Giving You The Resources To Recover

Dog Bites Leave Physical And Emotional Injuries

Last updated on April 30, 2026

While people might not initially think of it when considering injury accidents, a dog bite (or animal attack) can cause serious and significant injuries. Depending on circumstances, these injuries can produce nerve damage, scarring and the need for extensive rehabilitation.

If you have suffered a serious injury due to an animal attack, it is important to understand your rights and what you may be entitled to by law. We are here to help you do precisely that. Our lawyers at Colley Shroyer Abraham in Columbus have spent decades standing up for the rights of injury victims. We know how to handle these tough, tragic cases.

Dog Owners Are Responsible When Their Pets Cause Harm

It is important to realize that, even for one bite, an owner can be held liable under Ohio law. Ohio does not have a “one free bite” rule. This means you don’t have to prove that the dog has previously bitten someone in order to obtain compensation. Nor do you have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent in any way. As long as you weren’t provoking the dog, or trespassing when you got bit, you can hold the owner liable.

This strict liability standard makes it easier for those harmed by dog bites to get compensation.

Understanding Ohio’s Strict Liability Statute

Ohio Revised Code Section 955.28 codifies strict liability. Unlike other injury cases requiring proof of negligence, dog owners face liability simply because their animal caused harm. Liability extends to “keepers” and “harborers” of an animal:

Keepers: Individuals who exercised physical control of the dog during the incident, such as walkers.
Harborers: Individuals controlling the premises where the dog lives, such as landlords knowingly allowing vicious dogs in common areas.

However, specific circumstances can void a victim’s right to damages.

Exceptions To Liability

While the law imposes strict liability, owners may raise defenses. The court may deny damages if:

Trespassing: You committed criminal trespass on the owner’s property. (Note: Courts generally consider postal workers as having implied permission).
Provocation: You teased, tormented or abused the dog at the time of the attack.
Criminal activity: You committed or attempted to commit a crime during the incident.

Once you determine liability, you must act within strict time limits.

Types Of Compensation Available To Victims

We pursue full compensation for your loss. We seek damages for:

Medical expenses: Covers past and future costs, including surgery and physical therapy
Lost wages: Reimburses missed work and future earning capacity loss
Pain and suffering: Compensates for physical pain and discomfort
Scarring and disfigurement: Ohio treats scarring as specific damage based on visibility and permanence
Mental anguish: Covers trauma, PTSD and phobias
Loss of consortium: Compensates for lost companionship between spouses or parents and children
Punitive damages: Possible if an owner’s conduct goes beyond negligence

Securing this compensation requires a legal team with specific experience.

The Role Of Homeowners’ Insurance In Your Recovery

Many victims hesitate to sue a friend or neighbor, fearing financial ruin. This is rarely necessary. Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance typically covers dog bite settlements, not personal savings. Most policies include liability for these attacks.

However, insurers try to minimize payouts. Adjusters may downplay injuries or argue you teased, tormented or abused the dog — specific defenses under Ohio law that damage your claim.

We deal with adjusters directly to settle claims using available coverage. This covers medical costs while protecting the dog owner’s personal assets.

Extensive Physical Injuries And Medical Concerns

A dog attack rarely results in a simple puncture. The jaw’s crushing power and tearing motion cause severe trauma. Medical professionals categorize these injuries into distinct types requiring specialized treatment:

Lacerations: These deep cuts tear skin and flesh. In dog bite cases, jagged lacerations complicate suturing and often leave significant scars.
Puncture wounds: These dangerous wounds drive bacteria deep into tissue, reaching muscle or bone. They trap infection inside and prove difficult to clean.
Avulsion injuries: The attack rips skin away completely. These injuries cause immense pain and often require reconstructive surgery or skin grafting.
Crushing injuries: Large breeds exert heavy pressure that crushes underlying soft tissue, muscle and blood vessels. This leads to compartment syndrome or internal bruising.
Broken bones: Bite force fractures bones in the hands and feet. Victims, especially children and the elderly, also suffer fractures if knocked to the ground.
Nerve damage: Deep bites can sever nerves. This causes chronic pain, permanent sensation loss or motor function loss.

Beyond these immediate traumas, specific demographics face higher risks for complications.

The Risk Of Serious Infection

Infection poses a serious risk. A dog’s mouth carries bacteria that harm humans upon entering the bloodstream. Common infections include:

Pasteurella: Found in over 50% of wounds, this bacterium causes rapid, painful infection with redness and swelling.
Capnocytophaga: This rare but fatal infection causes kidney failure and gangrene, especially in immunocompromised victims.
MRSA: Antibiotic-resistant Staph strains make treatment difficult and often necessitate hospitalization.
Tetanus: Deep punctures breed tetanus. Without current vaccination, consequences are life-threatening.
Rabies: This is virtually 100% fatal once symptoms appear. Immediate verification of the dog’s vaccination status is critical.

Physical recovery represents only half the battle, as psychological scars often persist.

Facial Wounds And Children

Children suffer bites frequently. Due to their height, they sustain head and face injuries more often than adults. These wounds often require plastic surgery and cause permanent disfigurement. Beyond physical scars, facial injuries alter a child’s appearance, creating social anxiety and self-esteem issues.

Long-Term Emotional Impact

Dog attacks cause psychological harm alongside physical injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently affects victims, particularly children. Many develop cynophobia (fear of dogs), sleep disturbances, flashbacks and anxiety requiring long-term counseling.

Columbus And National Dog Bite Statistics

Data highlights the scope of this issue. According to the CDC and safety organizations:

4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S.
1 in 5 bites requires medical attention.
Children aged 5 to 9 face the highest injury rates and hospitalization needs.
Average hospital stays cost $18,200 — 50% higher than average injury admissions.
Pit bulls and German shepherds appear frequently in Franklin County incident reports.

Given these risks, knowing how to react immediately protects your rights.

What To Do After A Dog Bite

Your actions in the first 24 hours determine the success of your claim.

Seek immediate medical attention: Go to urgent care. Professionals must clean wounds to prevent infection. Medical records provide crucial evidence.
Identify the dog and owner: Get the owner’s contact info. Ask witnesses if they recognize the animal.
Report the incident: Report the bite to the local health commissioner. OAC 3701-3-28 mandates this for rabies observation. Contact Columbus Public Health to create an official record.
Document everything: Photograph injuries and the scene. Keep a pain journal.
Do not negotiate with the owner: Do not sign statements or accept settlements from insurers without counsel.
Contact an attorney: Call a lawyer to protect your interests.

Taking these steps builds the foundation for financial recovery.

Meeting The Statute Of Limitations

According to Ohio law, you usually have two years from when you get injured to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you probably won’t get compensation. For minors, the two-year clock typically begins only when the victim turns 18.

Why Choose Colley Shroyer Abraham?

Our lawyers at Colley Shroyer Abraham brings over 40 years of experience to your case. We have built a reputation for excellence and compassion. We know suffering a dog bite is a traumatic event, so we take the burden off your shoulders by handling insurance companies and filings, allowing you to focus on healing.

We operate on a contingency fee basis. We get paid only if we win your case. You never worry about upfront fees or hourly bills.

You Can Rely On Our Attorneys To Fight For Maximum Compensation

Our team is ready to take a determined approach in securing the compensation you deserve. We understand that, because of their curiosity and size, children are often the victims of serious animal attacks. We are prepared to do everything we can to obtain damages for physical and psychological injuries.

Proven Success In Dog Bite Cases

We have obtained tens of millions of dollars for clients in more than 40 years of practice. Many of those proven results involved premises liability cases such as dog bites. One example:

$75,000 – Our client delivered medical equipment to a customer. While making the delivery, her dog jumped on him and bit him on the testicle. He sought damages for both pain and suffering and post-traumatic stress.

While we can often obtain successful outcomes through settlements, our lawyers are also highly skilled and effective at trial.

Get Professional Guidance On Your Dog Bite Case

We offer free consultations and contingency representation, meaning you won’t owe us any attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Get help today by calling 614-678-5072 or reaching out online.