Bethesda Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog attack can be one of the most traumatic and painful experiences a person can endure. In an instant, a friendly walk around the neighborhood or a visit with a friend can turn into a medical emergency involving serious wounds, infection risks, and emotional scars that last a lifetime. When an animal owner fails to control their dog, Maryland Injury Lawyers steps in to hold them accountable. Our Bethesda dog bite lawyers fight for victims and their families, making negligent owners and their insurance companies pay for the harm they’ve caused.
We don’t back down from tough cases or from the excuses owners and insurers make to avoid responsibility. If you or your child was bitten, knocked down, or attacked by a dog in Bethesda, our team is ready to stand up for you and demand justice.
Maryland Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability and Negligence
Maryland law provides two main paths for holding dog owners responsible for attacks: strict liability and negligence.
Under Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-1901, a dog’s owner is strictly liable if their dog injures someone while “running at large.” That means if the dog was off the owner’s property, not under their control, and not on a leash, the owner is presumed responsible for any injuries the dog causes. You don’t have to prove the owner was negligent; you only need to show that the dog caused the injury and was loose.
Even when the dog was on the owner’s property or under supervision, you may still bring a negligence claim by showing the owner failed to act as a reasonable person would. That could mean, for example, allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely, ignoring leash laws, failing to warn visitors of an aggressive animal, violating local animal control ordinances, or failing to properly train, restrain, or supervise the dog.
The key point: owners are responsible for their dogs. When they fail in that responsibility, they are liable for the consequences.
The “One Bite” Myth Is Gone
Many states used to follow the “one bite rule,” meaning an owner could escape liability for the first attack if they had no prior reason to think their dog was dangerous. Maryland used to be one of those states, but not anymore.
Today, even if the dog never bit anyone before, the owner can still be held responsible if they failed to control the animal or allowed it to run at large. The law no longer gives dog owners a free pass for the “first bite.”
That’s good news for victims, but insurance companies still try to twist the law to deny claims. They may argue the dog wasn’t “at large” or that you provoked the animal. That’s where having a skilled attorney makes all the difference.
Comparative Negligence and Common Defenses
Maryland’s harsh contributory negligence rule applies in dog bite cases just like in car accidents or slip and falls. If the insurance company can convince a court that you were even 1% responsible for the attack, you could lose your right to any compensation. They often claim the victim was teasing the dog, ignored warnings, or entered private property without permission.
Our Bethesda dog bite lawyers know how to fight back against these tactics. We gather evidence, witness statements, veterinary records, and animal control reports to show that the dog’s owner—not the victim—was responsible. We also use medical and behavioral experts when needed to prove that the dog acted unpredictably and that the victim did nothing to provoke the attack.
Common Injuries in Bethesda Dog Bite Cases
Dog attacks can cause devastating physical and emotional harm. Victims often require emergency treatment, multiple surgeries, or even reconstructive procedures. Children are especially vulnerable because of their size and tendency to play near animals at face level.
Common injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Nerve damage or torn muscles and tendons
- Broken bones from being knocked down or mauled
- Facial disfigurement and scarring
- Infections, including rabies, tetanus, or MRSA
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares, and anxiety
Scarring and disfigurement can be permanent reminders of the attack, affecting not only physical health but also self-esteem and confidence. Our firm works closely with medical professionals to calculate the full extent of your losses—both physical and emotional—so your settlement reflects the real damage done.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Dog Bite or Animal Attack
While the dog’s owner is usually the primary defendant, liability can sometimes extend further. Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue claims against:
- Property owners or landlords who knew about a dangerous animal and failed to take action
- Dog walkers, sitters, or handlers who were responsible for supervising the animal at the time
- Homeowners or renters insurance companies covering the property where the attack occurred
- Kennels or pet boarding facilities that failed to provide proper restraint or supervision
Maryland law is clear: anyone responsible for controlling the dog at the time of the attack may be held liable if they were negligent in doing so.
The Emotional Toll of Dog Attacks
Dog attacks don’t just cause physical injury; they can leave lasting emotional scars. Many victims, especially children, develop intense fear or anxiety around animals, nightmares, or panic attacks. Parents often feel guilt and helplessness watching their child recover from such trauma.
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we take these emotional injuries seriously. They are just as real as the physical ones, and you deserve compensation for them. We make sure insurance companies don’t dismiss emotional distress or psychological trauma as “minor.” When appropriate, we bring in therapists and psychologists to document the emotional impact and include it in the claim.
The Role of Animal Control and Local Ordinances
Montgomery County has strict leash laws and dangerous dog regulations. Dogs must be leashed when off their owners’ property, and owners must immediately clean up after their pets. If a dog has shown aggression, the county can classify it as “potentially dangerous” or “dangerous,” requiring special precautions such as fencing, muzzling, or insurance coverage.
After an attack, Animal Services investigates the incident, may quarantine the dog, and can issue citations or order the animal removed from the home. Our lawyers obtain these records as evidence of negligence and to establish a history of aggression or noncompliance with county law.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Claim
Dog bite cases may seem straightforward, but they rarely are. Most homeowners’ insurance companies immediately go into defense mode when a claim involves an animal. For instance, they may argue the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog, or they may dispute the severity of the injury or emotional harm. Insurers might claim the bite didn’t cause the scarring or medical condition you’re experiencing, and they may even delay or deny payment altogether.
Without aggressive legal representation, victims often walk away with a fraction of what their case is worth. Our firm has the resources to investigate fully, hire experts, and take the case to trial if that’s what it takes to get results.
Compensation for Bethesda Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite victims in Maryland can recover full compensation for their injuries and losses, including medical bills and future treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and trauma, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a child was injured, we also make sure to account for future impacts, such as ongoing therapy, developmental setbacks, and the emotional toll of visible scarring.
Bethesda’s Dog Parks and Public Spaces
Dog attacks often happen in public areas where owners fail to maintain control. In Bethesda, that might include parks such as Cabin John Regional Park, Norwood Local Park, or Lynbrook Dog Park, where off-leash activity is allowed only within designated areas. Even in dog-friendly zones, owners must comply with park rules and leash requirements. If they don’t and someone gets hurt, they can be held legally and financially accountable.
Call Maryland Injury Lawyers After a Dog Attack in Bethesda
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we fight for victims of dog bites and animal attacks in Bethesda. We understand Maryland’s dog bite laws, local ordinances, and insurance tactics inside and out. We won’t let negligent owners or insurers minimize your pain or blame you for what happened.
If you or your child was attacked by a dog in Bethesda, call Maryland Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
We take dog attacks seriously—because they change lives. Let us make sure yours is not defined by this one violent moment.
