How Much are Dog Bite Cases Worth: An Example
The Case
Within the last few weeks, Dr. Shannon J. Kaiser, a Baltimore dentist, agreed to a $115,000 settlement after suffering a dog attack in September of 2011. The agreement was made in response to counts of nuisance, strict liability, and negligence.
Case Number: 03C13004453
What Happened?
According to the Daily Record, Oliver, the 70-pound mixed breed, belonged to Frederic and Kimberly Bell, Kaiser’s former neighbors. Though the Bells were aware of their dog’s propensity towards violence, as he had previously nipped Kaiser’s eleven-year-old daughter, the dog was left unleashed in their unsecured backyard. Oliver ran to Kaiser’s yard as she was mowing her lawn, and despite the neighbors’ attempts to control the dog, Kaiser suffered bites to the forearm, legs, and hips. The dentist was taken to the hospital where she received stitches for her wounds. As a result of the four-minute attack, Kaiser has a fear of dogs, making it hard to enjoy time outside.
The Laws
Prior to 2012, owners were only liable for dog attacks if the plaintiff could prove that the owner had evidence of his dog’s dangerous behavior. Then, the Maryland Supreme Court ruled that owners were strictly liable for pit bulls because of their violent nature. Now, two years later, the Maryland General Assembly changed the standard back to breed-neutrality. The law states that all owners are liable for dog attacks, unless the owners are unaware of their dogs’ violent propensities.
The Lawyers
Plaintiff: Clay M. Barnes
Barnes is a personal injury lawyer based in Towson. Since 2007, Case Search reports he has had the following lawsuits: 15 motor tort claims, 14 other tort claims, 15 contract claims, 9 divorce claims, and 8 civil claims, among others. He is a general litigator.
Defense: Frank F. Daily
Daily is a partner at The Law Offices of Frank F. Daily, an eleven-attorney firm specializing in defense litigation. Since 2007, he has handled over 70 motor tort claims, 40 civil claims, and 25 other tort claims, among others. Daily has extensive appellate experience and has tried over 100 jury cases, including multiple lead paint and asbestos cases.
Local “Dog Bite” Plaintiff Lawyers
Bobby Zirkin
Zirkin is a partner at The Law Offices of Bobby Zirkin, representing clients in personal injury, tort, criminal, and divorce cases. Since 2010, Zirkin has represented clients in over 280 tort cases, 65 motor tort cases, 30 contract cases, 15 civil cases, and 10 divorce cases, among others.
Harold P. Dwin
Dwin is a partner at Cohen & Dwin, a 4-person firm specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal law. Since 2010, he has represented clients in 21 motor tort cases, 19 civil cases, and 10 workers’ compensation cases, among others.
Douglas T. Sachse
Sachse is part of a 3-person firm covering various types of law from injury to criminal and even corporate. Since 2010, Sachse has represented clients in more than 250 tort claims, and 30 contract claims, among others.
Jack D. Lebowitz
Lebowitz of Lebowits & Mzhen specializes in personal injury and death cases. Lebowitz has represented clients in more than 60 tort cases, 12 motor tort cases, and 3 civil cases.
Most Lawyers
The lawyers above were found by searching the Internet for dog bite lawyers in Maryland and Baltimore. Ultimately, virtually any injury lawyer can and would handle a dog bite case, assuming the injuries were severe enough. Generally speaking, the more severe the injuries, the more the case is worth.
Though there are specific issues in dog bite cases relating to the law, liability, and to finding insurance coverage, dog bites are simply another kind of personal injury case.