An encounter with a man’s best friend can quickly become a trip to the emergency room. Dogs are common pets found in millions of homes across the country.
Many are loyal companions and sweet pets that would never harm anyone. However, some dogs are aggressive animals that will chase after humans and cause serious injuries.
Millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. Many of these attacks lead to devastating injuries and even death. Children and older people face the highest risk of dog attacks.
Getting bitten by a dog is a frustrating situation. Dog owners must guarantee their dog does not harm others and actively take steps to ensure it does not get loose in a public area.
After a dog bite, most people are primarily concerned with getting prompt medical treatment. They may also need to pursue compensation for their medical expenses and other damages from the responsible pet owner.
If you were bitten by a dog and sustained serious injuries, you can count on the Baltimore dog bite lawyers at Furman | Honick Law to help you with your case. We know the law and can help you proceed.
Baltimore, Maryland Dog Bite Laws
Dog bite laws vary across the country. All Maryland dog owners have responsibilities when it comes to their dogs. If a dog injures or kills someone, the law presumes that the owner should have known that their dog was dangerous.
Dog owners can present evidence that they did not know their dog was dangerous in an attempt to avoid responsibility.
Maryland is a strict liability state, which means that, unlike some other states, a dog does not get one free bite. Owners could face criminal charges if their dog bites and injures someone.
They may face a criminal misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $2,500. In a civil suit, they may be responsible for paying the injured person’s legal damages.
If a dog causes injury, death, or property damage, the owner may be legally responsible unless the victim was:
- Trespassing on the owner’s property
- Committing a criminal offense against any person
- Teasing, provoking, or abusing the dog
When is a Dog Dangerous?
A dog is dangerous if it has caused a severe injury or killed someone without provocation and is deemed to be hazardous by an appropriate agency (such as animal control or law enforcement).
A severe injury refers to a physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations. If the injury requires multiple surgeries or cosmetic surgery to repair, it is considered severe under the law.
Note that owners of dangerous dogs must follow specific requirements, such as how they may leave the dog unattended on their property and how their dog may leave their property.
Types of Baltimore Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites lead to various injuries, some of which are severe and life-altering. Familiarizing yourself with the types of dog bite injuries helps you know when to seek legal recourse.
Here’s a breakdown of common injuries that dog bite victims in Baltimore may face:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Many dog bite injuries involve deep puncture wounds from the dog’s teeth. These injuries can damage muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, often requiring stitches and other medical treatment to prevent infection.
- Lacerations, or torn skin, are also common and may leave permanent scars, particularly on visible areas like the face or arms.
- Fractures and bone injuries
- Certain dog breeds have strong jaws, capable of exerting pressure that can break bones. A dog bite or a powerful push from a larger dog can lead to fractures, especially in the hands, arms, and face.
- Our Baltimore dog bite lawyers frequently see cases where bite victims experience broken bones, leading to long recovery times and potential surgeries.
- Infections and disease transmission
- Dog bites that puncture the skin introduce bacteria, resulting in life-threatening infections like rabies, tetanus, or Pasteurella, which often require intensive medical attention and antibiotics.
- Rabies, in particular, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate vaccination if there’s a risk the attacking dog was unvaccinated.
- Nerve damage
- Severe dog bites may damage nerves, causing numbness, weakness, or even loss of function in the affected area. Nerve damage is often permanent, impacting a dog bite survivor’s ability to use the injured body part fully.
- Experienced dog bite attorneys understand the long-term impacts of such injuries and help victims pursue fair compensation for lasting disabilities.
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Scars are a common outcome of dog bite injuries, especially when bites require stitches or reconstructive surgery. Dog bite victims, particularly children, may suffer from disfiguring scars that affect their confidence and quality of life.
- Maryland’s dog bite laws recognize the long-term impact of disfigurement, allowing victims to seek compensation for both physical and emotional trauma.
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Physical injuries aren’t the only consequence of dog bites. Victims, especially young children, may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety following an attack, especially if the dog bite occurred under traumatic circumstances.
- Emotional trauma from a dog attack can be just as impactful as physical injuries, and dog bite attorneys in Baltimore can help victims recover compensation for therapy and counseling services.
- Head and neck injuries
- In severe cases, especially with powerful breeds like pit bulls, victims may suffer injuries to the head and neck. Such injuries can be life-threatening, requiring emergency medical treatment and ongoing care.
- Baltimore dog bite lawyers advocate for victims facing extensive medical bills due to these severe injuries, ensuring they have the resources needed for long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries due to a dog bite, an experienced Maryland dog bite attorney can guide you through filing a dog bite injury claim.
Our Baltimore dog bite lawyers can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages, among other losses.
Contact Furman | Honick Law today for a free consultation and to discuss your case in detail.
Liability of Dog Owners
Under Maryland law, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, meaning that a dog does not get “one free bite.”
In most cases, if a dog bites or injures someone, the owner is liable, regardless of the dog’s history of aggression.
Owner Responsibilities and Liability
Dog owners are legally responsible for controlling their dogs and taking reasonable care to prevent bites and attacks. Failure to do so can result in liability for any injuries caused.
If a dog attack occurs, the owner may be held accountable for the victim’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Exceptions to liability
While Maryland imposes strict liability on dog owners, certain exceptions may apply.
An owner may not be held liable if the bite victim was:
- Trespassing on the owner’s property
- Committing a criminal offense at the time of the incident
- Teasing, provoking, or abusing the dog, leading to the bite or attack
Dangerous Dog Classification
If a dog has previously attacked or shown aggression, local animal control officers or law enforcement may classify it as a “dangerous dog.”
Owners of dangerous dogs must follow specific containment measures and ensure the dog does not harm others.
Failing to comply with these rules increases the owner’s liability in subsequent incidents.
What Compensation Can You Request After a Dog Bite in Baltimore?
Dog bite survivors have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. An experienced Baltimore dog bite lawyer can guide victims through the process, ensuring they understand their rights and options for recovering damages.
In addition to covering medical expenses, a dog bite claim may also compensate for lost wages, pain, and emotional trauma caused by the attack.
For a thorough evaluation of your dog bite case and help in navigating our state’s dog bite laws, contact Furman | Honick Law for a free consultation. Our team can assess the details and pursue the maximum compensation on your behalf.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite
After surviving a dog bite, you may face a range of personal injuries, extensive medical treatment, and significant expenses. Navigating a dog bite injury claim alone can be difficult, especially when dealing with the dog’s owner, local animal control department, and insurance companies.
Here are key reasons why hiring a Baltimore dog bite lawyer is essential:
Understanding Dog Bite Liability and Maryland Law
Maryland’s strict liability rules hold dog owners accountable for injuries caused by their pets, but there are exceptions.
An experienced dog bite attorney understands Maryland dog bite law and general negligence laws, helping you assess if the dog’s owner was responsible and if they exercised reasonable care.
They gather evidence to establish liability in your personal injury case.
Building a Strong Dog Bite Case
Dog bite cases require thorough documentation of your injuries and the circumstances of the attack. A personal injury lawyer helps build a strong case by collecting medical records, witness statements, and any records from animal control officers who may have responded to the incident.
This process helps demonstrate the owner’s negligence, especially if the dog was dangerous or if the owner knew of prior aggressive behavior.
Dealing with insurance companies and dog bite claims
Insurance companies often aim to reduce payouts in dog bite claims, minimizing the compensation for dog bite victims. A skilled dog bite lawyer negotiates with insurers, so you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
They handle these discussions, pressing for enough compensation to cover your medical bills, lost income, and the pain and suffering caused by the attack.
Managing legal deadlines and procedures
Baltimore dog bite cases are subject to specific deadlines and procedures. Missing these deadlines could jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.
An experienced dog bite lawyer ensures that all necessary documents are filed promptly, meeting court requirements and keeping your claim on track. This allows you to focus on recovery without the stress of managing a legal process.
Maximizing compensation for severe injuries
Dog bite injuries can be long-lasting, requiring ongoing medical care and, in severe cases, surgeries or therapy. A personal injury attorney evaluates the full impact of the attack, including long-term treatment needs and psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
By calculating both immediate and future damages, they maximize your compensation to support your complete recovery.
If you or a loved one were injured in a dog attack, reaching out to a Baltimore dog bite lawyer can make a significant difference in your claim.
Contact Furman | Honick Law for a free consultation to discuss your options and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact Furman | Honick Law Today
Dog bites can cause severe and even fatal injuries. If a dog owner’s negligence has injured you, you need to ensure you get adequate compensation for your damages.
Seek legal help from Furman | Honick Law. Our Baltimore personal injury lawyers will assess your case inside and out and help you get the justice you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, complete our online form or call (410) 844-6000.