While you might think that dog bites are limited to cartoons involving mail delivery persons, this is not the case, as dog bites in the real world are very common, and can cause very serious injury. If you have been injured by a dog bite, you could be entitled to compensation for the costs associated with your injury. Whether or not you are able to collect, or must cover costs out of your own pocket, will depend upon how well your claim is put together and negotiated, as we’ll explore below.
To discuss your dog bite injury with one of the experienced personal injury attorneys from Tiano O’Dell PLLC, reach out to us, and read on to learn more.
You Could be Entitled to Compensation for Your Damages from the Dog Bite
When you have been injured by a dog bite, you could be entitled to coverage for your related costs and damages under a special West Virginia statute, or due to the negligence in some form of the dog owner. However, in West Virginia there is a unique limitation in the dog bite statute: it only applies to dogs running at large.
The way in which the law applies to the unique circumstances of your injury will determine what options for compensation are available to you. By working with an experienced dog bite attorney, you can rest-assured that the facts will be carefully analyzed, and the best possible claim put together on
your behalf.
West Virginia Dog Bite Law is Complex and Somewhat Confusing
When it comes time to build a claim or case to collect compensation for the damages associated with your dog bite injury, the laws in West Virginia are a bit complex. Accurately applying the law to the unique facts and circumstances of your dog bite injury will determine whether or not you are able to collect compensation. Under West Virginia Code Sec. 19-20-13, titled “Dog Running at Large: Liability of Owner”, it is clarified that “any owner or keeper of any dog who permits such dog to run at large shall be liable for any damages inflicted upon the person or property of another by such dog while so running at large.”
While this would seem to state that only dogs who are allowed to run free by their owners can bite others the have their owners liable, West Virginia courts have clarified this. When a dog owner knows that their dog poses a danger of biting to others, and you are bitten by said dog, the owner may be liable. If the owner broke laws, or engaged in negligent behavior concerning the dog, they may also be liable for damages.
Connect with a Morgantown Dog Bite Attorney to Discuss Your Case
Collecting what you are entitled to requires that you fully understand West Virginia dog bite statute and caselaw, then apply this to your claim. To speak with one of our highly experienced dog bite attorneys, schedule a consultation or call (304) 915-0823 to explore options on your case.