Helping You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries and Anguish After a Dog Bite that Wasn’t Your Fault.
Dog attacks can be incredibly traumatic experiences for the victims involved, often resulting in severe physical injuries, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. These incidents can occur unexpectedly and can have long-lasting effects on a victim’s quality of life. As a personal injury law firm serving Virginia Beach, we understand the devastating impact that these attacks can have on individuals and their families.
We have successfully settled a wide range of individuals, including children, delivery drivers, postal workers, joggers, pedestrians, and many others who have suffered from a Virginia Beach dog attack.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE LAWYER RICHARD SERPE
For over 37 years, Richard Serpe has helped personal injury victims seek the compensation they deserve. He’s earned a reputation as a well-respected, hard-working attorney with a tenacious approach to every case he takes on. Mr. Serpe has a track record of success in obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Best Lawyers® (2005 – Present); Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers (2020); Virginia Super Lawyer: (2006 – Present); Avvo.com : Rated 10/10 – “Superb”, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory: AV Preeminent rating (highest given).
DO YOU HAVE A VIRGINIA DOG BITE CASE?
If you were attacked by someone else’s dog and your injury required medical attention, you should consider contacting a Virginia dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your medical bills, disfigurement, scarring, plastic surgery, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial losses related to your injuries.
- Were you attacked by someone else’s dog?
- Did the dog attack cause physical injury?
- Did you see a doctor for your injuries?
- Did the dog attack occur in Virginia?
If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, consider a free consultation with our legal team to discuss your rights 757-233-0009.
AFTER A VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE OR ATTACK
- Get medical attention. If you are seriously injured, you should call 911 or seek help from a medical professional to protect your health. As far as personal injury claims go, having your injuries treated and documented by a medical professional will almost always be required.
- Report the incident. Any dog that has bitten or attacked someone is a risk to the health and safety of the public and should be reported. The dog will also need to be quarantined and monitored for rabies. Animal Control’s investigative report can be incredibly helpful to your case.
- Virginia Beach Animal Control: (757) 385-4444
- Consider contacting a lawyer. An experienced Virginia Beach dog bite attorney can do a thorough investigation into the dog owner, handle the insurance companies, and protect your right to fair compensation, while you focus on getting better.
COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITE AND ATTACK VICTIMS
Dog bite settlement amounts are based on many different factors. A major factor? Whether or not there is insurance and the policy limits. Policy limits often represent the ceiling for settlement negotiations. Beware, insurance companies will often make lowball settlement offers. A Virginia personal injury lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your Virginia Beach dog bite, the following may be included in your settlement.
- Pain and suffering: This is the right to compensation for your physical pain and mental anguish.
- Loss of Earnings: You may recover for the loss of earnings that you suffered from your injuries.
- Future Loss of Earnings: Your injuries are permanent and have affected your ability to earn income in the future.
- Scarring & Disfigurement: If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, the victim may be entitled to recovery for the disfigurement. Because these injuries are often in very visible places, victims are often very self-conscious of their appearance.
- Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery.
- Medical Bills: Damages include any sort of medical expenses that a victim has had to pay for at a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE AND ATTACK SETTLEMENTS
- $425 THOUSAND – Child attacked and bitten on face
- $130 THOUSAND – Child attacked and bitten on face, lip, and mouth
- $110 THOUSAND – Client sustained serious facial injuries
- $100 THOUSAND – Postal worker sustained serious knee injury
- $100 THOUSAND – FedEx delivery driver attacked
- $100 THOUSAND – Child viciously attacked by neighbor’s dog
- $80 THOUSAND – Child bitten on face
- $30 THOUSAND – Jogger bitten
UNDERSTANDING VIRGINIA DOG BITE LAWS
Virginia’s “One Bite” Rule
The “one bite” rule in Virginia aims to legally hold pet owners accountable for their dog’s violent behavior. Essentially, if a dog has previously bitten someone, the owner can be held liable for any damages caused by future attacks. For instance, if Fido’s owner was aware of the dog’s previous biting incident and failed to take preventative measures, they may be held responsible for any financial losses incurred by a subsequent victim. In other words, the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies creates a legal obligation to prevent future attacks.
Negligence Per Se
Owners negligent in controlling their dogs can be held accountable for any damages caused, even if the dog has no prior history of violence. If a victim can provide evidence that the owner failed to comply with the law and control their pet, they may be able to sue for compensation. For example, if a dog attacks someone at a Virginia Beach park where leashes are required, but the owner has allowed the dog to roam freely, the victim may have a valid claim. This is because the owner’s decision to disregard leash requirements demonstrates negligence on their part.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (DEADLINES)
In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a claim or 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 Virginia Beach dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE LAWYER
Hiring Virginia dog bite lawyer Richard Serpe at the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC is a crucial step for individuals who have experienced a serious dog bite or attack in Virginia Beach. With an unwavering commitment to representing victims of dog bites, Richard Serpe brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding such cases.
As a highly reputable attorney, he is known for his dedication to seeking justice and fair compensation for his clients. Richard Serpe possesses a wealth of knowledge in Virginia’s dog bite laws, allowing him to navigate the legal landscape with expertise.
Clients can trust his compassionate approach, as he strives to alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that often accompany dog bite incidents. Choosing Richard Serpe means securing a formidable advocate who will relentlessly pursue the best possible outcome for those who have suffered from a dog bite or attack in Virginia Beach.
Contact the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC for a free dog bite consultation at 757-233-0009.
VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE RESOURCES
Virginia Beach city code regarding dog bites and dog attacks contains many provisions regarding proper ownership of one’s pets. Here are a few regulations you should be aware of to keep yourself and others safe.
- Regulations on Dogs at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront & Boardwalk
- Leash Law: Code 5-531, the “leash law,” covers dogs only. When a dog is being walked on any city sidewalk it must be on a lead at all times. Also, dogs being walked on a leash must also be wearing a city pet license.
- Running At Large: Code 5-530 stipulates that no animal may be free to run “at large” within the city limits. So, that means a dog is supposed to be properly contained within one’s residence, either within the house or on a tie-out or chain.
- Dangerous & Vicious Dogs: But what constitutes a vicious dog or dangerous dog?
- Code 5-520 maintains that a “dangerous dog” is one that “has bitten, attacked or inflicted injury” on another person or even another animal. A “vicious dog” is one that has killed or inflicted severe or serious bodily harm on a human being, as well as one who has continually exhibited dangerous behavior as previously found by a court.