Like many others, you may be a true dog lover. This is why it may be such an emotionally traumatic and painful experience, not to mention a physical one, when someone else’s dog unexpectedly bites or attacks you. Of course, you may not want to blame the dog, who doesn’t know any better. But still, you may believe that someone other than yourself should have to pay for your emergency room visit and other damages associated with your injuries. With that being said, please continue reading to learn who to hold responsible once bitten by a dog and how to contact one of the experienced Prince George’s County dog bite lawyers from Miller Berman to ensure your legal claim is filed on time.
Who is legally responsible if I am bitten by a dog in Maryland?
First things first, the state of Maryland enforces strict liability law for dog bites. With this, as the victim of a dog bite incident, you may not need to prove that an owner knew their dog was dangerous. Rather, this dog owner may be held legally responsible regardless. Importantly, this applies so long as their dog was running at large in the moments before the bite (i.e., they were not on a leash and off the owner’s property). Sometimes, this is even the case if you were a welcomed visitor on the owner’s property.
Even still, a dog owner may attempt any legal argument possible to shift the blame onto you. That is, they may claim that you were indeed not a welcome visitor, but instead a trespasser or someone attempting to commit a criminal offense on their property. Or, they may state that you were provoking, teasing, or tormenting the dog leading up to this. For this, you must be equipped with evidence that easily dismisses these counterclaims (i.e., security camera footage, eyewitness testimonies, etc).
What is the statute of limitations for a dog bite injury claim in Maryland?
Your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering may be too great to ignore, and you may feel driven to pursue a personal injury claim against the dog owner. While we understand you may take time to heal emotionally and physically, we must remind you that you are working on a legal deadline. That is, in the state of Maryland, the statute of limitations for a dog bite injury claim is generally three years. Meaning, three days from the date of the dog bite’s occurrence. Otherwise, your window of opportunity may be shut forever.
While you may be granted three years, it is best to report your incident to local animal control authorities as soon as possible. This is for the sake of your legal claim and the overall safety of the rest of your community. As the saying goes, there is no better time than the present. Contact one of the skilled Prince George’s County injury lawyers from Miller Berman to get your legal process started today. Your initial consultation with our firm will be free of charge, so there are truly no strings attached. We look forward to hearing from you.
