Can I Get Compensation for a Dog Bite in Maryland?

Does the One Dog Bite Rule Apply in Maryland?

If you have been bitten by a dog in Maryland, you may want to consult a dog bite lawyer. Many dog attacks involve pit bulls, but other breeds can be vicious too. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid a dog attack is to keep your distance from a dog. The best thing you can do in the event of a dog bite is to seek immediate medical attention. After that, you can turn to a dog bite lawyer for help.

Get medical treatment for a dog bite at any of these local centers:

All You Need to Know About Dog Bite Injury Compensation in Maryland

Dog bites are one of the most common types of personal injuries, with approximately 12,480 people hospitalized each year due to dog bite injuries per DogsBite.org. The Blank Kim Injury Law law firm can help victims receive compensation for their injuries from a dog bite, including lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.

Can I Sue for Dog Bite Injuries in Maryland?

Dog bites are one of the most common types of injuries that occur in Maryland. They are often caused by dogs running away from their owners or attacking another dog. If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

In order to file a lawsuit against a dog owner for damages, you must first prove that the defendant was negligent. Negligence means that the person knew or should have known that his or her actions posed an unreasonable risk of harm to others. This standard applies whether the injury occurred inside or outside of the property owned by the defendant.

Negligent conduct can include any number of things such as failing to properly supervise a pet, allowing a dangerous animal to roam freely, or leaving food unattended near animals.

When Should You File a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Maryland?

Dog bite injuries happen every day. They may occur at any place, such as parks, beaches, schools, restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, nursing homes, and even pet stores. Injuries caused by dog bites are often serious. If you were bitten by a dog, you may suffer from severe pain, infection, bleeding, nerve damage, broken bones, and even death.

Unfortunately, most dog owners don't realize that they are legally responsible for the actions of their dogs. This means that if you are injured by a dog, you could file a claim against the owner of the dog.

However, filing a dog bite injury claim in Maryland isn't always an easy task. There are several factors that determine whether you qualify to receive compensation for your injuries. Before you decide whether to file a dog bite injury lawsuit, you first need to understand what qualifies as a dog bite injury.

There are two types of dog bite injuries:

  • those caused by a dog attack
  • those caused by a loose dog

A dog attack occurs when a dog attacks another person without provocation. For example, a child may be playing near a park, and a dog suddenly bites him.

On the other hand, a loose dog causes injury by running away after biting someone. For instance, a woman was walking her dog in a park, and a stray dog ran toward her. She tried to avoid the dog, but she fell down and broke her leg.

In either case, the victim has suffered a dog bite injury. However, the severity of the injury depends upon the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Maryland Dog Bite Claims?

Dog bites can happen anywhere, anytime, and to anyone. If you were bitten by a dog, you may have questions regarding whether you have legal recourse against the owner of the dog.

In Maryland, dogs are considered domestic animals under state law. As such, owners of dogs are liable for any injuries caused by their pets. However, the statute of limitations for dog bite claims varies depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. For example, if a person was attacked by a dog that had been previously known to attack others, the victim has two years to file a claim after the incident occurred. On the other hand, if the victim did not know that the dog had previously attacked others, they have three years to file a claim.

Furthermore, if the victim knew that the dog had previously bitten another individual, the victim has one year to file a claim. However, if the victim did NOT know that the dog had bit another individual, the victim does not have a deadline to file a claim.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Dog Bite Injury in Maryland?

If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation under Maryland law.

In Maryland, dog bite injuries are considered “personal injuries” and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s tort laws. This means that victims of dog attacks can file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that bit them.

However, not every victim of a dog attack has the right to sue the owner of the dog. To qualify for compensation, you must prove that the dog was viciously attacked and caused serious physical harm to you.

What constitutes a vicious attack?

Under Maryland law, an animal is vicious if it shows signs of aggression toward humans. For example, if a dog growls or snaps at its owner, it is probably showing signs of aggressive behavior.

Finally, courts will look at the size of the dog involved in the incident. Small dogs usually do not constitute a danger to human beings. However, larger breeds of dogs often show signs of aggression. Therefore, if you were bitten by a large dog, you should expect to receive greater compensation than if you were bitten by an average-sized dog.

To recover damages for a dog bite injury in Maryland, you must first file a claim with the insurance company that covers the owner of the dog responsible for the attack. After filing the claim, you will then have 30 days to file a civil action against the owner of the offending dog.

If the judge finds that the defendant acted unreasonably and that the plaintiff suffered serious physical damage, they will award compensatory damages to the plaintiff. These damages include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other costs associated with treating the injury.

In addition, the judge may order the defendant to pay punitive damages if the evidence supports such an award. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for their actions and deter them from committing future acts of negligence.

Punitive damages are awarded based on the severity of the defendant’s conduct. Courts typically assess punitive damages between $500 and $10,000 per occurrence.

A successful dog bite injury claim requires careful investigation into the facts of the case. An experienced attorney can provide valuable assistance in determining whether you have a valid claim.

Can You Get Damages for a Dog Bite Claim in Maryland?

In order to qualify for damages, the dog had to act intentionally. For example, if the dog lunged at you without any prior warning, you would not qualify for damages.

In order to qualify as an intentional attack, the dog must have known that its actions would cause harm. Therefore, if the dog did not intend to hurt you, it cannot be held liable for your injuries. For example, if you were walking down the street when a dog ran out from behind a parked car and attacked you, the dog would not be considered to have intended to injure you. Instead, the dog would be acting out of instinct and fear.

How Do I Prove Intentionality?

It is difficult to prove intent. However, there are several factors that may indicate whether the dog acted intentionally. These include:

  • Did the dog appear to be aggressive?
  • Was the dog barking or growling?
  • Did the dog chase after you?
  • Were you injured by the teeth or claws of the dog?
  • Did the owner of the dog warn you that the dog was dangerous?

Who Is Most at Risk of a Dog Bite or Animal Attack?

In addition to causing physical damage, dog bites can lead to psychological trauma. This makes dog bites an issue that affects everyone, regardless of whether they live near dogs or not.

So, who is most at risk of a dog bite or animal attack?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children aged 1 to 4 years old are the most vulnerable population. Children under two years old are particularly susceptible to dog bites because they lack the ability to protect themselves.

  • Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are also at increased risk due to their tendency to play rough and run away from adults.
  • Adults 65 years and older are also at higher risk for dog bites. Older individuals tend to walk slower and may become distracted by objects such as toys or food.

When dealing with a dog bite or animal bite, the first step is seeking medical attention.

How Can I Benefit from Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer?

If you have been bitten by a dog, you need a dog bite lawyer. At Blank Kim Injury Law, we help victims of dog attacks obtain compensation for their injuries. We understand how important it is to recover the compensation that you deserve, so we are committed to protecting your rights and helping you get the financial recovery you need.

Dog bites are some of the most common types of personal injury claims in Maryland, and, unfortunately, many people don’t realize how much they may be compensated.

Hire a Maryland Dog Bite Attorney to Help You!

At Blank Kim Injury Law, we understand how traumatic a dog bite can be. This is why we are here for you. Our dog bite injury attorneys have extensive experience working with dog bite victims and can help you navigate the process of filing a lawsuit.

Contact our local injury law offices for a free case consultation

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Aaron Blank Esq
Date Published: October 27, 2022
Aaron Blank is a patient safety advocate who holds the healthcare system responsible when it fails. He keeps businesses accountable if they choose profits over the safety of the community, and he ensures car insurance companies pay their fair share for the harm that reckless drivers cause. Aaron and his proficient legal team bring an approach based on dedication, guidance, and compassion through the difficult process of pursuing serious injury claims. He has dedicated his career to fighting for injury victims to recover losses from medical expenses, lost income, loss of enjoyment of life, or the loss of a loved one.
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This website is by Blank Kim P.C. d/b/a Blank Kim Injury Law. We have offices throughout Maryland with attorneys licensed to practice law in the state of  Maryland. Use of this site does not form an attorney-client relationship and information herein shall not be construed as legal advice. This website is to be considered as ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Past settlement and verdict values are no guarantee of similar future outcomes. This firm may retain local counsel to prosecute cases. This website has not been approved by the Court of Appeals of Maryland or the Maryland State Bar. Cases may be co-counselled or referred to other firms for litigation.
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