Understanding Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Ohio, it is important to know that the law protects you and your family. Dog bites can cause serious injuries, and these injuries can lead to substantial long-term costs. Fortunately, under Ohio law, victims and their families can recover just compensation with the help of an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer in many cases.

1. Ohio’s “Strict Liability” Law for Dog Bites

Ohio is among the limited number of states that has adopted a “strict liability” law for dog bites. This means that if you, your child or another family member has been bitten by a dog in Ohio, the dog’s owner is automatically liable without proof of negligence. This strict liability law also applies to “keepers” and “harborers”—including pet sitters, landlords who are aware of aggressive dogs, and other third parties.

2. Ohio’s Exceptions to Strict Liability for Dog Bites

While Ohio’s strict liability law applies in most cases, there are some exceptions. For example, the law states that strict liability doesn’t apply if the victim was teasing or tormenting the dog before it attacked. Strict liability also doesn’t apply in cases involving trespassing and certain other types of criminal activity on the dog owner’s property.

3. Ohio’s Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims

When you have a claim under Ohio’s dog bite law, you have up to six years to assert your legal rights in most cases. If a child is under 18 when he or she gets bitten, this six-year “limitations period” starts to run on the child’s 18th birthday. But, Ohio’s two-year personal injury statute of limitations can apply to certain types of claims; and, in any case, it is best to speak with a Columbus dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.

Your Rights (and Responsibilities) After a Dog Attack in Ohio

With these laws in mind, what are your rights (and responsibilities) after a dog bite in Ohio? Your rights and responsibilities after a dog attack include:

• You have the right to hold the dog’s owner (or “keeper” or “harborer”) accountable.
• You have the right to full compensation for the long-term financial and non-financial costs of the attack.
• You have the responsibility to take the first step toward asserting your (or your family’s) legal rights.
• You have the responsibility to take legal action before the statute of limitations expires.
• You have the right to hire a Columbus dog bite lawyer to seek just compensation on your behalf–and to do so at no out-of-pocket cost.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer

If you need to know more about Ohio’s dog bite laws or your legal rights after a dog attack in Columbus, we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm as soon as possible, call 888-444-7440 or request an appointment online today.