Toll Free
A dog attack can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Beyond the immediate pain, you may be facing emergency medical treatment, surgery, permanent scarring, missed time from work, and uncertainty about who should pay for it all.
A Virginia dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation from the responsible party.
At Tavss Fletcher, we have represented injured individuals and families throughout Hampton Roads since 1978. We help clients across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and surrounding communities navigate complex injury claims with experienced legal representation.
Our attorneys understand Virginia’s unique dog bite laws and know how to build strong cases supported by evidence, medical records, and thorough investigations. Contact our office today and learn about your legal options.
Key Facts a Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer Wants You to Know
Virginia doesn’t have a single law that makes every dog owner automatically liable for a bite. Here’s what a Virginia dog bite lawyer looks at when evaluating whether you have a claim.
Key Takeaways
- Most claims require proving the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies, such as prior bites, lunging, or complaints to animal control.
- A violation of a local leash law or animal control ordinance, like Norfolk’s, may support a negligence per se claim if the law was meant to protect people like you from that type of harm.
- Even without a known dangerous history, an owner can be liable under ordinary negligence for failing to use reasonable care, such as letting a dog run off leash where restraint is required.
- Virginia law generally gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit, so evidence like animal control records and witness statements is easier to gather the sooner you act.
What Is the Dog Bite Law in Virginia?
Virginia does not have a statewide statute that automatically makes every dog owner responsible whenever their dog bites someone. Instead, many claims are based on common-law principles requiring proof that the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities, although negligence theories may also apply.
Knowledge of Dangerous Propensities
Virginia dog bite law primarily focuses on whether the owner knew—or reasonably should have known—that the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies.
In addition to previous bites or attacks, evidence that may establish an owner’s knowledge includes:
- Attempts to bite people or other animals;
- Aggressive behavior such as lunging, snapping, or charging;
- Prior complaints made to animal control;
- The owner regularly restrains the dog because of aggressive behavior; or
- Statements made by the owner acknowledging that the dog was dangerous.
These cases often require substantial investigation. A Virginia dog bite attorney will gather veterinary records, animal control reports, neighborhood complaints, and witness testimony to establish what the owner knew before the attack occurred.
Recovering Takes Time. You Don’t Have to Go Through It Alone
A dog attack can leave you dealing with pain, medical bills, and a lot of uncertainty about what happens next. Our team is here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you feel supported as you take the next step.
Schedule A ConsultationNegligence Per Se
Virginia also recognizes the legal doctrine of negligence per se. In some situations, a dog owner’s violation of a state law or local ordinance may satisfy part of a negligence claim. For example, Norfolk and many other Virginia localities have leash laws and animal control ordinances requiring owners to keep dogs under control.
However, proving negligence per se involves more than showing the owner violated a law. The injured person generally must show that the ordinance was designed to protect a class of people that includes them, that it was intended to prevent the type of harm that occurred, and that the violation caused their injuries.
Because these requirements can be highly fact-specific, negligence per se claims often require a careful analysis of the applicable ordinance and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Negligence
Not every dog bite claim depends on proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous or violated a law. A dog owner may also be liable under ordinary negligence if they failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, and that failure caused the attack.
Unlike negligence per se, ordinary negligence does not require proof that the owner violated a statute or local ordinance. Instead, the focus is on whether the owner acted as a reasonably careful person would have.
For example, a dog owner who lets their dog run off leash in an area where local ordinances require restraint and fails to maintain reasonable control may be negligent if the dog suddenly bites another park visitor.
What Are the Complications of a Dog Bite Injury?
Depending on the force of the attack, the location of the bite, and the victim’s age, injuries can require extensive medical treatment and lead to long-term complications.
Common complications include the following.
Infection
Dogs carry bacteria in their mouths that can enter the body through even relatively small wounds. Without prompt medical treatment, infections may spread to surrounding tissue, the bloodstream, or even the bones. Some victims require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, or additional surgery to treat serious infections.
Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
Dog bites frequently affect the face, hands, arms, and legs. Deep lacerations may leave permanent scars, while severe attacks can require skin grafts or reconstructive surgery. Facial scarring is especially common among children because of their height relative to many dogs.
Nerve, Tendon, and Muscle Damage
A powerful bite can crush tissue beneath the skin. Damage to nerves, tendons, muscles, and ligaments may limit movement, reduce strength, or cause chronic pain long after the wounds have healed. Recovery often requires physical or occupational therapy.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Not every injury is visible. Many dog bite victims experience anxiety, depression, nightmares, or a lasting fear of dogs following an attack. Children may be especially vulnerable to emotional trauma that affects their daily activities and quality of life.
What Compensation Can I Recover from a Dog Bite Claim?
The compensation available depends on the severity of your injuries and how the attack has affected your life.
Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost income,
- Diminished earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of enjoyment of life,
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement,
- Anxiety, and
- Post-traumatic stress,
- Counseling expenses.
At Tavss Fletcher, our attorneys work with your medical providers and other professionals to determine the full extent of your damages. We pursue compensation that reflects not only your current losses but also the future impact the injury may have on your health, career, and quality of life.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Claim for a Dog Bite Injury?
In most cases, Virginia law gives you two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once that deadline passes, the court will likely dismiss your case.
While two years may sound like plenty of time, building a strong dog bite claim often begins much sooner. Animal control records, witness statements, photographs of the scene, and evidence of the dog’s prior behavior are often easier to obtain shortly after the attack.
Meeting with a dog bite injury attorney early allows these issues to be investigated while the evidence is still available.
Move Forward with Confidence by Contacting a Virginia Dog Bite Attorney
Recovering from a dog attack is challenging enough without having to navigate Virginia’s complex liability laws and insurance claims process on your own. At Tavss Fletcher, we take the time to understand your story, investigate what happened, and develop a legal strategy tailored to your case.
Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping you recover from this ordeal. Whether your case resolves through settlement negotiations or requires litigation, we are prepared to protect your interests every step of the way.
If you have been injured by a dangerous dog, contact Tavss Fletcher today to speak with a Virginia dog bite lawyer. We will explain your options, answer your questions, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Virginia Dog Bite Claims: Frequently Asked Questions
No. Virginia does not have a statewide statute that makes every dog owner liable whenever their dog bites someone. Most claims rely on common-law principles, requiring proof the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies, though negligence theories can also apply.
Evidence can include prior bites or attacks, aggressive behavior like lunging or snapping, past complaints to animal control, the owner regularly restraining the dog, or statements from the owner acknowledging the dog was dangerous. A dog bite attorney can gather records and witness testimony to build this proof.
Yes. You may still have a claim under ordinary negligence if the owner failed to use reasonable care, such as letting the dog off leash where local ordinances require restraint. This doesn’t require proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
You may be able to recover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring, and counseling costs, among other damages. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and how the attack has affected your life.
In most cases, Virginia law gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. Evidence tends to be easier to gather soon after the attack, so it helps to speak with a dog bite injury attorney early.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
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