A dog attack can happen without warning, whether you are on a walk through Edgewater Park, outside a neighbor’s home in Tremont, or while hanging out in Ohio City. What starts as an ordinary day can suddenly become a traumatic experience that leaves you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and lasting emotional distress.
Cleveland sees an alarming number of dog bites each year, contributing to the overall high totals for the entire state. Those totals would be higher, but the reality is that many incidents in Cuyahoga County go unreported.
If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Cleveland, you have legal rights. The premises liability attorneys at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy are here to help you understand your options and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Ohio’s Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability Protects Victims
Dog bites are more common than many people realize. According to the United States Postal Service, Cleveland ranked seventh among U.S. cities for dog bite incidents in 2024, with 40 reported attacks on mail carriers alone.
One of the most important things to know after a dog attack in Ohio is that the law strongly favors injured victims. Under Ohio Revised Code § 955.28(B), a dog’s “owner, keeper, or harborer” is strictly liable for any injuries or property damage caused by the animal—meaning an injured person does not need to prove that the dog’s owner acted negligently.
Unlike many other states that follow a “one bite rule” (where an owner may escape liability the first time their dog bites someone), Ohio dog owners can be held accountable even if their dog had no history of prior aggression.
Defenses Dog Owners May Raise
While Ohio’s strict liability law is powerful, dog owners and their insurance companies will often look for ways to minimize or deny your claim. The main defenses available under Ohio law are that:
- The victim was trespassing on the owner’s property.
- The victim was committing a criminal offense at the time of the attack.
- The victim was actively provoking the dog.
If you believe any of these arguments might be raised in your case, it’s all the more important to speak with an experienced attorney who can push back on these tactics and protect your right to compensation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Cleveland
The steps you take immediately after a dog attack can have a significant impact on both your health and your legal claim. If you or a loved one has been bitten, here’s what to do:
- Seek medical attention right away. Even wounds that appear minor can become seriously infected. Dog bites carry a risk of bacterial infections, nerve damage, and other complications that may not be immediately visible.
- Identify the owner and any witnesses. Note the owner’s name, address, and contact information, and ask whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. Collect contact information from any witnesses as well.
- Report the bite to Cleveland Animal Control. You can report an animal bite to Cleveland Animal Control by calling (216) 664-3069. Filing an official report creates a permanent record of the incident and triggers an investigation into the dog’s history and vaccination status.
- Report to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. All dog bites should be reported to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health within 24 hours of the incident. Ohio law also requires any dog that has bitten someone to be quarantined for 10 days.
- Call the police for serious attacks, particularly those involving severe injuries or children. A police report creates official documentation that carries weight with insurance companies and in court.
- Document everything. Photograph your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog if possible. Keep records of all medical treatment, expenses, and any communications with the dog’s owner or their insurer.
- Contact an attorney before speaking with insurance companies. Dog owners’ insurers may contact you quickly after an attack in an attempt to settle your claim for far less than it’s worth.
Cleveland-Area Hospitals Treating Dog Bites
Serious dog bite injuries may require emergency care or specialist treatment. Cleveland is home to many excellent facilities, including:
- MetroHealth Medical Center: Offers a Level I Trauma Center and is well-equipped to treat severe lacerations and infections
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center: Another Level I Trauma Center with comprehensive surgical capabilities, including access to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital for pediatric victims
- Cleveland Clinic Main Campus: Operates a full emergency department and a wide range of specialists, including surgeons well-versed in treating dog bite injuries
- Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital: A Level II Trauma Center, providing a high level of critical care
- Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital: Another Level II Trauma Center and the only one on Cleveland’s West Side
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from surface-level wounds to severe, life-altering trauma. Some of the most common injuries we see in dog bite cases include:
- Deep lacerations and puncture wounds
- Infections, including Pasteurella, staph, and in rare cases, rabies
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Broken bones, particularly in the hands, arms, and face
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in severe attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological trauma, which is especially common in child victims
- Wrongful death in the most catastrophic cases
Who Is Most at Risk?
Dog bites affect people of all ages, but certain groups face elevated risk. Children are disproportionately represented among serious dog bite victims—they are smaller, less able to defend themselves, and may not recognize warning signs of aggression.
Delivery workers, mail carriers, and other professionals who regularly visit residential properties also face significant exposure, as Cleveland’s USPS ranking makes clear.
Nationally, an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur each year, and the average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay is approximately $18,200.
Compensation Available to Dog Bite Victims in Cleveland
If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, you may be entitled to financial compensation for a wide range of losses. Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, wound care, and any ongoing rehabilitation or reconstructive procedures
- Lost wages for time missed from work, and lost earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term limitations
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack
- Scarring and disfigurement, which can carry significant value in dog bite cases given the permanent and visible nature of many injuries
- Psychological trauma, including therapy costs and compensation for PTSD and anxiety
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one died as a result of a dog attack
Under Ohio’s comparative negligence rule, your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault—for example, if the dog owner argues you provoked the animal. However, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, you can still recover damages. Our attorneys know how to counter these arguments and ensure fault is assessed fairly.
Contact Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Today
A dog attack can leave physical and emotional wounds that take a long time to heal. You shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence while you recover. At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our experienced Cleveland premises liability attorneys know how to build strong dog bite cases, stand up to insurance companies, and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to help you and your family move forward.
