Dog Bites

Richard F. Marquardt, Attorney at Law, has years of experience dealing with dog bite cases in Columbus, Ohio. The focus of our law firm is to get compensation for our clients for injuries that were no fault of their own.

Ohio Laws Regarding Dog Bites

If you have suffered from an attack by a dog that belongs to someone else, there is a good chance you could be eligible for a legal settlement. Ohio laws are very clear about who is responsible during a dog bite incident. In most cases, the owner is liable for the behavior of the dog, and can be brought to court by the dog bite victim within two years of the incident.

Ohio Dog Bite Statute

ORC, Section 955.28 Owner Liable for Damages:

(B) The owner, keeper, or harbor of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog, unless the injury, death, or loss was caused to the person or property of an individual who, at the time, was committing or attempting to commit a trespass or other criminal offense on the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer, or was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against any person, or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner's, keeper's, or harborer's property.

Harborer's and Keeper's

Ohio law states that not all dog bite victims have the right to take the dog owner to court following a dog bite. If you have control of the dog at the time of the attack, you are responsible for the dog's behavior. Even if you don't live in the home where the dog lives, you cannot file suit if you were directly in charge of the animal. Anyone who chooses to take the dog for a walk or otherwise assume control of the animal is considered a harborer or keeper of the dog. Exceptions to this law are allowed if the dog is known to be vicious and the owner neglects to inform neighbors or house guests of the danger.

Owner Negligence

If an owner understands that his or her dog becomes excitable around other people, or has a tendency to bite, the owner is responsible for keeping the dog suitably confined or separated from people. It is the owner's responsibility to make sure that neighborhood residents and visitors remain safe from dog bites at all times. If the dog should bite or otherwise attack someone in the home, the victim has the right to sue the dog owner.

Statute of Limitations on Filing a Complaint in Ohio

The general statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit against a dog owner after a dog bite in Ohio is two years. There are circumstances that can reduce the statute of limitations or extend it significantly. If you are not sure about the specific statute surrounding a dog bite incident, it is a good idea to contact an attorney about your case.

Those suffering from a dog bite injuries may end up losing time from work or school, suffering from lingering pain, permanent scarring or disfigurement, permanent muscle or tissue damage, emotional distress, anxiety being around dogs in the future, incurring out of pocket expenses, losing sleep, and dealing with the mental stress of having their lives turned upside down. In the most extreme cases, a dog bite can threaten the loss of a limb or the loss of life.

If you or someone you know has been in a dog bite incident, contact Richard F. Marquardt, Attorney at Law, today for a free consultation. To schedule a free consultation, please call our office at (614) 789-1622. Richard F. Marquardt looks forward to aggressively representing your rights.