Richmond Dog Bite Lawyer

If you suffered injuries from a dog attack, speak with our Richmond dog bite lawyers today to learn about your options: 804-500-9796

A dog bite may only last a moment, but the aftermath can stretch for months or years. You may suffer from stitches, infections, surgeries, medical bills, scars, sleepless nights, anxiety, and a fear of going outside. Dog attacks don’t just leave physical wounds; they shake your sense of safety in everyday life.

If you’ve been bitten in Richmond, you don’t have to figure it out alone. The law gives you options. And we’re here to help you use them. Virginia law allows injured victims to hold negligent dog owners accountable for these attacks, but the rules are specific, and you must offer clear evidence. In these situations, you need the help of a Richmond dog bite lawyer.

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we represent individuals and families injured in dog attacks. Our team draws on decades of litigation experience to build strong, strategic cases for our clients. When you work with us, you get a legal team that understands how to move your case forward with compassion and efficiency.

What Does Virginia Law Say About Dog Bites?

Virginia uses what is known as the one-bite rule, which generally gives a dog “one free bite” before the owner can be liable. In other words, if it’s the first time a dog has bitten someone and the owner has no reason to believe the dog is dangerous, you generally cannot hold the owner responsible. 

However, that protection disappears if the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities. Prior aggressive behavior, such as growling, snapping, lunging, or even barking at strangers, can be enough to show the owner’s knowledge.

Once a dog bites someone, a hearing can be held to determine whether the dog is legally deemed dangerous. Virginia law classifies a dog as “dangerous” when a dog causes serious injury to a person or kills or seriously injures another companion animal. If the dog is found to be dangerous, the court can impose strict conditions on the owner.

However, Virginia law also limits liability in specific situations. The court cannot label a dog as dangerous if the person injured was:

• Provoking, tormenting, or abusing the dog;
• Trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the attack; or
• Committing a crime on the premises.

If the dog was reacting to pain or protecting its young, a person, property, or itself from a perceived threat, it cannot be deemed dangerous.

Even if a dog has no history of aggression, an owner can still be liable for a bite if they fail to comply with local safety rules. For example, if a dog is off-leash in a public space where leash laws apply, that failure to abide by the law may support a negligence claim.

What Are Common Dog Bite Injuries?

Dog bites can cause much more than surface-level injuries. Victims may require emergency care, reconstructive surgery, and long-term psychological support. We’ve seen cases involving:

• Puncture wounds,
• Deep lacerations,
• Infections requiring hospitalization,
• Nerve damage,
• Facial trauma,
• Permanent scarring,
• Broken bones from being knocked down, and
• Post-traumatic stress and fear of dogs.

Even so-called “minor” bites can result in lasting effects, including nerve damage, visible scarring, or a fear of dogs that disrupt your daily life. Some injuries take time to fully appear, so taking dog bites seriously and seeking care early is essential.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A dog attack can upend your life in ways most people don’t expect. Beyond the emergency room visit, there are ongoing surgeries, missed paychecks, emotional struggles, and day-to-day limitations that can ripple through every part of your routine. In Virginia, you have the right to recover compensation for these losses, and a seasoned Richmond dog bite law firm can help you recover it.

Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses,
• Lost income,
• Diminished earning capacity,
• Pain and suffering,
• Emotional distress,
• Scarring and disfigurement, and
• Ongoing psychological care.  

At Merrick Brock, our legal team carefully reviews every case to identify all possible sources of compensation, including homeowners’ insurance policies, renters’ insurance, and other liable parties. We also work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full value of your claim and help you avoid paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

Evidence Collection in Dog Bite Cases

Collecting comprehensive evidence is crucial for substantiating a dog bite claim. Key steps include:

1. Photographic Evidence
   • Take clear, timestamped photos of your injuries immediately after the incident and throughout the healing process.
   • Photograph the location of the incident and any visible signs of the dog’s presence or containment.
2. Medical Documentation
   • Seek immediate medical attention and retain all records, including emergency room reports, treatment plans, and medical bills.
   • These documents establish the extent of your injuries and the associated costs.
3. Witness Statements
   • Obtain contact information and written statements from anyone who witnessed the incident.
   • Witness accounts can corroborate your version of events and provide additional perspectives.
4. Official Reports
   • Report the incident to local authorities, such as animal control or the police, and request copies of any official reports filed.
   • These reports can serve as official records of the incident.
5. Personal Account
   • Document your own detailed account of the incident, including the events leading up to the bite, the attack itself, and the aftermath.
   • Include information on how the injury has impacted your daily life.

Consulting with a personal injury attorney can further assist in gathering and organizing this evidence to build a strong case.

Importance of Medical Attention and Reporting

Prompt medical care and proper reporting are vital after a dog bite:

1. Immediate Medical Care
   • Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water to reduce infection risk.
   • Seek medical attention, especially if the bite is deep, bleeding heavily, or shows signs of infection.
   • Medical professionals may administer tetanus shots, prescribe antibiotics, or recommend rabies vaccinations depending on the circumstances.
2. Reporting the Incident
   • Report the bite to local animal control authorities within 24 hours.
   • Provide details about the dog, its owner, and the circumstances of the bite.
   • Reporting helps authorities monitor potentially dangerous animals and enforce public safety regulations.
3. Legal Considerations
   • Timely reporting and medical documentation are essential if you plan to pursue legal action.
   • These records serve as evidence of the incident and your response, supporting your claim for compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Virginia?

Under Virginia law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including dog bite claims, is generally two years from the date of the incident. If you wait too long, your case may be dismissed entirely.

To protect your right to compensation, it’s best to consult a Richmond dog attack lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal action also helps preserve key evidence, such as witness testimony and animal control records.

Why Choose Merrick Brock, PLLC?

Dog bite cases are personal and often legally complex. You need a law firm that understands both sides of the fight.

Our attorneys spent decades representing large insurance companies in personal injury cases before founding Merrick Brock. We use that experience to help injured people in Richmond stand up to those same insurers. We know how they operate and how to build cases that make them pay attention.

When you work with us, you get:

• Direct access to your attorney, not a call center or case manager;
• A legal team that prepares every case as if it’s going to trial; and
• Strategic negotiation and litigation rooted in decades of experience.

We don’t chase headlines. We focus on results, and we’re ready to put that focus to work for you.

Dog Bite Resources

Local Resources

• Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC)
  • Phone: (804) 646-5573
  • Services: Investigates dog bite incidents, enforces local animal control laws, and oversees rabies quarantines.
• Virginia Department of Health – Animal Bites
  • Website: VDH Animal Bites
  • Services: Provides guidelines on reporting animal bites, rabies prevention, and wound care.
• Henrico County Health Department
  • Website: Henrico Health
  • Services: Offers public health services, including information on animal bites and rabies exposure.

National Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Dog Bite Prevention
  • Website: CDC Dog Bites
  • Services: Provides statistics, prevention tips, and guidelines for handling dog bites.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – Dog Bite Prevention
  • Website: AVMA Dog Bite Prevention
  • Services: Offers educational materials on preventing dog bites and understanding canine behavior.

Talk to a Richmond Dog Bite Attorney Today

Dog bite injuries can leave devastating physical, psychological, and emotional scars. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you can seek accountability.

At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we take these cases seriously. We’ll investigate your claim, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. With our background in defense litigation, we know precisely how insurers try to deny and delay these cases, and we don’t let them. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond dog bite lawyer.