Dog Bites

West Virginia Dog Attack Lawyers

If you or your child was bitten or wounded by a dog, you may have a claim for compensation against the animal's owner. The attorneys of Angotti & Straface have helped many victims get the compensation they deserve for the medical bills and lasting physical and emotional damage caused by a dog bite.

Our Morgantown law firm represents victims of animal attacks in Monongalia County, the surrounding counties of north central West Virginia, and statewide. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discover your rights. If we take your case, there are no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you.

About Dog Bites in West Virginia

Most dog attacks occur off of the owner's premises, while the dog is running loose or when an owner fails to control the dog while out in public. Young children are the most common victims of dog bites — they often suffer serious bites to the face, arms and hands.

West Virginia law says that the owner is strictly liable for any injury when a dog is running loose, including an unleashed dog that attacks people as they pass the owner's property.

If the attack occurred on the owner's property, the owner may raise the "one free bite" defense. If the dog has not attacked before or shown vicious tendencies, it may be more difficult to win damages. Experienced trial attorneys John Angotti and David Straface are skilled at uncovering any prior bites or aggressive behavior to pin the liability on the owner.

We have helped clients recover compensation for medical bills, reconstructive surgery, disfigurement, nerve damage or rabies vaccinations. This includes not only dog bites, but claw wounds or injuries sustained while escaping. In cases of severe mauling or attacks on children, we have also collected damages for emotional trauma.

Contact proven personal injury lawyers who will fight for you. Call 304-564-6029 for a free case evaluation, including evenings or weekends by appointment.