Manassas Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Lawyers for Victims of Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Manassas, Virginia

There are many situations where attacks by dogs can happen without warning. These situations may be over in seconds, but they can leave victims with injuries that may take months to heal, or they may have a permanent impact on a person's life. The psychological effects of a dog bite or attack can last far longer, affecting a victim's overall quality of life.

Whether a dog attack occurs at a neighbor's home, in a public park, on a neighborhood street, or in another location, a victim will need to understand their legal options. Pet owners or property owners who fail to control dangerous animals may be held liable for the harm their animals have caused.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we represent victims of dog bites and other animal attacks, helping them move forward after they have suffered serious harm. Our attorneys understand the physical and emotional impact that these attacks can have on victims and their families. We work to ensure that our clients can receive the compensation they need to address the harm done by a dangerous dog and move forward with their lives. With our 60+ years of combined experience in personal injury and premises liability law, we know how to help our clients achieve success in these cases.

The Impact of Dog Bite Injuries

Because they have strong jaws, dogs can bite people with high levels of force. An attack by a large or aggressive dog can lead to multiple types of serious injuries that may require extensive medical treatment. The severity of the injuries may depend on the size of the dog, the nature of the attack, and the victim's ability to defend themselves. Children and older adults are often at a higher level of risk in these situations, and they can suffer serious harm.

Injuries inflicted by dogs may include:

• Lacerations and Puncture Wounds: A dog's teeth can cause wounds that may be deep and jagged. Deep puncture wounds can damage the skin and the tissues beneath. Lacerations may cause extensive blood loss, especially if they occur in the neck or other areas with major blood vessels.
• Nerve and Tissue Damage: A dog bite can cause serious damage to nerves, tendons, blood vessels, and muscle tissue beneath the skin. Nerve damage from a bite to the hands, arms, or face can lead to numbness, weakness, or loss of function, which may limit a person's ability to perform work or daily tasks. Surgery may be needed to repair damage to tendons or ligaments, and rehabilitation may be needed to regain function in the parts of the body that were injured
• Facial Injuries and Scarring: Children may suffer facial injuries in dog attacks because their faces are closer to the level of a dog's mouth. Other victims may also suffer facial injuries when a dog jumps or knocks them down. Bites to the face can cause deep lacerations that may result in disfiguring scars. Reconstructive surgery may be needed, but it may be impossible to fully restore a person to their pre-injury appearance.
• Crush Injuries and Fractures: Large dogs that bite people may inflict serious injuries in the hands, arms, and legs. The force of a powerful bite can fracture or crush bones and damage soft tissues. Reconstructive surgery may be required, and a person may never regain full function in the parts of the body that were injured.
• Infections: Dog bites may put victims at risk of infections when bacteria or viruses are transmitted through a dog's saliva into a person's bloodstream. Some serious infections may be life-threatening, and aggressive medical treatment may be needed to protect a person's health.
• Psychological Trauma: The emotional effects of a dog attack can be just as significant as a person's physical injuries. Many victims are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder, and they may have a lasting fear of dogs. For children, the psychological impact of a dog attack may lead to ongoing issues, such as nightmares, behavioral changes, reluctance to go outdoors, and more.

How Virginia Law Addresses Liability for Dog Bites

In Virginia, negligence is an important factor in dog bite injury cases. The state uses what is known as a "one bite rule," since in most cases, a dog's owner may only be held liable for a dog bite if their dog had bitten someone in the past or if they were aware that the dog was aggressive or dangerous.

An owner may be considered to be negligent if they allowed an animal that they knew was dangerous to interact with others without taking the proper precautions. Failure to restrain a dog, keep a dog within a secure fence, or warn visitors to their property about the potential danger posed by the dog may be forms of negligence that could allow an owner to be held liable for injuries inflicted by their animal.

Evidence of prior incidents can be critical in these cases. Dog bites or attacks that were reported to local authorities, complaints made to animal control, veterinary records showing that there were behavioral concerns, and testimony from witnesses about a dog's history of aggression may show that the owner knew of the risks and did not take the proper actions to protect people. Our lawyers understand how to gather the necessary evidence, and we will work to ensure that a negligent dog owner will be held responsible for bite injuries.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Dog Bite Lawyers

An attack by a dog can lead to serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. A victim will need to determine what steps they can take to obtain compensation that will address the impact that a dog bite injury has had on their life. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our lawyers help injury victims hold negligent dog owners accountable for the harm they have suffered. We will work to secure the full compensation needed to recover from these traumatic situations. Contact our Manassas dog bite and animal attack attorneys at 703-392-6686 to set up a free consultation.