Zanesville Dog Bite & Attack Attorneys

Dogs bite millions of Americans each year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. A dog bite or attack can leave you with painful injuries, infection risk, scarring, emotional trauma, missed work, and questions about who is responsible.

Typically, when a dog bites somebody, the dog owner’s home insurance may cover the victim’s losses, which can include medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. But when the owner does not have dog bite coverage, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against the owner. In Ohio, injuries and damages can also be sustained even if the dog didn’t physically bite you. For example, if a dog initiated a chain of actions that resulted in you getting injured without actually being bitten (i.e. running away from a dog and falling as a result).

Matters can become more complex if the owner doesn’t have insurance, and your only option is to file a lawsuit. It’s important to be compensated for your losses, especially when a dog bite or attack causes serious, disfiguring injuries. Filing a dog bite lawsuit without an attorney is not recommended. Our Zanesville dog bite attorneys can accurately evaluate the value of your claim and help build a case using experts to get you the compensation you deserve. 

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries as a result of an incident with a dog, contact our dog bite attorneys in Zanesville for a free case evaluation. During your free consult, we will go over the details of your case and let you know if we can help you pursue meaningful compensation. With law offices in both Zanesville and Cambridge, Ohio, we can assist clients with dog bite claims no matter where they reside in the state. Contact us today to get started.

Zanesville Dog Bite Attorneys Serving Cambridge And Muskingum County

Graham Law represents dog bite and dog attack victims in Zanesville, Cambridge, Muskingum County, and communities throughout Southeastern Ohio and the rest of the state. Whether the attack happened in a neighborhood, at a rental property, in a park, at a friend’s home, or while you were working, our Zanesville dog bite attorneys can help you understand the insurance issues, evidence, medical documentation, and legal deadlines that may affect your claim.

If you are unsure whether you have a case, it is still worth speaking with an Ohio personal injury attorney. A dog attack claim may involve the dog’s owner, a keeper, a harborer, a landlord, an insurance company, or another responsible party, depending on the facts.

An Overview of Strict Liability for Dog Bites in Ohio

The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 955.28 stipulates strict liability for dog bites. This means the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is generally liable for any injuries or damages caused by their dog, regardless of prior bite history or owners’ negligence. 

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as if the injured person was committing a criminal trespass or another criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor on the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog. This also refers to situations where the victim was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog before the incident took place.

In addition to dog owners, dog harborers or keepers are individuals who have control or custody of the dog for an extended period. They may be held liable in cases like this. Similarly, landlords may also be held liable if the landlord knew or should have known about a tenant’s dangerous dog and failed to take action.

Compensation Available for Dog Bite & Attack Survivors in Ohio

Compensation available for victims of dog bites includes both economic and non-economic losses, such as past and future medical expenses related to the bite wound and any subsequent medical treatments. Dog bite victims may also be eligible for lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as property damage (compensation for any property damaged by the dog, like clothing). 

It’s important to note that victims also have a responsibility to demonstrate liability. For example, they need to prove: 

1. That the bite occurred
2. That the dog belonged to the defendant in question
3. They sustained injuries as a result of the bite
4. The bite happened in a place where the victim had a legal right to be

There are nuances to proving a dog bite claim based on the unique circumstances of your case, so we recommend consulting with one of our Zanesville dog injury attorneys for legal help before taking action. 

Avery’s Law (2026) and Ohio Dog Attack Claims

As of March 20, 2026, House Bill 247, also known as Avery’s Law, made changes to Ohio’s dangerous and vicious dog laws. The civil strict liability rules in Ohio dog bite cases still matter, but the 2026 updates may affect how dangerous dogs are classified, how prior incidents are documented, and what evidence may be available after a serious attack.

This piece of legislation closes gaps in prior law and increases responsibilities and penalties for owners of dogs deemed a danger to the public. Primarily, the idea of “one free bite” for dogs no longer exists. Even a first serious attack can now lead to criminal consequences, and dogs with a documented history of dangerous behavior may be subject to stricter requirements, including insurance, registration, and confinement.

Ohio law also addresses quarantine and rabies-related procedures after a dog bite. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.261, the quarantine period for a dog that has bitten a person is generally ten days, or another period the local board of health determines is necessary. Reporting the attack and creating a clear record may help protect your health and preserve evidence for a potential claim. 

What to Do Following a Dog Bite Incident in Zanesville or Cambridge

At Graham Law, we have seen all types of dog bite claims. But the outcome of your claim heavily depends on what happens not just before the incident, but also after. Here are some steps our dog bite attorneys in Zanesville recommend taking immediately following a dog bite incident:

Step 1: Take photos or videos of the scene and injuries. While it might be difficult for you to do this when you’re injured, ask a witness or someone close by to assist with this task if you’re unable to do so.

Step 2: Gather names of witnesses and try to jot down some notes on the sequence of events and what happened. Sometimes, psychological injuries may stem from these types of incidents that may alter the way you recollect the incident, so the sooner you can make a note of what happened, the better.

Step 3: Seek medical attention. Dog bite injuries can be very serious, and, in some cases, you may need immediate urgent care. Medical records can also help connect your injuries to the attack if you decide to file a claim.

Step 4: File a police report. Depending on where the incident took place and the circumstances, we may also advise filing a report with the Department of Health, which may conduct its own investigation in cases where rabies may be involved.

Step 5: Speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in these cases. A dog bite attorney from Graham Law can make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Why Medical Records Matter In An Ohio Dog Bite Claim

Medical documentation can be one of the most important parts of a dog bite case. Treatment records may show the nature of the wound, whether stitches or surgery were needed, whether infection developed, whether scarring is expected, and how the injury affected your work and daily life. 

If the attack caused anxiety, nightmares, or fear around dogs, it is also important to tell your medical provider. 

Common Types of Injuries Stemming From Dog Bite Incidents

Here are some common types of injuries stemming from dog bite incidents:

• Puncture wounds
• Lacerations
• Fractures and broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Muscle damage
• Infections
• Psychological trauma
• Rabies
• Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
• Disfigurement

If you have sustained any of these injuries, contact our law firm today for a free case review. Our Zanesville dog bite attorneys can review what happened and help you understand whether you may have a claim.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After Being Bitten by a Dog in Ohio?

Dog bites can cause significant physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses when they happen. Under Ohio law, dog owners are strictly liable for damages caused by their pets in most cases. But what types of compensation are available to victims? 

You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact Graham Law to learn how we can help you pursue your claim.

Contact Our Zanesville Dog Bite Attorneys for a Free Case Review

Graham Law has decades of experience handling dog bite claims for residents of Ohio and Muskingum County. With an office in Zanesville and Cambridge, Ohio, our legal team is accessible across the state and can speak with you today for free if you’ve been bitten, attacked, or otherwise injured by a dog. 

Here are some common questions that we get asked.
Each legal case is unique, so we recommend you contact us for specific advice.