Did a dog bite you in an apartment building or a similar complex? If so, you may be able to sue the landlord of the dog owner whose dog bit you. This is because the landlord may be a harborer of the dog (an individual who permitted the dog to remain on a premise they are responsible for).
If this is the case, the landlord may be liable for your injuries. During a free consultation with a team member, our firm can evaluate your case and help you decide how to proceed.
Can a Landlord Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite?
In some circumstances, a landlord may be held responsible for a dog bite incident if the landlord is a harborer of the dog. A harborer is anyone who permits or allows any animal, like a dog, to habitually remain on a premise they own and operate, like the common area of an apartment complex.
For instance, if your apartment building landlord allowed another resident’s dog to remain in the property’s common areas controlled by the landlord, your landlord might be considered a harborer. In this situation, if the dog bit you, the landlord may be held responsible for the incident and your damages, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28.
However, it may be difficult to prove your landlord’s liability. To do so, you or a lawyer must prove the landlord was, in fact, a harborer and that the incident occurred in a common area of your complex. A common area is an area under a landlord’s control, like a parking lot.
When a Landlord May Not Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite
When a dog bite happens in a building area that isn’t a common area, like a resident’s suite, the landlord may not be liable for the incident. In such a case, the dog owner may be liable. Each case is different and the specific facts must be examined.
Can You Sue Someone If Their Dog Bites You?
You may be able to sue a resident dog owner if their dog bites you in an area of your complex that isn’t a common area. The dog owner is responsible for keeping their fellow residents safe from the dog, so, if the dog bites you, the dog owner can be held liable for the incident and your injuries.
A lawyer from our firm can help you determine who is responsible for your injuries and whether you can sue them.
How Much Can I Sue for in a Dog Bite Case?
You can choose to file a claim or a lawsuit against the other party and demand to be compensated for your injuries. The amount of money you can demand depends on your injuries and other damages you’ve incurred. To help you identify and valuate your damages, your lawyer can refer to experts, like a medical expert.
You may be eligible to collect both economic (financial) and non-economic (physical, mental, and emotional) damages, such as:
- Clinic/hospital costs, like the costs of cleaning and treating your injuries
- Emergency care expenses
- Surgery expenses
- Rehabilitation costs (like physical therapy expenses)
- Temporary losses in income
- Any loss in your ability to earn income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How Will a Lawyer Help Me With My Dog Bite Case?
In addition to determining liability for your dog bite incident and what your damages may be, your lawyer can also:
- Communicate with the other party for you
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Help prove the other party’s negligence
- File your claim or lawsuit for you
- Negotiate with the other party, their insurer, and their lawyer(s) on your behalf
- Fight for you in court if the other party doesn’t offer a fair settlement
Also, your lawyer will help you meet any statute that may apply in your case. If you want to sue the responsible party, generally speaking, you’ll have two years from the date of your incident to file a personal injury lawsuit, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10.
We’ve Helped Many People With Their Personal Injury Cases
Mr. Fitch has over 30 years of personal injury experience, and during this time, he has helped many people like you with their claims and lawsuits.
You can be confident in the capabilities of our attorneys, and you can be sure your attorney will do their best to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC Today for a Free Consultation
By calling us today, you’ll allow our team to meet any statute that applies in your case. You’ll also allow us to start building your case right away so we can make it as strong as possible. When you call us, we’ll tell you more about our attorneys and invite you for a free consultation. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your case and advise you on how to proceed.
Call us at (614) 545-3930 to discuss your dog bite case with a caring team member.