Practice Areas

Dog Bites

West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer

While most dogs are friendly, some are not. In 2001, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 368,245 people were treated for dog bites. Children, especially boys, ages 5 to 9, are at the highest risk of needing emergency room care as a result of a dog bite. At Wilson, Frame, Benninger & Metheney, PLLC, our dog bite lawyers are committed to ensuring people in West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania receive optimal compensation for injuries resulting from dog bites.

A Respected West Virginia Dog Bite Law Firm

When most people think of dog bites they picture a cartoon dog biting someone's leg or a puppy nipping at your heel. In truth, most dog bites requiring medical attention involve facial injuries. The medical costs associated with dog bites can be very high. Facial wounds, especially to children, can require multiple surgeries over several years. Even initial emergency room visits can be extremely expensive.

Often dog bites go unreported since victims believe that there is no possibility to recover damages. However, most homeowners insurance covers dog bites. Nonetheless, it is never a good idea to settle a West Virginia dog bite claim with an insurance company without first contacting an attorney. Insurance companies often consider only the current medical costs of a dog bite injury, ignoring future consequences.

Dog bite injuries can cause long-term physical, financial, and emotional damage. Severe scaring can cause children to be self-conscious and ostracized by peers. Dog bites can also result in lifetime phobias. Our West Virginia injury lawyers take all these factors into consideration when handling a dog bite case.

West Virginia Dog Bite Statutes

West Virginia has complex dog statutes, forbidding people to own vicious dogs, while at the same time providing an additional licensing fee for people who knowingly keep dangerous dogs.

• § 19-20-20. Keeping vicious dogs; humane officers may kill such dogs
  Except as provided in section twenty-one of this article, no person shall own, keep or harbor any dog known by him to be vicious, dangerous, or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons, whether or not such dog wears a tag or muzzle. Upon satisfactory proof before a circuit court or magistrate that such dog is vicious, dangerous, or in the habit of biting or attacking other persons or other dogs or animals, the judge may authorize the humane officer to cause such dog to be killed.
• § 19-20-21. License fee for keeping vicious or dangerous dog
  Any person, who keeps a dog which is generally considered to be vicious, for the purpose of protection, shall acquire a special license therefore from the county assessor. The assessor shall charge ten dollars for such license. Such license shall be required in addition to the license required under section two of this article. The keeper or owner shall properly secure such dog in such a manner so as to prevent injury to a person who lawfully passes through or enters upon the property of the keeper or owner. Nothing contained in this section shall constitute a defense to any action for personal injury, wrongful death, or damage to property.

Dogs Most Likely to Bite

While any breed of dog has the potential to bite, the Centers for Disease Control lists the following dogs as more likely to cause serious injuries than others:

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• German shepherds
• Huskies
• Alaskan Malamutes
• Doberman Pinschers
• Chows
• Great Danes
• Saint Bernards
• Akitas

Regardless of the breed, Wilson, Frame, Benninger & Metheney, PLLC, has the skill and experience to effectively handle personal injury cases resulting from dog bites.

Contact Our West Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers

The dog bite attorneys at Wilson, Frame, Benninger & Metheney, PLLC, represent clients throughout West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. Our firm offers free initial consultations, 24-hour legal service, and contingency fee arrangements on dog bite cases.

If you or a family member has been injured by a vicious animal, please contact our dog bite lawyers for a free initial consultation. Our attorneys can be reached toll free at 1-800-734-7070, by e-mail, or by filling out the intake form on the Contact Us page.

The offices of Wilson, Frame, Benninger & Metheney, PLLC, are located in Morgantown, West Virginia. We serve clients throughout West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania, including the cities of Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Kingwood, Elkins, and Grafton.