Roanoke Dog Bite Attorney

Legal Help After A Serious Dog Bite

Dog bites in the Roanoke area can lead to far more than a few scratches. Deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and scars are common. Many people, especially children, struggle with anxiety or fear long after the attack. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a dog here, you may not know where to turn or how you will afford the care you need.

At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we help people in Roanoke and across Virginia after unexpected injuries, including dog attacks. Since 1979, our firm has guided thousands of injured clients through some of the most difficult times of their lives, so they do not have to face insurance companies or legal rules on their own. Our goal is to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.

Our attorneys bring decades of Virginia injury experience, significant financial resources, and a local office in this city to every case we accept. We offer free consultations to people who have suffered injuries from dog bites, and we take the time to listen, answer questions, and explain your options in clear terms.

To discuss your situation with our team at Kalfus & Nachman PC, call (855) 880-8163 for a free consultation.

Virginia Dog Bite Law

Virginia does not follow a strict liability rule for dog bites in every case. Instead, the state applies a “one-bite rule” combined with negligence principles. This means an injured person must typically prove that the dog owner knew—or should have known—the dog was dangerous or had a history of aggressive behavior.

Key elements that may influence a dog bite claim in Virginia include:

• Evidence the dog previously showed aggression or bit someone
• The owner’s failure to restrain or control the dog
• Violations of leash laws or local animal control ordinances
• Negligence in supervising the animal

Even if a dog has never bitten anyone before, an owner may still be liable if they failed to act responsibly. For example, letting a dog roam freely in public or failing to secure a yard may create legal liability.

Local regulations in Roanoke and throughout Virginia may also play a role in determining fault. Animal control laws require responsible ownership and proper containment, and violations can strengthen an injury claim.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can cause severe injuries that often require immediate and ongoing medical care. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds
• Infections such as rabies or tetanus
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Broken bones from knockdowns or attacks
• Psychological trauma, including anxiety or PTSD

Children are particularly vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries due to their size and inability to defend themselves. Injuries to the face, neck, and hands are especially common and may require reconstructive surgery.

Who May Be Liable After a Dog Bite?

Determining liability is a critical step in a dog bite case. While the dog owner is often responsible, other parties may also share liability depending on the circumstances.

Potentially liable parties include:

• Dog owners
• Property owners or landlords who allowed a dangerous dog on the premises
• Caretakers or dog walkers
• Businesses that permitted unsafe conditions involving animals

A thorough investigation is often necessary to determine who is responsible and how the incident occurred. Witness statements, medical records, animal control reports, and photographs can all play an important role in building a claim.

Recovering Compensation After a Dog Bite in VA

Victims of dog attacks may be entitled to compensation for both financial and non-financial losses. A Roanoke dog bite attorney can help identify the full extent of damages and pursue recovery through insurance claims or litigation.

Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs

In many cases, dog bite claims are resolved through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. However, insurers may attempt to minimize payouts or deny liability. Legal representation can help ensure your claim is taken seriously and fairly evaluated.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

The actions you take following a dog bite can significantly affect your health and your legal case. Important steps include:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Report the incident to local animal control authorities.
3. Document injuries with photographs.
4. Gather contact information from witnesses.
5. Avoid discussing the incident with insurers before consulting an attorney.

Prompt action helps preserve evidence and establishes a record of the incident, which can strengthen your claim.

Dog Bite Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Virginia?

Virginia generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Failing to file within this timeframe may prevent you from recovering compensation.

What if the dog never bit anyone before?

You may still have a claim if the owner was negligent or failed to control the animal, even without a prior bite history.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If you are found even slightly at fault, it could impact your ability to recover compensation. Legal guidance is critical in these situations.

Are dog bite cases only about physical injuries?

No. Emotional trauma, psychological harm, and lasting fear can also be considered when determining compensation.

What if a child is bitten?

Children often have stronger claims because they may not be held to the same standards of responsibility as adults. These cases require careful handling to ensure full compensation for long-term impacts.

Why Injured Families Choose Our Firm

When families contact us after a dog attack, they are usually balancing urgent medical needs, worries about long-term scars or trauma, and stressful calls from insurance adjusters. They need more than a generic law firm name. They want a team that has been in Virginia courtrooms for years and understands how to build strong cases under our state’s laws.

Our firm was founded in 1979, and we have successfully handled thousands of personal injury and disability matters across the Commonwealth. That history matters because it means we have seen how insurance companies defend cases, how judges in this region handle injury claims, and what it often takes to document serious harm like disfigurement or infection from a bite. Over the decades, we have recovered millions and millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients, which shows our ability to pursue meaningful compensation when significant injuries are involved.

We approach every dog bite case as a unique situation rather than treating it as just another file. Our team works to understand exactly how the attack happened, how it has affected your health and daily life, and what your future care may look like. We use our financial resources to develop the claim, which can include working with doctors to fully describe injuries or with other professionals when liability is disputed. If an insurance company refuses to be fair, we are prepared to take cases into litigation and present your story in court.

Contact our firm today to let us help you secure compensation.