Can I sue the dog owner and the apartment complex?

Q: I was attacked by a dog in my apartment community. What are my legal options? Can I sue the dog owner and the apartment complex?

A: You may be able to take action against the owner if they have renter’s insurance. In order to establish liability on the part of a land owner (the complex) you would have to prove that they knew of the dog’s dangerous nature and prior attacks.


Settlements & Compensation

Typical damages that Virginia dog bite victims can receive compensation for include: pain and suffering, loss of earnings while unable to work, future loss of earnings if you cannot return to work, disfigurement – if the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, plastic surgery, and other medical expenses.

What We Suggest You Do if You’ve Been Attacked

  1. Seek medical attention. If you’ve been seriously injured, you should contact 911 immediately. Even if your wounds seem small, when bitten by any type of animal you run the risk of contracting rabies or a serious infection and you should consider seeing a medical professional. Having your injuries documented by a medical professional is important evidence for your case.
  2. Report the incident to local animal control, or emergency authorities. It is VERY important to have the incident officially documented and for information to be gathered concerning the dog owner.
  3. Take photos of your injuries. Make sure to take photos of your injuries as soon as you can, as well as pictures of the healing process. This may become important evidence to your case.
  4. Contact an Experienced Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer. If you were injured in a Virginia dog attack because of someone else’s negligence, you should consider contacting an experienced Virginia dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights.

Time Deadlines for Virginia Dog Bite Claims

In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. In many cases, Virginia provides a two-year deadline also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances apply and can alter that deadline.  It is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident to protect your rights.

Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers at the Serpe Firm

Our Virginia-based personal injury law firm handles dog bite and dog attack cases. Our attorneys know the rules, the regulations, and the laws surrounding dogs and dog attacks, and we know how to fight for you to recover the fair compensation that you may be owed. Nobody should have to suffer because a dog owner’s negligence.

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