Virginia Animal Bite Attorneys Pursue Compensation for Victims
Proven litigators assists people injured by dog bites
Getting bitten by a dog or attacked in some other way by someone else’s pet is no laughing matter. Nearly one million Americans require medical treatment for dog bites annually. At Pikrallidas & Probasco, our lawyers represent clients from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. who have been hurt by dogs, cats and other animals owned by someone else. Whether you suffered severe facial abrasions after being scratched by a cat, broke a bone when a dog jumped on you or experienced a different type of injury caused by a pet belonging to someone else, we can help. Our firm has offices in Fairfax, Manassas, Centreville and Front Royal to serve clients in northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley and across the area. We will give your personal injury claim the seriousness it deserves and press for a settlement or verdict that fairly compensates you for medical costs, lost income, permanent disfigurement and pain and suffering resulting from the attack.
Legal standards for animal bite claims in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
A defendant’s potential liability for an animal bite claim depends on where the incident took place. Virginia employs what is sometimes referred to as the “one bite rule” in these cases. This means that the owner of a dog or some other type of pet must have acted negligently to be held legally liable for the harm caused by their animal. Someone might be legally on notice that their pet is dangerous if they have attacked someone previously or if their dog is from a breed known to be aggressive.
On the other hand, Washington, D.C. uses the strict liability standard in personal injury cases arising from animal bites. Under this rule, defendants are responsible for injury damages caused by their pets even if they had no reason to believe that their animal posed a threat. However, a pet owner could defeat a dog bite claim if they show that the victim provoked the attack in some way.
Injuries caused by dog bites and other animal attacks
Certain individuals who are bitten by dogs or who suffer another type of pet attack require medical treatment for cuts, bruises or broken bones. The situation can be much more serious if an animal did not have its rabies shots, which could require an extensive course of treatment for the victim. In extreme circumstances, catastrophic injuries result from bites, scratches and knockdowns. Some individuals are left with scars that will not heal after someone else’s pet gets out of control. No matter what type of harm you’ve suffered, our firm delivers aggressive advocacy in lawsuits against the animal’s owner. Frequently, harmful dog bites occur where the pet lives, and our experience with premises liability litigation helps us deal with homeowners’ insurance companies that might be contesting the claim.
Contact a Virginia attorney for a free consultation to discuss an animal bite claim
Pikrallidas & Probasco pursues compensation for victims of animal bites in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. To make an appointment for a free initial consultation, please call 703-267-2600 or contact us online. Our northern Virginia offices are located in Fairfax, Manassas and Centreville, with a Shenandoah Valley location in Front Royal. Hablamos español.
