Dog Bites

Demand Justice Now

Dog bites and other types of animal attacks are becoming more common because of the increase in dog ownership and interaction between people and dogs. Many owners are ignorant of proper care and training of dogs. Further, in recent years, there are social trends towards training and keeping more dangerous animals by inexperienced owners and using aggressive dogs for self-protection or as status symbols.

Dogs can attack for a wide range of reasons. Some dogs are trained for protection, including violent response. Other dogs become aggressive because of owner neglect or abuse, and still others grow irritable as they age, or due to certain medical conditions. Owners often unwittingly create circumstances where others are placed in danger from their dog. In each of these cases, the owner can and should be held liable when their pet attacks another person and causes them to suffer a serious personal injury.

If you have suffered from a dog attack in Bethesda, Rockville or the greater areas of Maryland, Washington D.C. or Virginia, call (301) 251-1286 to schedule a free consultation with us. Dog bite attorney Stuart L. Plotnick and his legal team at the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC have years of experience handling severe dog bites and other serious personal injury accidents. That's why we have such a strong track record of success.

Children Most at Risk of Dog Bite Injuries

Children are much more likely to be the victims of dog bites than adults. According to research, the highest rate of dog bite injuries occurs in children between the ages of five and nine years old, and unsupervised infants are at a much higher risk to be killed by a dog than an adult.

Even more unfortunate is the knowledge that many dog bites in children occur to the neck and head. Disfigurement or scarring is a common consequence of severe dog bites, often leading to serious emotional and psychological suffering. Many more children are not as fortunate and end up dying from their injuries. Most dog bite fatalities occur in children under the age of 10.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries and Damages

Dog bites can inflict several types of injuries, including:

• Lacerations
• Crush wounds
• Fractured bones
• Punctures
• Excessive blood loss
• Scarring

When these injuries occur in the face, they often result in scarring and disfigurement. This, combined with the terror of being mauled by a dog, can result in long-term psychological trauma. Dog bite victims deserve compensation for psychological treatment, as well as plastic surgery to repair disfigurement as much as possible.

In addition to these damages, injured dog bite victims can pursue compensation for general medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, and lost income. Our experienced Maryland dog bite lawyer at the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC can evaluate your claim to determine the type and amount of benefits, damages and compensation you are entitled to.

Dog Breeds Most Prone to Attack

Any breed of dog can suddenly attack a person unprovoked, but certain breeds have become infamous for their aggressiveness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the top five dog breeds in terms of dog attacks and fatalities:

• Pit bulls - This category includes a number of breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Each of these dogs was historically bred to be powerful fighters, and they have very strong jaws.
• Rottweilers - Together, Rottweilers and Pit Bulls are responsible more than half of all dog bite-related deaths. Rottweilers are extremely intelligent, but if an owner fails to train them properly, they can become disobedient and aggressive.
• Siberian Huskies - Since Huskies were originally bred for work, they did not socialize often with humans, so this large breed tends to have behavioral issues.
• Saint Bernards - One of the largest dog breeds, Saint Bernards can be excellent family dogs with good training, but their size also causes them to sometimes be dominant. Poor training can lead to an aggressive attitude.
• German Shepherds - Most popular as a police dog, German Shepherds are also very intelligent and often friendly. However, their natural instincts and jaw strength can make them equally dangerous in certain circumstances.

Take Your Dog Bite Seriously

Many people underestimate the severity or seriousness of their dog bite. But the reality is that many dog bites become infected or require surgery or emergency medical treatment. Rabies can also be a concern. Upon the occurrence of a dog bite, the parties should immediately determine whether the animal has had its rabies shots. The local animal control should also be contacted in order to determine the extent of the danger and whether the animal need be quarantined.

Young children in particular are especially vulnerable to dog attacks. Because such injuries often involve family pets or dogs owned by neighbors or friends, some people are reluctant to take legal action, because they fear they could jeopardize such relationships. People are also fearful of taking action because they believe that animal control authorities may take their dog or that the costs or financial impact of such injuries will not be that much.

The reality is dog bites can be very serious and expensive, not just from the wound, but concerns of rabies, scarring, and other ill effects. And they need to be taken seriously right away. The good news is you don't have to do anything to jeopardize your relationships. That's because a dog bite lawyer can deal directly with insurance companies, rather than the dog owner.

Contact Our Law Firm

When you have us in your corner, we can handle all the paperwork associated with your dog bite; from contacting animal control to working with experts in the field of obedience and training. We also know how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and demand the compensation you rightfully deserve.

A former insurance company lawyer, Attorney Stuart L. Plotnick knows how the legal system works from the inside out. As your dog bite lawyer in Rockville, MD, he can build a strong legal case involving your dog bite attack. His approach regularly includes:

• Reviewing your medical records
• Consulting with experts in their field
• Negotiating with the dog owner's insurance company

We understand the sensitive nature of such cases. That's why we want to meet with you privately at our law firm to learn more about the circumstances surrounding your dog attack. Simply contact us and schedule your free case evaluation right now.