Every person in the USA has been the victim of a dog bite or aggression for at least one time in their lives. The truth is that dogs are territorial beings, and you can never know what they consider to be their private territory or how they react when you trespass. Each year, over 45 million people get bitten by dogs and the hospitals are full with patients requiring medical attention as a result of a dog bite-related injury.
The dog bite liability in Maryland is not set in stone, and this is why, sometimes, it can be impossible to get compensation for this type of personal injury without the help of a dog bite attorney in Annapolis.
The answer to that question is yes. While a couple of years ago the dog bite law in Maryland was not very clear, in 2014, the law was revised. According to the new set of rules, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for all injuries if the dog was free when it attacked you. The good news is that you will not have to prove negligence or fault of the owner, because the term of strict liability means that, according to the law, the owner was already aware that their pet can be dangerous.
The bad news is that the owner can avoid liability by proving that they didn't know the dog was aggressive. But it is very difficult for a dog owner to demonstrate they had no clue their animal was aggressive towards people so, with the help of dog bite injury lawyer in Annapolis, you should have a valid claim.
While you don't have to prove the owner's negligence under the new set of laws, you will have to demonstrate that it wasn't your fault if the owner chooses to blame you as a defence strategy. If you were bitten in a public space, the case is less complicated because the owner will not be able to appeal to the concept of trespassing. If you were bitten on the owner's private property, it could get difficult.
Even if you were in a public space, the owner might accuse you of provoking the animal, in which case you will need to prove your innocence. According to Maryland's dog bite law, if the jury believes that you were partially responsible for the injury (even 1% at fault), you will not get any compensation.
What you need to do to maximize your chances of winning a dog bite lawsuit in Annapolis is to contact a specialized personal injury lawyer that can help build a strong and compelling case for you. Also, remember that you have only three years to bring such a case to court. Otherwise, you will not be able to file a lawsuit against the dog's owner.
If you have been bitten by a dog, don't lose any time! Get proper treatment, receive the medical certificate and contact us at (443) 569-3950 for a free consultation. We will assess your situation and let you know what to do next to receive the compensation you are entitled to for your dog bite-related injury.
