Understanding Strict Liability When It Comes to Dog Bite Injury Claims

To understand strict liability, you must first understand the ‘rebuttable presumption.’ In a nutshell, rebuttable presumption means that something – in this case, a dog’s behavior – is automatically considered to be dangerous. It is up to the owner to prove that he or she did not know his dog was dangerous. Dog bite injury claims can become complex because of Maryland’s strict liability laws.

Strict Liability for Dog Bite Injury Claims

The strict liability law states that the dog owner “knew or should have known” that her dog had “vicious or dangerous propensities.” In other words, if a dog bites you, the law assumes the owner knew the dog was vicious, and it is up to the dog owner to prove otherwise.

If the dog owner cannot prove the dog was not vicious and had a reason to bite you – e.g., you were teasing the dog, trespassing, or otherwise gave the dog a reason to bite – you could recover damages for your dog bite injuries or for the death of a loved one that was killed in a dog attack.

Strict liability makes it difficult for a dog owner to win dog bite cases, but it is not impossible. It is always advisable for you to seek the help of an experienced dog bite lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Exceptions to Strict Liability

The dog owner does have some defenses, including committing a crime on his or her property or against a person. The other defense a dog owner has is if someone is teasing, abusing, tormenting, or provoking the dog.

Dog Bite Injury Claim: Recovering Damages

You could recover damages after a dog bite incident, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of quality of life, and loss of companionship and / or consortium.

Schedule a Consultation Today in Waldorf, MD

As a highly experienced and knowledgeable attorney, Patrick D. Troxler has dedicated his practice at Voice Law to diligently advocating for clients in injury law cases. With extensive experience handling car accidents and personal injury claims, he has gained valuable insight into insurance laws and how to fight for fair compensation within the legal system.

Serving Waldorf and surrounding areas in Maryland, Voice Law is committed to providing top-notch legal representation for those injured due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. Contact us today at 301-264-6072 to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys regarding your dog bite case.