FAQs About Legal Liability for Dog Bites in Waldorf, Maryland

In Waldorf, MD, victims who have been injured by a dog bite or dog attack (like a mauling) can sue the dog’s owner for compensation (and potentially others such as a landlord or operator of a business). A dog’s owner is legally liable to pay FULL compensation for ALL injuries and damages. These include paying compensation for medical bills (including future medical bills), disfigurement, disability, pain and suffering, lost wages, damage to your personal property (like torn and ripped clothes), and more. If you have been injured by a Waldorf, MD dog bite, act quickly to consult with experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys like the ones at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Our number is (301) 870-1200. In Maryland, there is a strict three-year deadline by which you have to file your dog bite lawsuit. We are experienced and top-tier Maryland dog bite attorneys who are seasoned and skilled at obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. We charge no fee unless there is a recovery. Our consultations are free and at no risk. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about dog bite settlements and claims.

1. How much is my Maryland dog bite case worth?
2. It depends on the facts of your case. The settlement or trial value of any dog bite case depends on the severity of the injuries and other damages. A minor dog bite might be worth $10-$20,000 while more serious cases involving surgeries, disfigurement, and disability might be worth more than $500,000. There are reported cases where Maryland juries have awarded more than $700,000 after trial.
3. Who pays the settlement or trial verdict?
4. Most often, the dog’s owner’s insurance company pays the settlement or court verdict. Thus, the first step in a Maryland dog bite case is to file an insurance claim. If a settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, then a dog bite case will be filed in Maryland State courts.
5. What if the dog’s owner has no insurance?
6. A lawsuit can still be filed against the dog’s owner seeking compensation. This can be complicated if the dog owner has few assets from which a judgment can be collected.
7. What if the owner is a member of my family?
8. This does not matter from a legal standpoint. An injured victim has a right to compensation. Moreover, since, in most cases, an insurance company will be paying the compensation, making a claim and/or filing a dog bite lawsuit should not cause too much emotional damage to the family members. It is not uncommon in Maryland dog bite cases for the dog’s owner to be related to the victim. This is similarly true if the dog’s owner is a friend.
9. Can I “lose my case” if I was playing with the dog?
10. If the owner allowed or encouraged you to play with the dog, in most cases, you cannot “lose your case” for that reason. To do so, it must be shown that you provoked the dog in some way.
11. Can I sue a landlord or others for a Maryland dog bite?

Yes, depending on the facts. For example, you can sue a landlord if they knew about the dog’s presence and knew that the dog was dangerous. In such a case, the landlord might be legally liable. A business owner might also be legally liable under some circumstances. Even a homeowner might be liable where the dog was owned by a friend, the friend was visiting the home with the dog and the homeowner knew the dog was dangerous.

1. Can I sue if the dog jumped on me causing me to fall and be injured?
2. Yes. Dog bites are not the only way that an injured victim can sue a dog’s owner for compensation.

Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.