Dog bites can cause painful injuries, and they can lead to expensive medical bills and other costs. As a result, filing a claim for just compensation is often a critical step in the recovery process. Ohio law entitles dog bite victims to compensation for their pain and suffering, medical bills, and other injury-related losses in most cases, and hiring an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer affords the best chance to recover the compensation you deserve.
So, if you need to file a claim for a dog bite in Ohio, what should you do? Here is an overview of the key steps for protecting your legal rights.
5 Steps to File a Claim for a Dog Bite in Ohio
1. Make Note of Where the Attack Happened
When filing a claim for a dog bite, one of the most important pieces of information is where the attack happened. While dog owners are legally responsible for attacks in most cases (and most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies provide coverage for dog bite claims), kennels, veterinary offices, landlords, and various other parties can potentially be responsible as well. Knowing where the attack took place will provide important insight into who (or what business) is liable for your injuries.
2. Write Down Anything Else You Recall from the Attack
In addition to making note of where the attack happened, you should also write down anything else you recall from the attack. What were you doing? Where did the dog come from? Was the dog’s owner present? Did anyone witness the attack or offer to help afterward? These are all potentially important details for your claim.
3. Seek Medical Treatment Promptly
It is important to seek medical treatment promptly after suffering any type of traumatic injury. But, this is especially important with a dog bite due to the risk of infection. We can refer you to a doctor who has experience treating dog bite victims in the Columbus area.
4. Learn More about Your Situation
While you don’t need to become an expert on Ohio’s dog bite laws, it can be helpful to learn more about your situation. For an overview of some important information for dog bite victims in Ohio, you can read:
5. Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
Finally, you will want to schedule a free initial consultation with a Columbus dog bite lawyer. It is inadvisable to try to handle your situation on your own for a variety of reasons, and you can hire an experienced lawyer to represent you at no out-of-pocket cost.
If you need to know more about filing a claim for a dog bite in Ohio, we encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free initial consultation with a Columbus dog bite lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm, please call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can contact you online today.