Dogs in our society are truly considered part of the family. Some even view their dogs as their children. That being said, dog owners have to take responsibility and make sure their dogs are trained so that they do not become a danger to others. When an owner fails to take the necessary steps for training, their dog may lash out on an unsuspecting person and cause serious injury. Some of the common injuries that dogs can impose on their victim include torn flesh, tendons, and muscular tissue, as well as broken bones. If you have been attacked by a dog, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner accountable and recover compensation for your injuries. For strong legal representation during your dog bite case, contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today.
Maryland’s Dog Bite Laws
In most situations, the dog’s owner can be held responsible for an attack. This is true even if the dog doesn’t have a history of violence as long as it was “at large,” which means that it was either off leash or off the property and was not under the owner’s control at the time of the attack. In a situation where the dog was under the owner’s control during the attack, the victim may have to fulfill the burden of proof and provide evidence that the owner was acting negligently. Of course, this can be challenging in a dog bite case so it is important to look at the dog’s history of violence. It is also important to note that Maryland practices contributory negligence. This means that if the victim was at fault in any way in causing the dog to attack, they may not be able to recover compensation for their injuries. Some of the factors that may be considered in contributory negligence situations include whether the victim was antagonizing the dog or was unlawfully on the dog owner’s property at the time of the attack.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
In a dog bite case, the victim may need to fulfill the burden of proof. This simply means that in order to prove their case, they need to show that the dog’s owner was negligent. Some of the important steps in collecting evidence to help a dog bite case include seeking immediate medical attention, filing a report with law enforcement, obtaining information about the dog’s history and whether it has its rabies shots, among others. If there are witnesses to the attack, it is important to obtain their contact information as well. If it can be proven that the dog had “vicious propensity” and the owner’s negligence caused the attack, they can be held accountable and may even face criminal charges.
Contact a Maryland Dog Bite Attorney
If you have been attacked by a dog in Maryland and are suffering from serious injuries as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. These cases are very complex and require careful attention and a thorough investigation of an experienced personal injury attorney. For strong legal representation in your Maryland dog bite case, contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today.
