Than Others?
- Potential Injuries in a Dog Attack
- Dangers When Dogs Attack Toddlers and Young Children
- Damages in a Dog Attack Lawsuit
- Request a Free Consultation with Our Charleston Dog Bite Lawyers
Holding the Dog Owners Liable for Injuries
While West Virginia does not have an explicit statewide leash law, it does have a law pertaining to dog bites, animal attacks, and who should be held liable when such incidents occur.
Per West Virginia Code § 19-20-13, the owner or keeper of a dog that is allowed to run at large will be held liable for any injuries or damage to property while the dog is allowed to run at large.
In simple terms, this means that dog owners are responsible for any kinds of damage their dog inflicts if the dog is not attended to.
Factors That Determine Liability in a Dog Attack
When a dog attacks an individual, certain factors are considered to determine if the dog owner may be held liable for the victim’s injuries. These factors include:
- No Previous Attacks: If the dog has not been branded as a vicious dog (resulting from prior dog bite attacks), one must usually prove that the dog owner was acting negligently in order to pursue liability.
- No Previous Attacks and Running Loose: If the dog is running loose on the sidewalk, in a park, or anywhere else outside the owner’s property and injures someone, the dog owner is automatically responsible for any injuries that result because the dog owner allowed their dog to roam unattended.
- Previous Attacks: When a previous incident of a dog attack has been reported regarding the dog, the dog owner may be held liable for injuries that occurred as a result.
Our dog bite attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of West Virginia laws as well as local ordinances. We know how to effectively analyze the facts, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the case to determine if our client has a valid claim for recovery.
Usually, if a dog owner is found to be liable, compensation will be recovered from the dog owner’s homeowner’s policy. As experienced injury attorneys, the team at Warner Law Offices, PLLC strives to recover full compensation for our client’s medical bills as well as for counseling to treat any emotional scarring that resulted from the animal attack.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in West Virginia?
In most dog and animal attack cases, you will have two years from the date of the incident to pursue legal action. Once that two-year statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to seek legal action.
Two years sounds like a long time, but it’s in your best interests to contact our Charleston dog bite lawyers as soon as possible. This will allow our team to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and start building your case. We can also start negotiating a settlement with the insurance company that accounts for the full extent of your injuries and other losses.
Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Serious Dog Attack
At Warner Law Offices, our Charleston, WV personal injury lawyers know the challenges people face after getting attacked or mauled by an aggressive dog. Our law firm’s goal is to help you get back on your feet and seek compensation for the losses related to your serious injuries.
Boutique Law Firm, Big Results
Our West Virginia trial lawyers provide the best of both worlds: the dedicated service of a small law firm as well as the experience and resources of a national legal practice. It’s one of the many reasons why Bobby Warner and the entire team here have been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers and Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings.
Born and Raised in West Virginia
Our team of attorneys were born and raised here in West Virginia. That means we know about different parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces in Charleston and throughout Kanawha County. Our lawyers also know local judges, local medical professionals, and local pet and animal laws, all of which can help support your dog attack case.
We Accommodate Your Mobility and Schedule
After a serious dog mauling, you might feel overwhelmed by your injuries and the complexities of the claims process. We can make things easier for you. If you cannot come to us after suffering a serious animal attack, our lawyers can visit you. We’ll go to your home or the hospital to ensure you get started with your claim as soon as possible.
Attorneys Who Provide Peace of Mind
When you choose Warner Law Offices, you choose to work with highly regarded injury attorneys who focus on client peace of mind. While you focus on recovering from your animal attack, our skilled team of attorneys can handle every aspect of your dog bite claim from start to finish. We’ll sweat the hard stuff so you can rest easy.
If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we will only get paid if we can negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf or win damages for you in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay—easy at that. Warner Law Offices, PLLC removes the risk of further financial hardship for animal attack victims so you can focus on healing and recovery.
To request a free consultation with experienced Charleston dog attack attorneys near you, contact our West Virginia law firm today.
Are Some Dog Breeds More Aggressive Than Others?
Yes, though not in the ways you may have expected. As noted by the American Kennel Club, there are a variety of factors that make certain dogs more aggressive than others.
For instance, smaller dogs tend to exhibit more aggressive behaviors than medium-sized and large dogs. If the dog is afraid, agitated, or in some kind of pain, the dog is more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors as well. It’s also important to note the role that owners, upbringing, and environment play in a dog’s overall aggression and behavior.
Rather than assume a dog is aggressive because of its breed, pay attention to signs of aggression in any dog and exercise caution.
Potential Injuries in a Dog Attack
The injuries sustained in a dog bite or animal attack can vary based on the size of the dog. These are some of the more common injuries our dog attack lawyers in Charleston, WV have noticed when working with local clients:
- Puncture Wounds and Lacerations: As dogs bite down and gnash their teeth, attack victims are bound to experience puncture wounds and cuts. These can be quite severe and lead to major blood loss depending on where the bites are located.
- Muscle and Nerve Damage: A dog’s teeth can do major damage to muscle fibers and nerves in different parts of the body. This could affect grip strength, movement, and sensation even after a dog bite victim has recovered from their initial injuries.
- Broken Bones: A large dog can potentially fracture bones during an attack. Many times this involves injuries to the bones of the hands, wrists, or forearms as people try to protect themselves during a dog attack.
- Tendon and Ligament Injuries: In addition to muscle and nerve damage, dogs can severely injure the ligaments and tendons during an attack. This can also result in changes in movement and mobility.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: If a dog bites or claws at a person’s face, it can cause lasting scars and possible disfigurement. Even after reconstructive surgery, a person could wind up looking different after they’ve survived a dog attack.
It’s crucial that dog attack victims seek immediate medical care to prevent infection and to stop blood loss. Immediate medical help also allows dog attack victims to be tested for rabies and receive immediate treatment for this potentially fatal disease.
The Risk of Catastrophic Injuries in a Dog Attack
Catastrophic injuries refer to severe injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability. Such injuries are thankfully rare in dog bite cases, but they can occur if the attack was particularly brutal or prolonged.
The catastrophic injuries sustained in a dog attack case vary. If a victim suffers severe head trauma while falling to the ground, there’s a risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Such brain injuries can cause issues with memory as well as coordination, motor function, and cognitive ability. In extreme cases, a dog attack could result in the loss of a limb, which may necessitate the use of a prosthetic.
Dangers When Dogs Attack Toddlers and Young Children
Young children are naturally curious when they see a dog. If you have a dog in your own home, your child may immediately want to pet or interact with a new dog. Unfortunately, not all dogs are friendly. These kinds of actions can cause dogs to become instinctively aggressive and potentially attack a child. Even otherwise friendly dogs may initially lash out in confusion.
When a large and aggressive dog attacks a child, the injuries can be especially severe, resulting in catastrophic harm and possibly causing lifelong disfigurement.
How to Keep Your Children Safe Around Dangerous Dogs
If you’re a parent, relative, or caregiver, is it imperative that you protect your child when they’re with a new dog at someone’s house or around new dogs in public. Consider the following tips for your child’s safety:
- Never leave your child alone with a dog
- Teach your child how to introduce themselves to a new dog
- Make sure your child plays gently with a dog
- Keep your child away from any dogs wearing a muzzle
- Be mindful of any signs of aggression by a dog while your child is near
If your child does get attacked by a dog, be sure to seek immediate medical attention. You can then contact our dog bite attorneys in Charleston, WV when your child is okay and you are ready to explore your legal options against the negligent dog owner.
Damages in a Dog Attack Lawsuit
Damages refer to the losses a person has suffered as a direct result of a dog attack. In West Virginia, compensatory damages in personal injury cases fall into two categories: economic damages and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages from a Dog Attack
Economic damages cover the financial losses related to the dog bite and attack. Examples include compensation for:
- Medical bills and hospitalization
- Long-term medical treatment
- Physical rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Property damage
Noneconomic Damages from a Dog Attack
Noneconomic damages address the unexpected life changes and lasting trauma that you experienced because you were mauled by a vicious dog. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Damages from a Fatal Dog Attack
Though fatal dog attacks are exceedingly rare, they can happen. If you lose a loved one in a fatal dog attack, the attorneys at Warner Law Offices, PLLC can help you seek damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. The compensation in a wrongful death claim helps address the damages associated with the loss of life, such as funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the loss of companionship of the deceased loved one.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Charleston Dog Bite Lawyers
Whether you were attacked or your child was seriously hurt by an aggressive dog, you can count on the team at Warner Law Offices, PLLC for help. We will make sure that the dog owner is held accountable for the harm their pet has caused and the hardships you’ve had to endure. To request a free case evaluation with experienced Charleston dog bite lawyers near you, contact our West Virginia law firm today.
Contact Warner Law Offices, PLLC for a free consultation. Call us at 304-345-6789 or message us for experienced representation.
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Charleston, WV 25301
Bobby has received many accolades throughout the years from both his peers in the legal community, as well as the media. The National Trial Lawyers association named Bobby a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and he has been selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent. Additionally, he has been named a Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings, which also named Warner Law Offices to its Best Law Firms of America.
We represent clients across West Virginia and surrounding areas, providing compassionate client service and relentless advocacy in and out of the courtroom.
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