Laurel Dog Bite Attorney to Help You Recover Compensation 

Dog attacks are in the news frequently, and we have become increasingly aware of just how serious they can be, often resulting in life-threatening injuries. If you have been injured in a dog attack, the dog’s owner should be held accountable for your injuries and other losses. An experienced Laurel dog bite attorney can help you pursue a claim to get the compensation you need. 

Our Laurel Dog Bite Lawyer Explains Maryland’s Dog Bite Laws 

Maryland’s dog bite laws are complex. Generally speaking, Maryland is a “strict liability” jurisdiction. This means that you do not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent in some way. That said, the law explicitly states that if the dog causes injury or death, it creates a “rebuttable presumption” that the “owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities.” 

This requires some explanation. A rebuttable presumption is when an assumption can be overcome if the other party proves otherwise. As a result, the dog’s owner may be able to avoid liability if they can prove that they had no knowledge or no reason to know that the dog would attack you. 

On the other hand, the answer is different if the dog was “running at large.” In that situation, the dog owner is strictly liable for any injury, death, or other loss without the rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known the dog would attack. However, there are some exceptions to this rule as well. The dog’s owner may not be held liable if: 

• You were trespassing or committing some other criminal offense on the owner’s property;
• You were committing a criminal offense against any person; or
• You were teasing or otherwise provoking the dog. 

Many people assume that their case will be easy to prove since Maryland is a strict liability state. As you can see, however, the law in Maryland is pretty complicated. A Laurel dog bite attorney can help you build the strongest possible case so that you can get the compensation you deserve. 

Possible Dog Attack Injuries 

If a dog has attacked you, you may be entitled to compensation for more than just the bite wounds. Children and the elderly are especially at risk of serious injuries beyond bite wounds in the event of a dog attack. Getting attacked by a dog often results in the following injuries in addition to puncture wounds and lacerations caused by dog bites: 

• Broken bones
• Head and neck injuries, including concussions
• Torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles

Your injuries may require extensive medical treatment, including plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and physical therapy. In addition to your physical injuries, many dog attack victims also suffer extensive psychological and emotional trauma in the form of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, seeking compensation is critical to making a full recovery. Experienced dog and animal attack lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to regain your health and rebuild your life. 

Is it Worth It to Sue After a Dog Bite?

Most people who suffer a serious injury tend to focus almost exclusively on their medical expenses. Unfortunately, many dog attack victims may suffer losses that extend far beyond their medical bills. Of course, if you don’t have health insurance, the medical bills alone could leave you financially crippled. A Laurel dog bite attorney can help you seek compensation for the following losses: 

• Your medical expenses. These include any losses not covered by insurance, including deductibles and copays. 
• Your lost wages. You may have to miss a significant amount of time at work to get the treatment you need. In some cases, your injuries may leave you unable to work at all for an extended period of time. If your injuries result in permanent disabilities, you may also be entitled to future lost wages.
• Your pain and suffering. Under the law, you are entitled to be made whole, which includes compensation for your physical pain and mental anguish that you have suffered due to your injuries. 

The sad reality is that most non-lawyers are unable to successfully pursue a claim or settle their claims for far less than they are worth. If you have been injured in a dog attack, you need an aggressive Laurel dog bite attorney to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. 

Contact Laurel Dog Bite Attorney Thomas E. Pyles   

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, Laurel dog bite attorney Thomas E. Pyles can help. Mr. Pyles has decades of experience in helping injured people across the state of Maryland get the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation, contact the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles by calling 301-705-5006 today.