Dog Bites

Timonium-Lutherville Dog Bite Attorney

Fighting For Those Who Have Been Injured By a Dog in Baltimore - Spanish Translation Available

Dog bite injuries can be very concerning. However, Maryland holds dog owners strictly liable for any damages (bites) their dogs incur. If you have been injured to some capacity by a dog bite, there are a couple of ways you can sue the dog owner. The Law Office of Justin A. Wallace is a trial firm that can help you build a strong and effective case for civil court. Timonium-Lutherville Dog Bite Attorney Justin A. Wallace will provide the personalized attention you deserve on your Maryland dog bite case and guide you efficiently through the legal process as you make your claim for damages.

Schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Justin A. Wallace online or call (410) 996-4488 to get started with a dog bite lawyer in Timonium-Lutherville.

Dog Bite and Behavior Laws in Maryland

The Code of Maryland Section 3-1901 establishes that the dog owner is liable for any “injury, death, or loss to person or property” that their dog causes. This law concerns injuries inflicted by any dog-related behavior, not only dog bites.

However, the dog owner is not liable for damages if the injured party was doing any of the following:

  • provoking, abusing, teasing, or tormenting the dog;
  • trespassing or attempting to trespass on the dog owner’s territory;
  • committing or attempting to commit a crime on the owner’s property or against another person.

Maryland Strict Liability and Negligence

Maryland handles dog bite cases under the “strict liability” rule, which states that the dog owner is liable for all damages caused by their dog, whether or not the dog owner knew their dog would act aggressively and even if they took reasonable actions to prevent the dog from causing injuries. The law also presumes that, if a dog has previously injured or killed someone, the dog owner consequently should have known their dog was dangerous. So, if the court finds that the dog has harmed someone in the past, they will presume that the dog owner knew the dog would do so again (unless the dog owner can prove otherwise).

An injured plaintiff may also sue on the grounds of negligence if not strict liability. In order to bring forward a negligence claim, the plaintiff must show that the dog owner had a duty to use reasonable care but breached that duty (e.g., the dog owner failed to properly restrain their dog), and this breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

What are the Criminal Penalties for Dog Owners?

Dog bite cases may not only be civil matters but also criminal. If the dog is classified as a “dangerous dog,” the dog bite or other injury will result in criminal penalties against the dog owner. The Code of Maryland Section 10-619 defines a “dangerous dog” as a dog that has killed or inflicted severe injury on someone without provocation or that was classified as “potentially dangerous” but then:

  • bit someone;
  • killed or injured another domestic animal; or
  • attacked without being provoked.

Any violation of the above will result in misdemeanor penalties of up to $2,500 in fines and possible jail time for the dog owner.

Note that individuals are legally allowed to keep dangerous dogs – but only if they take the required precautions to care for the dog. Maryland law requires owners of dangerous dogs to abide by a number of laws, including keeping the dog on their property, restraining the dog when it goes off the property, and putting a muzzle on the dog when it’s around others. Failing to follow any of these rules constitutes a criminal misdemeanor.

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Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Our Clients
  • $1,000,000 Negligent Failure to Warn
  • $605,115 Slip & Fall
  • $500,000 Pedestrian Accident
  • $425,000 Forklift Accident
  • $306,179.53 Pedestrian Accident
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    Client Reviews

    Providing Detailed Attention On Every Case
      "Friendly, professional and detail oriented."
      Justin is a go-getter! He takes his time and explains everything that's taking place with your case. He is very friendly, professional, and detail-oriented. I know I had a million questions and he answered every one with no hesitation.
      - Anissa, Former Client
      "Result was well beyond my comprehension!"
      I can't stress enough how this team made me feel like I and my injuries mattered to them. The effort given to the details of my case was amazing and the result was well beyond my comprehension.
      - Chuck, Former Client
      "Justin is the rare breed of lawyer!"
      Justin is the rare breed of lawyer who is compassionate towards his clients and tenacious in fighting for compensation. And I would not want to be the insurance lawyer going up against him in a courtroom.
      - Adam, Former Client
      "They truly care about their clients."
      I highly recommend this law firm for any of your legal needs.
      - Former Client
      "When you're hurt, it's good to have someone fighting on your side."
      I appreciated Justin and his team communicating in various ways and keeping me updated as I'm hearing impaired. They were so patient explaining everything and making sure we fought through this to the end.
      - Rasheedah, Former Client
      "Justin is a very gifted lawyer!"
      This team is knowledgeable, communicative, and efficient.
      - Brenna, Former Client
      "Great Experience with This Team"
      Justin and the team were able to process an eviction in a timely manner and they were very affordable in my opinion. I will definitely be using their services again if needed and recommend them to my colleagues in the future.
      - Shaniqua, Former Client
      "Justin and his team will outperform the competition."
      Justin and his team go above and beyond for their clients and are always professional, attentive, and easy to contact.
      - Zach, Former Client

      The type of legal representation you need

      Law Office of Justin A. Wallace, LLC is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.

      • Big-Firm Results, Small-Firm Attention
        At our firm, our clients get the personalized attention they need without compromising on results.
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        Over the years, Attorney Wallace has displayed exceptional skill and talent when litigating cases in court.
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