Dog Bite Lawyer in Cincinnati
Dog owners in Ohio are strictly liable for the injuries their pets cause. If you were bitten in Cincinnati, seek medical attention and contact a Cincinnati dog bite lawyer at Young, Reverman & Bolotin immediately to protect your rights.
Dog attacks are traumatic, especially when the victim is a child. A single bite can lead to lasting physical and emotional scars. Our attorneys have more than 50 years of experience standing up for injury victims across Hamilton County, from apartment complexes in Hyde Park to parks and neighborhoods throughout Clifton, Over-the-Rhine, and Mount Airy.
We understand the medical, financial, and psychological toll a dog attack can cause. Whether your injuries required emergency treatment at UC Medical Center or ongoing care for infection, nerve damage, or scarring, our firm will help you recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call (513) 400-0000 for a free consultation.
Do You Have a Dog Bite Claim in Cincinnati?
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog in Cincinnati, you may have a valid injury claim under Ohio’s strict-liability dog bite statute. That law holds dog owners, and anyone who keeps or harbors the dog, responsible for the harm their animal causes, even if it’s never bitten anyone before.
You don’t need to prove negligence to recover damages. Your attorney only needs to show that the dog caused your injuries and that you weren’t trespassing or provoking it.
Dog bite claims involving children are especially sensitive. Ohio courts recognize that kids often don’t understand how to safely interact with animals. A child may tug on a dog’s tail, reach for its food, or startle it without realizing the risk. In most cases, this behavior isn’t considered teasing, tormenting, or abusing the animal under Ohio law, so the family can still pursue compensation.
If your son or daughter was bitten, we can help you recover damages for medical care, pain and suffering, and the emotional trauma your child experienced.
Our Cincinnati dog bite lawyers at Young, Reverman & Bolotin will investigate the attack, gather witness statements, and work with medical experts to prove the full impact of your injuries.
What Types of Injuries Qualify for a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Any dog bite or attack that causes physical injury, infection, scarring, or emotional trauma may qualify for a personal injury claim in Cincinnati. Even minor bites can lead to serious complications that require medical care and justify compensation.
Dog bites range from small puncture wounds to catastrophic injuries requiring surgery. You may have a valid case if you experienced any of the following.
- Puncture wounds or lacerations: Even shallow bites can tear skin and muscle, increasing infection risk.
- Scarring or disfigurement: Facial bites, especially in children, often require reconstructive surgery and lead to long-term emotional harm.
- Nerve or tendon damage: Deep bites to the hands, arms, or legs can limit mobility or cause chronic pain.
- Infections: Dog saliva can transmit Pasteurella, MRSA, Capnocytophaga, and other bacteria that cause dangerous infections.
- Psychological trauma: Victims, particularly children, may develop PTSD, nightmares, or anxiety around animals after an attack.
- Fatal injuries: In rare cases, severe mauling can lead to wrongful death claims against the owner or property insurer.
Even if you didn’t require hospitalization, your injuries still have legal weight if they caused pain, scarring, missed work, or emotional distress. An experienced Cincinnati dog bite lawyer at our firm will review your medical records and determine whether your case meets Ohio’s strict-liability standard.
Call us (513) 400-0000 to find out if you have a dog bite injury case. The consult is free.
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Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Ohio?
Dog owners, keepers, and harborers are liable for injuries their animals cause. The responsible party does not need to be present when the attack occurs to be held liable for injuries. In practical terms, several parties can share legal responsibility in a Cincinnati dog bite case.
Dog owner: The person who owns or registers the animal is automatically responsible for the injuries.
Keeper or handler: Anyone temporarily in control of the dog, such as a pet sitter, dog walker, or friend or neighbor, can be held liable if the bite occurred under their supervision.
Harborer or property owner: Landlords or homeowners who allow a dangerous dog to live on their property may also be liable if they knew the animal posed a risk.
Parents of minor owners: When a minor owns the dog, parents or guardians can be named in the lawsuit.
Our lawyers investigate each case to identify every party who may share liability. Then we look at the sources of recovery that may be available. This might include homeowners insurance, a business or their insurance, or a pet liability policy.
How Much Is a Dog Bite Case Worth?
Most Cincinnati dog bite settlements range from $30,000 to over $100,000, depending on the severity of the injuries, scarring, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Serious or permanent injuries, especially those involving children, can lead to much higher compensation.
The value of your claim depends on factors such as:
- Extent of the injuries – deep wounds, nerve damage, or disfigurement raise case value.
- Medical treatment costs – emergency care, plastic surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income – time away from work or reduced future earning ability.
- Emotional distress – trauma, PTSD, and anxiety around dogs.
- Liability evidence – whether the dog had a prior history of aggression.
In some cases, victims can also recover punitive damages when the owner acted recklessly or ignored known dangers.
At Young, Reverman & Bolotin, our injury lawyers use medical records, expert testimony, and insurance negotiation experience to calculate the true value of your case, not the lowball figure an adjuster offers.
Ready to find out what your claim may be worth? Call (513) 400-0000 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
After a dog attack, victims may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages include medical expenses, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and lost wages.
Non-economic damages cover pain, emotional trauma, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
If the dog’s owner acted recklessly, for example, ignored prior bite warnings or failed to secure a known aggressive animal, you may also qualify for punitive damages under Ohio law.
Our dog bite attorneys will gather your medical records, employment documentation, and expert evaluations to show how the attack has affected your life.
Ohio Dog Bite Law Explained
Ohio dog bite law makes dog owners, keepers, and harborers strictly liable for injuries their animals cause. That means you don’t have to prove the owner was negligent. Your lawyer only needs to show that the bite or attack occurred, and you were legally on the property.
Exceptions apply if the victim was trespassing, committing a crime, or intentionally provoking the dog.
In Hamilton County, these claims are typically filed in civil court and often involve the owner’s homeowner’s insurance. Reporting the attack to Cincinnati Animal Care and keeping medical documentation from UC Medical Center or Christ Hospital can strengthen your case.
Our Cincinnati injury law firm has handled Ohio dog bite claims for over 40 years, giving us deep insight into how local courts evaluate liability and damages. We regularly handle cases filed in Hamilton County Court and throughout Ohio. Our attorneys are members of the Ohio Association for Justice and have earned top client satisfaction ratings for results in personal injury claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Cases in Cincinnati
Who pays for dog bite injuries?
In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers medical bills, scarring, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the owner doesn’t have insurance, your attorney can explore other recovery options, such as a landlord’s policy or personal assets.
Can I sue a friend or family member if their dog bit me?
Yes. Dog bite claims are typically paid through insurance coverage, not directly by the individual. Filing a claim helps you recover compensation for your injuries without creating personal conflict.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Ohio?
You generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s best to contact a lawyer early so they can gather medical records and witness statements while evidence is still fresh.
What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Under Ohio’s strict-liability law, the dog’s bite history doesn’t matter. Owners, keepers, and harborers are automatically responsible for the harm caused by their animals unless the victim was trespassing, committing a crime, or provoking the dog.
Can I recover compensation for emotional trauma after a dog attack?
Absolutely. Many victims, especially children, develop anxiety, nightmares, or PTSD after being bitten. These emotional injuries are recognized under Ohio law and can be included in your claim for non-economic damages.
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Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Cincinnati, Florence, or Lawrenceburg?
For your convenience, our law firm has several law offices throughout the tri-state area.
