ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Dog Bite Injury Claims in Calvert, St. Mary's & Prince George's Counties
A Dog Bite Leaves More Than a Scar, and the Owner May Owe You for It
A serious bite can mean surgery, lasting scars, and real fear, especially for a child. Maryland law often puts responsibility on the dog's owner, and a homeowner's policy usually covers the claim. We handle the owner and the insurer so you can focus on healing.
Maryland Law Leans in the Injured Person's Favor
Maryland has a specific dog bite statute that makes a dog's owner responsible for injuries in many situations, and recent law has made it easier for bite victims to recover. The old idea that a dog gets "one free bite" no longer protects owners the way people think it does.
That said, these cases still have moving parts: who owned or controlled the dog, where the bite happened, whether you were lawfully there, and what the insurance covers. We sort all of it out, prove the harm you suffered, and pursue the full cost of your recovery, from the medical bills to the lasting effect of the scars.
Talk to an Injury LawyerWhat We Pursue for You
- Emergency care and follow up treatment
- Surgery and scar revision costs
- Lost income while you recover
- Pain, trauma, and lasting effects
- Future care a serious bite may require
Cases We Handle
The Bite Situations We See Most
If a dog hurt you or your child, there is a good chance we can help. Here is where bite victims turn to us most.
Child Bite Injuries
Children are bitten most often, and the injuries are frequently to the face and head. These cases deserve special care, including the lasting and emotional effects a child carries forward.
Serious & Disfiguring Bites
Deep bites can mean surgery, nerve damage, infection, and permanent scars. We make sure the claim reflects the full medical picture, not just the first hospital visit.
Bites by a Neighbor's Dog
Many bites come from a dog you or your family know. We handle the claim through the owner's insurance, so you can be made whole without a personal fight.
Bites on Another Person's Property
Whether you were a guest, a worker, or making a delivery, being lawfully on the property matters to your claim. We establish that and pursue the responsible party.
Bites in Public
A bite at a park, on a sidewalk, or in a store often comes down to whether the owner controlled the dog. We gather the witnesses and evidence to show what happened.
Other Dog-Related Injuries
Not every dog injury is a bite. A large dog that knocks someone down can cause serious harm too. If a dog hurt you, it is worth a call to find out where you stand.
How We Build a Dog Bite Claim
These cases are won on proof of what happened and proof of the harm. We gather both.
We Identify Who Is Responsible
The owner, a landlord, or whoever had control of the dog. We pin down responsibility and the insurance behind it.
We Document the Injury
Medical records, photos over time, and the treatment ahead. Scars and trauma are part of the harm, and we prove them.
We Handle the Insurer
You never have to negotiate with an adjuster. We take the calls and push for the full value of the claim.
We Prepare to Push
Fair offers usually come from claims built as if they would go to court. We get ready to do exactly that.
What to Expect
From First Call to Recovery
1
Free Case Review
Tell us what happened. We give you an honest read on your claim and what it may be worth, at no cost and no obligation.
2
We Investigate
We identify the owner and the insurance, gather records and photos, and find the witnesses while the details are fresh.
3
We Demand & Negotiate
We present the full value of your injury and push for a fair settlement, not the insurer's opening number.
4
Settlement or Court
Most bite claims settle once the case is built. If the offer is not fair, we are ready to take it further.
Common Questions
Answers Before You Call
Is the owner automatically responsible for a dog bite in Maryland?
Often, yes. Maryland law places significant responsibility on a dog's owner when the dog bites someone, and recent changes have made it easier for bite victims to recover. The specifics still depend on the facts, like where the bite happened and whether you were lawfully there, and we walk you through how the law applies to your situation.
The dog never bit anyone before. Does that protect the owner?
Not the way people think. The old "one free bite" idea no longer shields owners in Maryland the way it once did. An owner can be responsible even for a first bite. Whether the dog had a history can still matter to the case, but it is not the barrier many owners assume it is.
It was a friend's or neighbor's dog. Do I have to sue them personally?
Usually not in the way you fear. Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter insurance, which is exactly what that coverage is for. You can be made whole without taking money from someone you know personally. We handle the claim through the insurer.
What if my child was bitten?
Child bite cases deserve extra care. Children are bitten most often, the injuries are frequently to the face, and the emotional effects can last. We make sure the claim accounts for future treatment like scar revision and the lasting impact, not just the immediate bills.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
Maryland sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing injury claims. Waiting too long can end your claim entirely, and claims for children have their own timing rules. The safest move is to call early so no deadline slips by while you are focused on recovering.
What does it cost to hire a lawyer for a dog bite case?
For most injury cases, you pay nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means our fee comes from the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you do not owe a fee. We will explain exactly how it works at your free consultation.
Let's Talk About What Happened
You focus on healing. We will handle the owner and the insurer and fight for what you are owed. The first conversation is free, and for most cases you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Available 24/7 for urgent matters: 240-687-0179
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC
Fax: 301-627-5848
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