Unfortunately, doctors nationwide have had to administer millions of vaccines since then. The inoculation for rabies may have come a long way technologically, but it can still be very painful and expensive.

Bites from strange animals are the most common reason for people to require the vaccine. It’s very important to report ANY bites received from a strange animal and to seek medical attention immediately. If the animal is with another person, be sure to get that person’s contact information (here’s why).

No matter how well you supervise your children at the park or how sturdy your neighbor’s fence is, you may not be able to prevent dog bites all the time. So how do you deal with it when it happens?

Aside from reporting the bite, seeking medical attention, and getting the animal owner’s contact information, there may be other steps you want to take. For truly serious bites, you may want to consult an experienced attorney to try and negotiate some sort of settlement before speaking to an insurance adjuster. Even if you don’t think you have a case, you can always request a copy of my free book, An Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia.

Dog bite claims in Virginia can be tricky, because so much will depend on where the bite happened. Virginia as a whole is a “one-bite” state, which means that the dog’s owner may be protected from liability, unless they have known dangerous propensity of the dog, meaning they know the dog has bitten someone before, etc.
BUTthat’s just for Virginia as a whole. You could still show that the dog owner was negligent in allowing the dog to bite.

For example, many counties and municipalities have “leash laws,” meaning that dog owners must keep their animals on a leash, and can be considered negligent if they aren’t doing so. Leash laws will differ by city, so you will want to check with your local law enforcement.

Dog bites can be a tricky area of the law to deal with. If you or a loved one is experiencing the aftermath and added medical expense of a dog bite, contact The Parrish Law Firm for a free initial consultation before you speak with an insurance adjustor.

According to Lynchburg officials, the child was playing in the yard while the his mother and a babysitter were inside.

William Faust, Animal Warden, states that a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog bit the child several times, causing numerous puncture wounds, however no serious lacerations.

Animal control officers impounded the dog so it can be evaluated for disease. However, they have not been able to determine the cause of the attack.

The child was lucky, in this case, because officers were quickly called to the scene and able to apprehend the attacking dog. This is not always the case.

If the dog had not been found, the toddler would need to be tested for a battery of diseases, including rabies (the test for which can be very painful).

As of Wednesday, officers had not yet been able to speak with the dog’s owners.

In this case, the child’s injuries were very minor. However, in another situation, he may have been entitled to larger damages, including having his medical bills covered by the dog owner’s (or their insurance company).

In fact, in Virginia, most homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies will cover their dog, regardless of the breed or the location of the attack.

When dealing with your (or someone else’s) insurance company, it’s best to know exactly what your rights are. Remember, you are not always required to give a statement to a claims adjustor right away.

For more information on dog bite claims and dealing with the resulting insurance claim messes, request a free copy of my book, “The Virginia Dog Bite Book.”

Even if you haven’t been bitten by a dog, or are simply a dog owner, it never hurts to be informed of your rights ahead of time.

Typically, if an owner is present when their animal attacks, they will feel guilty and be more willing to work with you. Get all the information you can from them—their contact and insurance information, as well as the dog’s medical history.

Dan Roman, of Lovettsville, VA, learned this the hard way. When his daughter Maya was bitten by a dog named Hunter in the park on Sunday, Roman was shaken, but didn’t get the contact info he needed.

Roman told the Frederick News Post that his four-year-old daughter stopped to pet a leashed dog, sitting with a couple at an outdoor table at Beans in the Belfry. When his daughter stopped to pet the dog, he lunged and bit her.

“It wasn’t a real hard bite at all,” Roman said. Roman said the dog had tags on his collar, and that the owners were very upset (and bought Maya a brownie) and assured him their dog was current on shots.

However, a day later, the puncture marks from the bite were slightly infected. Because the dog bite was not reported at the time of the incident, there is no way of knowing if the dog was actually current on his shots. Maya will have to undergo treatment for rabies as a precaution, which will involve a very painful intramuscular shot of serum.

Dog bite claims can be tricky. Before you speak with an insurance adjustor or hire an attorney (believe it or not—you may not need to!), contact The Parrish Law Firm and request your FREE copy of the Virginia Dog Bite Book.

The study is geared to children between the ages three and six. “This is not a small problem,” said David Schwebel, professor and vice chairman of the psychology department at UAB.

“Dog owners love their dogs and think their dogs are very safe,” Schwebel said. “A huge portion of dogs are safe. But if they get provoked the wrong way, they will bite.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, dogs bite about 4.5 million Americans per year, with several further cases going unreported.

Children can be especially susceptible to dog bites., according to the CDC. Dogs don’t typically “just snap,” according to an ABC News report, and a number of common behaviors can get children bitten. Hugging tightly around the neck, tail-pulling and ear-touching are just a few of these habits.

The nonverbal Blue Dog software program presents children with choices to make in various situations involving dogs. In one scenario, a dog is eating. The child selects whether to play with the dog, or to leave it alone.

In another, the child chooses whether to play with its own toy or with the dog’s toy. If the child makes the wrong choice, the Blue Dog will exhibit typical warning behavior—growling and baring teeth. The computer tells the child they have made the wrong choice without actually showing the consequences. When the dog growls, the cartoon child will, however, appear scared, reinforcing to the child they made the wrong decision.

UAB researchers are hoping to see the child exhibit safer interactions with dogs after playing the game, for example petting the dog on the back instead of the face.

If you or a child you know has been bitten by a dog, you probably have a lot of questions about what the next move should be. Before you speak with an insurance company, know your rights. Request a copy the Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia from the Parrish Law Firm.

The Belgian Malinois was on training when it bit the child in the domestic baggage claim area at Dulles. The child sustained a bite to the abdomen and lacerations.

As the reason for this dog attack is unclear, Kelly Ivahnenko of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reports that dog bites are uncommon for CBP patrol dogs and they will investigate the matter to prevent this from happening again.

More stories on the Dulles Airport Dog Attack:

• NBC4 Washington, D.C. – Four-Year-Old Bitten by Dog at Dulles –
  The girl’s injuries were described as lacerations
• WTOP – Customs dog bites child at Dulles
• JustDogBites.com – Belgian Malinois Information

Get the facts about dog bite claims and request a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia which is FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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]]> http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/u-s-customs-dog-bites-child-at-dulles-airport-virginia-dog-bite-attorney/feed/ 1 http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/florida-toddler-killed-by-aunts-rottweiler-at-birthday-party/ http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/florida-toddler-killed-by-aunts-rottweiler-at-birthday-party/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:14:18 +0000 admin http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/?p=1558 New Port Richey, Florida
Dallas Walters was attending a birthday party at his aunt’s home on December 12, 2009 when his aunt’s Rottweiler attacked and killed him. The 20-month-old toddler was reaching for a cookie when the Rottweiler attacked. Although Dallas Walters’ father tried to stop the vicious dog attack, the injuries the toddler sustained by the Rottweiler ultimately took his life.

This tragedy should remind us that small children are extremely vulnerable to dog bites and dog attacks even by dogs that are familiar with the child. In the midst of the holiday season, parties held in a dog’s home can cause great stress on the dog as there are strangers invading his territory. If you have a party in your home especially when children are in attendance, it is important to confine the dog away from the party and guests.

Articles on this story:
ABC Action News – Dad: Toddler killed by dog ‘filled with love’
Boston Herald – Fla. Boy killed in dog attack

Get the facts about dog bite claims and request a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia which is FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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]]> http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/florida-toddler-killed-by-aunts-rottweiler-at-birthday-party/feed/ 0 http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/pit-bull-kills-toddler-in-orange-county-virginia/ http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/pit-bull-kills-toddler-in-orange-county-virginia/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:15:08 +0000 admin http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/?p=1364 The Charlottesville Daily Progress is reporting that on September 27, 2009 in Orange County, Virginia, a 23-month-old girl was mauled to death by the family dog, a pit bull, while unsupervised at home.

Jim Parrish, founder and principle attorney of the Parrish Law Firm in Manassas, Virginia represents victims of dog bites and attacks and was noted in the article as stating that children are the most vulnerable victims often by a familiar dog. In fact 80% of attacks are by dogs familiar to the victim to include the family pet according to The Humane Society of the United States. It is also important to keep in mind that a docile dog regardless of breed can suddenly attack without warning.

Most of the time it’s the first time the dog has ever attacked a person or other animal. – Jim Parrish, Esquire

The following video offers helpful tips to teach your child to reduce the chances of being attacked by a dog.

The Humane Society also offers dog bite prevention tips in their article Teaching Your Child to Avoid Dog Bites.

Additional articles about dog bites and attacks:

• Dog Bites Account for 1/3 of All Homeowners’ Insurance Liability Claims
• Small Children Are Often Victims of Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
• What Labels a Dog as Vicious or Dangerous?

Get the facts about dog bite claims and request a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia which is FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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]]> http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/pit-bull-kills-toddler-in-orange-county-virginia/feed/ 0 http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/dog-bites-account-for-13-of-all-homeowners-insurance-liability-claims/ http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/dog-bites-account-for-13-of-all-homeowners-insurance-liability-claims/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:32:02 +0000 admin http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/?p=1277 The Insurance Information Institute is reporting that dog bite claims are rising and are now one-third (1/3) of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims at an average of $24,000 per claim. Insurance companies are nervous as this upward trend in dog bite claims cost an astonishing $387 million in 2008. Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, has been quoted as stating,

The rise in dog bite claims over the course of the past five years can be attributable to the increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards, which have risen well above inflation in recent years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 4,500,000 dog bites a year with 900,000 of the dog bites requiring medical treatment from minor scratches to reconstructive surgery. The CDC advises that dog bites are preventable and precautions can be taken to significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Please review helpful tips on how to prevent dog bites and dog attacks at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) website.

Get the facts about dog bite claims and request a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia which is FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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]]> http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/dog-bites-account-for-13-of-all-homeowners-insurance-liability-claims/feed/ 0 http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/what-labels-a-dog-as-vicious-or-dangerous/ http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/what-labels-a-dog-as-vicious-or-dangerous/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:29:17 +0000 admin http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/?p=1177 Fairfax County Animal Control does not automatically label a dog as vicious or dangerous just because of its breed. A dog must exhibit certain behaviors before being labeled as vicious or dangerous which according to Fairfax County Animal Control include:

Vicious dogs pertain to a canine or canine crossbreed that has:

• Killed a person
• Inflicted serious injury to a person, including multiple bites, serious disfigurement, serious impairment of health, or serious impairment of bodily function
• Continued to exhibit behavior that resulted in a previous finding by a court that it is a dangerous dog

Dangerous dogs include any canine or canine crossbreed that has:

• Bitten
• Attacked
• Inflicted injury on a person or companion animal
• Killed a companion animal

If a dog has been labeled as dangerous by authorities in Virginia by any of the above listed behaviors, the dog owner is required to, among other things, register the dog within the residing county and pay associated fines.   You may check the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry if you are concerned that a dog residing near you has been “labeled” by authorities as dangerous.

Get the facts about dog bite claims and request a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia which is FREE to Virginia residents.

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The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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]]> http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/what-labels-a-dog-as-vicious-or-dangerous/feed/ 1 http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/small-children-are-often-victims-of-dog-bites-and-dog-attacks/ http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/small-children-are-often-victims-of-dog-bites-and-dog-attacks/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:20:00 +0000 admin http://blog.theparrishlawfirm.com/?p=929 July 16, 2009
Indianapolis, Indiana
Will the real pit bull please stand up? A dog bit off a four-your-old girl’s nose and a battle to determine which dog (or should we say pit bull) attacked her is underway. Tracy Crisler owns the home where the dog bite occurred and insists that her pit bull Sierra would have not have attacked the girl as she visits the home on a regular basis. Crisler further places the blame for the dog bite attack on a neighbor’s pit bull named Coffee. The neighbor, Sonia Ocampo, argues that her dog Coffee is not aggressive and not guilty of the dog attack – so a neighborly feud begins. However, police believe they have the right dog and have cited Tracy Crisler for the attack.

July 21, 2009
Jessamine County, Kentucky
MSNBC has reported that a family dog grabbed a three day old newborn from his crib and drug the baby approximately 200 yards into the woods away from the baby’s home. The newborn is in critical condition with bruises and dog bites where the dog grabbed him.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Parrish Law Firm wants to remind everyone that small children should not be left unsupervised with a dog as they are often targets of dog bite attacks. Even when a dog is normally docile and familiar with the child, a dog may misinterpret a child’s play and will react instinctively by attacking.

If you or your child is a victim of a dog bite or dog attack, get a copy of The Insider’s Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Virginia to learn what insurance companies do not want you to know about your dog bite claim. This guide is FREE to Virginia residents.

The Parrish Law Firm
10620-C Crestwood Drive – Manassas, Virginia 20109
(571) 229-1800

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