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. We understand the devastating impact that these attacks can have on individuals and their families.
Our Virginia Beach dog bite lawyers have have successfully settled cases for adults, children, seniors, delivery drivers, postal carriers, pedestrians and other innocent victims of Virginia Beach dog attacks.
VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE LAWYER RICHARD SERPE
Award-winning Virginia Beach dog bite lawyer Richard Serpe has spent 37 years of his legal career advocating for injured victims and their families. His dog attack clients include children, mail carriers, delivery drivers, neighbors, joggers, pedestrians, and others.
Richard Serpe’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the complexities involved in dog bite cases enable him to provide exceptional legal support and guidance. If you or a loved one has been affected by a Virginia Beach dog attack and you’re seeking advice on how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at (757) 233-0009 to discuss your options.
If you have been attacked by someone else’s dog and required medical attention for your injuries, it is highly advisable to consult with a Virginia Beach dog bite attorney to explore your legal options.
An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to seek compensation for a range of damages.
These can include reimbursement for medical expenses incurred from treating your injuries, coverage for any disfigurement or scarring that may result from the attack, and costs associated with necessary plastic surgery.
Additionally, you might be able to claim damages for lost wages if your injuries prevented you from working, as well as for pain and suffering and other financial losses directly 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 ANSWERED YES to all of these questions, consider a free consultation with our Virginia dog bite legal team to discuss your rights 757-233-0009.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’VE BEEN ATTACKED BY A DOG?
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.
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.
HOW MUCH IS A VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE SETTLEMENT?
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.
OUR VIRGINIA DOG BITE SETTLEMENTS
$425,000 – Child attacked and bitten on face
$130,000 – Child attacked and bitten on face, lip, and mouth
$100,000 – Postal worker sustained serious knee injury
$100,000 – FedEx delivery driver attacked
$100,000 – Child viciously attacked by neighbor’s dog
$80,000 – Child bitten on face
$30,000 – Adult attacked while jogging in neighborhood
Many of our Virginia dog bite clients are unfortunately children. While kids are naturally drawn to animals, dogs may not always respond positively. When a dog feels threatened, scared, or angry, it can react aggressively, even towards young children.
Dog bite injuries can vary from minor to severe. Common injuries from dog attacks on children include lacerations, punctures, sprains, fractures, and tissue loss. Scarring on the face and neck can be especially traumatic, often requiring surgery and potentially plastic surgery to address both functional and cosmetic damage. If your child has been injured by someone else’s dog, reach out to our Virginia Beach dog attack attorneys for a free consultation.
WHAT IS THE DOG BITE CASE LAW IN VIRGINIA?
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.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE LAWS
§ 3.2-6538. Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty
§ 3.2-6539. Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash.
§ 3.2-6540. Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing
§ 3.2-6540.04. Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty.
WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON A DOG BITE IN VIRGINIA?
In Virginia, strict deadlines govern filing a lawsuit, typically setting a two-year limit known as the Statute of Limitations. However, certain situations may affect this deadline and extend or shorten the time frame.
Though two years might seem ample, healing from an injury and preparing a strong case can be time-consuming. Complex cases like those involving permanent injury or wrongful death often require additional time and effort.
Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. To safeguard your right to compensation, it’s wise to seek legal advice as soon as possible. If you’d like to consult with our Virginia dog bite legal team, please call or text us at 757-233-0009.
CONTACT VIRGINIA BEACH DOG BITE LAWYER RICHARD SERPE
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.
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.
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.
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer Settlements
$130
THOUSAND
5-year-old attacked and bitten on face, lip, and mouth by neighbor's dog.
Arlington, Virginia
$110
THOUSAND
Client sustained serious facial injuries after being attacked by dog.
Chesapeake, Virginia
$100
THOUSAND
Postal worker sustained a serious knee injury after being attacked while at work.
Norfolk, Virginia
$100
THOUSAND
FedEx delivery driver sustained major injuries to arm after being bitten at work.
Wythe County, Virginia
$100
THOUSAND
7-year-old viciously attacked by neighbor's dog that escaped.
Dog bites can have serious consequences, leading to physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens from medical bills. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog
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