Dogs may be one of the most popular pets in the country, but there are times when dogs bite people and cause severe injuries. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our team is here to help if you need a Courtland, Virginia dog bite accident attorney. We have years of experience helping injury victims throughout Virginia recover the compensation they need, and we understand how Commonwealth dog bite laws apply to these cases. Let us help you get onto the best path for recovery from these injuries.
The Commonwealth of Virginia applies a “one bite” rule to dog bite injury cases. What this means is that a dog’s owner will only be held liable for injuries if the owner knew that the dog had a propensity for aggression. This is called the “one bite” rule because, generally, the only way a dog owner would know that their pet was potentially dangerous is by showing that the dog had already bitten at least one other person in the past. However, injury victims in these cases are allowed to present other types of evidence that would show that the owner knew or should have known that their dog was aggressive.
The “one bite” rule is different than how some other states handle these issues. Other areas around the country use a “strict liability” approach to dog bite cases, which means that dog owners are responsible for any injuries caused by their dog biting somebody, regardless of whether or not the dog has ever been anybody before.
The reality is that a dog bite can lead to severe injuries for the victim. Dogs have incredibly powerful jaws, and it is not uncommon for a single attack to result in multiple bites. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., it is not unusual for our dog bite injury lawyers in Courtland to help clients who have sustained the following:
Recovering from dog bite injuries often necessitates significant medical care. In some cases, victims will need surgery in order to repair the damage and/or restore the appearance of the part of their body affected.
The Commonwealth of Virginia does set a timeline for when these claims have to be filed in court. The Virginia personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. If a dog bite injury victim fails to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner within this two-year timeframe, they will lose the ability to recover the compensation they need.
If you or somebody you love has been bitten by a dog in or around the Courtland area, reach out to the team at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. for help as soon as possible. We have extensive experience handling complex injury claims throughout Virginia, and we want to make sure that you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Courtland, Virginia, dog bite injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.
