Upper Marlboro Dog Bite Attorneys

Call Our Firm If a Dog Bit You

If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, you may be able to file a dog bite injury claim to demand compensation for your injuries. Let Farmer & Klopfer and our dog bite attorneys in Upper Marlboro help you from start to finish, so you don’t get lost in the legal processes ahead. Dog bites can leave lasting physical and emotional scars, so it’s understandable if you are feeling low on energy. By putting our lawyers in your corner, you can find a way to hold the negligent dog owner accountable for what happened without adding any more stress to your life.

On This Page:

• Maryland Dog Bite Law
• How to Report a Dog Bite in Maryland
• Evidence to Preserve for a Dog Bite Case
• Common Dog Attack Injuries
• Damages for a Dog Bite Lawsuit
• Can You File a Claim If You Were on the Dog Owner’s Property?
• For Experienced Counsel, Contact Our Firm Now

Call our Upper Marlboro dog bite lawyers at (240) 245-2229 and ask for a free consultation.

Maryland Dog Bite Law

Maryland uses a strict liability rule for dog bites and similar animal attacks. Under this rule, it is possible to hold a dog owner liable for injuries caused by their pet in most situations, even for the first time the dog bites or shows aggression toward someone. In other words, Maryland does not have a “one bite law” that other states use.

Only a few situations may give the dog owner reduced liability, including if the injured person was:

• On the property illegally or trespassing;
• Committing a crime when they were bitten; or,
• Provoking or hurting the dog.

How to Report a Dog Bite in Maryland

To report a dog bite in Maryland, you should contact the local or regional Animal Services Division. In Upper Marlboro, which is part of Prince George’s County, the Animal Services Division hotline is 301-780-7200.

When you call the Animal Services Division to report the dog bite, try to provide this information:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Address where you were attacked
• Animal’s health (such as signs of rabies)
• Type of animal
• Basic animal description

By reporting the dog bite to the Animal Services Division, you can create strong evidence to use in your case later. The official government report can be used to verify that the attack happened and possibly why.

Evidence to Preserve for a Dog Bite Case

Other than the official report from the Animal Services Division, several other types of evidence could be useful for your dog bite claim. To succeed in a lawsuit against a dog owner, you will want to present as many concrete forms of evidence as possible. Our Upper Marlboro dog bite attorneys can handle the process of finding and using evidence to support your argument, so you don’t have to worry about those details.

Evidence that should be preserved or located in a dog bite case can include:

• Medical records: Obtain copies of all medical records associated with the dog bite, including any surgeries, prescriptions, or physical therapy treatments. These records can help demonstrate the severity of the injury and the extent of the damages sustained.
• Photographs and video footage: Take photographs and video footage of the area where the attack occurred, right after the incident, and document as much as possible the injuries sustained during the attack.
• Witness statements: Collect statements from witnesses who saw the attack and ask for their names and contact information. These statements can be invaluable in establishing that you were doing nothing wrong when the dog bite occurred.
• Insurance information: Find out if the dog owner has liability insurance, including homeowner’s, renter’s, or liability insurance policies. Such policies might be applicable for the damages caused by their pets, including if they attack someone.