Silver Spring Dog Bite Lawyers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.5 million dog bites happen in the U.S. every year. Every day, nearly 1,000 injured victims visit their local emergency rooms for urgent medical treatment, many of them children. Here in Montgomery County, over 1300 people were attacked by dogs in 2022, many of them suffering serious injuries.

A dog attack is an exceptionally frightening experience. It can leave permanent, life-altering injuries. Dogs can target the face, neck, limbs, and groin area, which means a high risk of disfigurement and serious injury. If you file a dog bite claim against the owner, you can address all of these damages.

After addressing immediate medical concerns, speak to a local dog bite attorney about moving forward with a claim to recover damages. If you reside in or near Silver Spring, you can call DuBoff & Associates, Chartered at 866-210-6821 and speak to an attorney that handles cases of this nature.

Why Hire Us for Your Dog Bite Claim in Silver Spring?

At DuBoff & Associates, Chartered, we’ve built our reputation on helping personal injury victims get the compensation they need. We’ve seen firsthand how a dog attack can inflict damage that stays with you for the rest of your life, and make it our mission to hold negligent dog owners accountable. When you hire us, you benefit from the following:

• Over 50 Years of Collective Experience: Because our attorneys have decades of experience in Maryland personal injury law, we know how insurers evaluate liability and how courts address disputes. This knowledge helps us overcome common challenges in these legal claims.
• Demonstrated Results: We’ve secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. Although no outcome is guaranteed, our personal injury lawyers always strive for fair compensation that reflects what you’ve suffered due to the animal attack.
• Tailored Case Strategies: When we prepare a dog bite claim, we’re thorough. We review medical records, investigate dog owner liability, and gather witness accounts to make your position as strong as possible. This preparation makes it more difficult for the owner and their insurance company to dispute fault.
• Strong Negotiation Skills: Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts in dog bite cases. Our personal injury lawyers know how to respond to any attempts to ‘delay, deny, or defend’ the claim and demand full financial compensation.
• Years of Litigation Experience: While negotiation resolves many claims, we prepare each dog bite case as though it will go to trial. That readiness gives us leverage in settlement discussions, as insurers know we’re willing to present the case to a jury.

Choosing the right firm for a dog bite claim means selecting lawyers who bring experience, results, and dedication to every case. If you’ve been injured by a dog, we’re ready to stand with you and pursue the compensation you need.

What does Maryland’s dog bite statute entail?

Maryland recently overhauled its dog bite statutes, making them much more victim-friendly. The new rules laid out in Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code § 3-1901, impose strict liability on the dog owner for victims’ damages if the dog was running around at large.

This means that if the dog was loose when it attacked, the owner is responsible for paying for any harm the dog causes. It does not matter whether the owner knew the dog had dangerous tendencies; the owner cannot use lack of knowledge of the dog’s aggressiveness as a defense. The very fact that it attacked and hurt someone proves it was dangerous.

Injured victims can also sue an owner based on the legal concept of negligence, but this avenue presents its own challenges. To pursue a personal injury claim based on negligence, you would have to show the owner did something unreasonable and negligent, and that the negligence led to the attack. Legal theories and dog bite statutes are difficult to navigate. Your lawyer will be able to advise you of how best to proceed with your case.

Note: Maryland’s statute of limitations on a dog bite case is three years, so be sure you get started on your case as soon as possible.

How a Silver Spring Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

The personal injury attorneys at DuBoff & Associates, Chartered know the ins and outs of dog bite laws and how to craft victims’ cases accordingly. We know how to establish liability, which types of evidence to compile, what the legal procedures and time limits are, and how to refute any defenses the dog owner may try to use against you.

There are usually two defenses dog owners try to use in court when a victim files a dog bite lawsuit:

1. They will either claim you were trespassing, or
2. They will say that you provoked the attack.

If they can prove either to be true, it can affect your rights to compensation. However, we will be able to see these types of defenses coming and be prepared with proof and arguments to support your dog bite case.

Lawyers can also negotiate with the homeowner’s insurance company to ensure you get the full settlement amount to which you are entitled. You will need clear and thorough evidence that proves the extent of your injuries and all the ways the attack has affected your life. We will be able to help you create a comprehensive list of damages and gather testimonies from field experts to illustrate your injuries. In this way, you have a much better chance of winning a full and fair settlement.

Financial Compensation in a Dog Bite Claim

Dog attack injuries may require extensive medical treatments, hospitalization, and multiple reconstructive surgeries, all of which can be costly. Victims also have to deal with a loss of income while recovering, which adds even more financial strain into the mix. These are some primary reasons it is important to look into your legal options as early as possible after the attack.

You can recover a wide range of damages in a dog bite claim (usually paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance company). Some of the things for which you can collect compensation include the following:

• Medical Expenses: Dog bite injuries can require emergency treatment, stitches, and antibiotics to prevent infection. In more severe cases, you may face hospital stays, reconstructive surgery, or ongoing medical care. Compensation for medical bills covers both the treatment you’ve already received and the care you’ll need in the future.
• Lost Wages: When injuries keep you from working, lost income adds stress to an already difficult situation. A personal injury claim can account for the paychecks you’ve missed during recovery. It can also address lost earning potential if your injuries affect your ability to work going forward.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Dog bites can leave scars or permanent marks. These injuries can impact your self-esteem and how you interact with others. Compensation for disfigurement and scarring acknowledges those lasting changes to your life.
• Physical and Occupational Therapy: After the initial wound heals, many victims need therapy to regain mobility or strength. Physical therapy can help restore movement, while occupational therapy teaches you to adjust if permanent limitations remain. These services are often expensive, but they’re a vital part of recovery.
• Counseling and Other Mental Health Treatments: A dog attack can leave emotional scars as well as physical ones. Victims may develop anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress that requires professional help. Compensation can cover counseling, therapy, and related mental health care.
• Pain and Suffering: Pain from a dog bite injury isn’t limited to the moment of the attack. Ongoing discomfort, restricted movement, and long recovery periods all affect your quality of life. Damages for pain and suffering account for these physical hardships.
• Mental Anguish: Living through a dog attack can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims may relive the incident or feel unsafe around animals. Compensation for mental anguish acknowledges this emotional harm.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When injuries prevent you from taking part in hobbies, sports, or daily activities, your enjoyment of life decreases. This category of damages recognizes the value of those lost experiences. It ensures that your claim reflects the ways your life has changed.

What to Do if You’ve Been Attacked by a Dog

Being attacked by a dog can be frightening and leave you with painful injuries. While it can be difficult to think clearly in such a situation, try to stay calm and take the following steps, all of which can protect your future personal injury claim.

• Get Medical Care Right Away: Even if a bite looks minor, you should seek medical attention quickly. Dog bites can cause infections, nerve damage, or other complications that may take time to develop. Prompt care also creates a record of your injuries, which is important if you pursue a claim.
• Report the Incident: Contact local animal control or law enforcement to file a report. Reporting the attack documents what happened and helps identify the dog and its owner. This step is important for public safety and for building your case.
• Identify the Dog and Owner: Gather as much information as possible about the dog and its owner. Names, addresses, and vaccination records can be important for both medical treatment and legal action. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
• Document Your Injuries: Take photographs of your wounds and any damage to your clothing. Keep records of medical visits, prescriptions, and follow-up care. Clear documentation shows the impact of the attack and supports your claim for compensation.
• Avoid Direct Contact with the Owner’s Insurance Company: The dog owner’s insurer may try to contact you. Avoid giving statements or signing documents without legal advice. Insurers look for ways to limit payouts, so speaking with an attorney first protects your rights.
• Contact a Silver Spring Dog Bite Lawyer: An experienced attorney can guide you through the claims process and pursue compensation for your injuries. They can assign a fair value to your claim and file a lawsuit on your behalf while you take time to recover.

Attacked by a Dangerous Dog? Call Our Skilled and Compassionate Lawyers

If you or your child recently suffered injuries in a dog attack in Silver Spring, we are here to help. Call DuBoff & Associates, Chartered today and discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney. The initial meeting is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we help you recover a settlement. Contact the Maryland law firm that cares today at 866-210-6821.