Dog Bite Lawyer in Washington, DC
Dog owners in the District of Columbia can be held legally responsible for any injuries their dog causes to another person. Getting bitten by a dog can result in emotional trauma and severe injuries that may require prolonged medical treatment. In addition to the physical and emotional impact of a dog bite, victims must also deal with expensive emergency treatment and lost wages. If you have been attacked by a dog, our dog bite lawyers in Washington, DC can help you file a lawsuit for financial compensation.
Our law firm provides professional legal representation to residents living in the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia areas. In an effort to help DC dog bite victims learn what their rights are, Dash Injury Law Firm offers a free consultation. There is no obligation, and the consultation can help injured individuals better understand how it is possible to achieve justice.
Dog Bite Laws in Washington, DC
There are no specific statutes regarding dog bites in DC. However, there are laws that dictate how dog owners should supervise and control their dogs. According to DC § 8–1808, dog owners should not let their animals “go at large” and if their dog injures someone while at large, the lack of knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior will not protect them from a dog bite lawsuit in Washington DC. Several states use the “one bite rule” in which dog owners can be held strictly liable for a dog bite only if they were previously aware of the dog’s violent tendencies.
A successful dog bite lawsuit in DC will have to show negligence displayed by the dog owner. This includes four elements of dog owner negligence:
- Duty of Care - The dog owner had the legal duty to supervise and control their dog.
- Breach of Duty - The dog owner failed to uphold their duty of care and did not control their dog.
- Causation - The dog owner’s failure to exercise reasonable care resulted in the victim’s injury.
- Damages - The dog injured a victim and the victim suffered damages.
The types of damages a victim can claim in a Washington, DC dog bite lawsuit include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations for DC Dog Bite Lawsuits
The statute of limitations is a law that limits the amount of time a dog bite victim has to file a lawsuit in court after the incident. In DC, personal injury victims have three years from the date of their injuries to file a lawsuit. It is important to note that each case is different and the specific facts of your case may affect how the statute of limitations is applied. Failing to file a dog bite lawsuit in Washington, DC before the deadline expires will prevent you from recovering any compensation. Our legal team can help you meet this deadline and examine the specifics our your case.
Get Help From a Lawyer
The CDC has reported that millions of people suffer dog bites each year. If you have suffered a dog bite due to the negligence of a dog owner, our experienced DC dog bite lawyers can help you hold them legally responsible.
We will evaluate the severity of your damages, including any long-term health issues you may have to deal with, and the amount of income you may lose as a result of your injuries. Our dog bite lawyers in Washington, DC will fight for the maximum amount of compensation you are owed. If your case is not settled outside of court, we are fully prepared to take your lawsuit through the legal system.
A successful lawsuit will not only help you personally, but it will also help your community by requiring the dog owner to adhere to laws and correct the negligent actions that led to the dog bite.
Contact Our Washington, DC Dog Bite Lawyers
Call Dash Injury Law Firm today at 888-(DASH-LAW) or complete an online contact form for a free consultation.
The information contained in these pages should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice and it is in fact not legal advice, especially as to cases which are highly fact-specific.