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CONTACT HYATT & GOLDBLOOM
Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer In Baltimore, MD
Dog attacks are usually caused by the negligence of pet owners rather than by chance. In Maryland, it is every dog owner’s responsibility to take appropriate actions to prevent their dogs from causing harm or injury. If a dog has bitten you in Maryland, seek assistance and advice from our knowledgeable Baltimore dog bite lawyer. Hyatt & Goldbloom has been fighting for the injured people of Baltimore for over 30 years. We routinely represent those injured in animal attacks and offer free consultations to learn more about how we can help.
What To Do After A Dog Bites You In Maryland
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Maryland, our skilled Baltimore dog bite injury lawyer specializing in these types of injuries is available to assist you. Hyatt & Goldbloom has handled numerous cases similar to yours and is prepared to offer straightforward guidance on how to proceed. If you’ve been injured by a dog, it’s advised to do the following:
Call The Police
Having a police officer at the site where your dog bit you can help you create an official record and obtain an important police report. This report can be crucial in seeking compensation for your dog bite.
Obtain The Owner’s Name And Contact Information
When filing a claim, make sure to obtain the complete name, address, and phone number of the dog owner, as well as any witnesses who can offer help or testimony. It is also important to ask whether their pet is up-to-date on their rabies vaccination since treating rabies requires a costly and uncomfortable series of shots that must be given by a healthcare professional over several appointments.
Take Detailed Photographs
To build a strong case, gather the right information and take photos of your dog, the attack, and the aftermath. Take pictures that clearly show any injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, or bite marks on your body, torn clothing, and the location of the incident. The more factual evidence you have, the more powerful your claim will be in any legal battle. Remember that knowledge is power, so make sure you are well-equipped to support your case.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If a dog bites you, don’t take it lightly. Get medical help immediately by calling 911 or going to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Make sure to clean, disinfect, and stitch the wound as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. Failure to follow this advice may result in further complications with your injury, so don’t delay in taking these precautions.
Document Everything
In order to receive compensation, specifically for pain and suffering, it’s crucial to provide a detailed description of the dog bite incident. This will guarantee that any non-monetary damages are properly assessed in court. You can track your physical and emotional pain, treatments undergone for recovery, and other related information by maintaining a journal each day. Your journal entries can be used as evidence to support any legal cases in the future, even if it takes months or years. They will be useful to help you remember important details during future legal proceedings.
Call A Baltimore Dog Bite Lawyer
It’s important to take action after a dog attack. Hiring an experienced Baltimore dog bite lawyer who specializes in these cases can help protect your rights. You may be facing medical bills, pain, and even the possibility of losing your job due to the injury. The laws in Maryland can help you recover some of these losses but dog bite cases can be complicated. A knowledgeable Maryland personal injury attorney can assist you through this difficult process to ensure that you receive justice.
Most Common Dog Bite Injuries In Maryland
Our Baltimore dog bite lawyers often encounter clients who have suffered injuries from unleashed and overly enthusiastic dogs, even if they were not bitten. These injuries can vary in severity, but the most common ones involve:
- Facial injuries (common in children)
- Lacerations and bruising
- Broken bones from being knocked down
- Extremity amputation (e.g., fingers, etc.)
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Crush injuries caused by extreme bite force
- Wounds that lead to wrongful death
If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a dog bite, get in touch with us at Hyatt & Goldbloom right away. We’ll evaluate your case for free and only charge fees if we’re successful in obtaining damages for your injuries. Our dog bite lawyer in Baltimore is well-versed in personal injury law and has dealt with dog bite cases before. We’ll fight for your rights and provide legal advice and assistance as needed.
Maryland’s Strict Liability Dog Injury Law
In Maryland, if a dog causes any injuries or damages to property, its owner will be held responsible by default.
- The attacking dogs were at large, or
- The owners can’t rebut the presumption that they knew or should have known that their dogs had vicious or dangerous propensities.
Maryland’s law regarding dog injuries includes injuries caused by dogs, not just those resulting from dog bites. This means that owners can be sued for injuries and damages if their unleashed dog knocked someone down and caused injury, such as a broken tailbone. It’s important to note that dog owners are not responsible for injuries caused by their dogs if the injured person was:
- Trespassing or attempting to trespass on the owner’s property
- Committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against any person or on the property of the owner, or
- Teasing, tormenting, abusing, or provoking the dog.
Negligent Dog Owners’ Liability in Maryland
If someone in Maryland is hurt by a dog, they have two legal options. They can either bring a case under the state’s strict liability law or file a negligence claim. To win a negligence claim, the injured person usually needs to demonstrate that:
- The dog owner had a duty to take reasonable care to control the dog
- The dog owner violated that duty, and
- The violation caused the injured person harm.
Dog Bite Injury Statistics
The CDC reports that in the US, around 4.7 million dog bites happen every year, and nearly 800,000 of those bites require medical treatment. Below are some more shocking stats related to dog bite injuries:
- Children are more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog, and are also more likely to be severely injured.
- About half of all dog bite injuries occur in children under the age of 12.
- Dog bites are more common among males than females.
- The most common breeds involved in fatal dog attacks are pit bulls and rottweilers, but it’s important to note that any dog can bite and cause injury.
- Dog bites can result in a range of injuries, from minor scratches and bruises to severe wounds and infections.
- Infections are a common complication of dog bites and can be caused by bacteria in the dog’s saliva or on its skin.
- About 1 in 5 dog bites require medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Medical Treatment For A Dog Bite Cost?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality conducted a research study that unveiled the shocking medical costs incurred by dog bite victims. The findings were particularly problematic, with some frightening statistics revealing the following:
- On average, it costs $18,200 for a hospital stay related to injuries from dog bites. This is about 50 percent more expensive than hospital stays for other types of injuries.
- On a daily basis, dog bites lead to an average of 870 emergency room visits and 25 hospitalizations.
- The US Centers for Disease Control reports that every year, about 4.5 million people get bitten by dogs. Such bites can cause deep cuts and nerve damage, leading to severe pain. Additionally, victims are at risk of developing an infection, which can result in serious illness or even death due to the severity of the dog bite.
- Children under the age of 10 had the highest rate of emergency room visits for dog bites. Five to nine-year-old children had almost 200 visits per 100,000 and those under five had 175 visits per 100,000.
- The most common injuries that lead to hospitalization after a dog bite are skin and tissue infections; open wounds to the hands, feet, head, neck, and torso; and, broken bones in the upper extremities.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered After A Dog Bite In Maryland?
Our Baltimore dog bite lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom recognizes that each case of a dog bite is unique. Therefore, we believe that victims of dog bites in Maryland deserve fair compensation for all damages suffered. Our legal team can pursue payment for:
- The message is already clear and does not require any further improvement.
- Treating mental health issues that may arise from a dog bite, particularly when the victim is a child, is often an expense in dog bite injury cases.
- Lost earnings from the victim or a caregiver missing work while the bite heals
- The value of vacation time or sick leave used while missing work
- Any loss of future earnings or earning opportunities caused by the bite
- Bite-related scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Dog Bite Injury In Maryland?
The legal responsibility for a dog bite accident in Maryland can be complicated, but Hyatt & Goldbloom can investigate your claim and determine who is accountable. Various factors such as local laws and the circumstances of the attack can come into play, and any of these parties could potentially owe damages. Liable parties in a dog bite accident often include the following:
- The Dog’s Owner
- Someone Who “Kept or Harbored” The Dog
- The Dog Owner’s Landlord
Contact Our Baltimore Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Victims of animal attacks often face several challenges. They may worry about medical expenses, lost income due to missing work, and difficulty seeking justice against irresponsible animal owners. Emotional scars from the incident may last for years or even decades, even if physical injuries from the attack are not permanent.
Even if a dog has never shown violent behavior, you could still receive compensation in Maryland if you have been harmed by it. The state is serious about addressing any kind of damage caused and past history will not be ignored. If you have suffered an injury from a dog attack in Maryland, get in touch with our experienced Baltimore dog bite lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom for a free consultation and to find out how they can assist you.