Baltimore Dog Bite Attorney
Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Baltimore. MD
Though dogs are wonderful additions to the home, they can be a danger if trained improperly or not trained at all. The saying goes, “There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.” When a dog lacks training or is trained to be aggressive, others can easily be hurt. Dogs need to be trained and monitored for adverse behaviors. Most dog owners take this responsibility seriously while others do not. A dog has the ability to do substantial physical damage to a person, including tearing flesh, tendons, muscles and can even break a bone with the right pressure. The results of a dog bite injury can be devastating. Many of these cases are caused by the negligence of the owner. Proving your case is complicated, but having the right attorney can make a great difference. If you have been injured by a dog and believe that your situation calls for a personal injury lawsuit, contact Albers & Associates. Our firm has significant experience helping clients through these matters. We are ready to assess your case, guide you through your legal options and passionately fight for your future. Contact Albers & Associates for a free consultation.
Maryland dog bite laws
Depending on the circumstances, the owner of the dog that injured you is the liable party. In Maryland, the dog does not need a history of violence if the dog was “at large”, meaning that the dog was not under the control of the owner. This could include being off premises, unleashed or without constraints, or not in the immediate presence or control of the owner. The fact that the dog was “at large” may constitute negligence right away. If you were injured by a dog that was leashed, on the owner’s property, or otherwise controlled, you may need to prove negligence. This may include investigating to see if the dog had a history of violence. If so, it is assumed that the owner knew or should have reasonably known about it. Many other factors go into establishing negligence. Furthermore, if you had anything to do with causing the dog to injure you, it may be considered contributory negligence, meaning that you caused the incident as well and you may not be entitled to compensation. These acts can include trespassing or attempted trespassing, committing a crime or attempting to commit a crime on the owner’s property or against someone else, ignoring signs to avoid the dog, or otherwise provoking the dog. This is a fact-sensitive issue that deserves the attention of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Collecting evidence
Collecting evidence is an important facet of a personal injury case. Firstly, seek medical attention. This provides the medical care you need while documenting some of the important facts of your case, including the injury, the approximate time of the injury, and the place at which the incident occurred. Secondly, get the contact information of the dog owner and any information you can about the dog itself. If you are not able to act for yourself, contact an attorney to come to the scene and act on your behalf. A seasoned attorney will take the facts of the case and thoroughly investigate the matter, including looking for any evidence of vicious propensity.
Contact Albers & Associates
Being injured by a dog can be terrible. If you are the victim of a dog bite injury, you could be entitled to economic and noneconomic damages, including medical bills, lost wages, the impact to future wages, pain and suffering, and the loss of consortium. Our firm recognizes the significance of holding negligent parties accountable. If you need our legal support, contact Albers & Associates for a free consultation.