As a law office specializing in personal injury cases in Maryland, we have encountered many individuals dealing with the aftermath of dog bites. These incidents can be both physically and emotionally traumatic often leading to financial compensation for the injured party. Understanding Maryland’s dog bite laws and the legal landscape is crucial to winning a case.

Were you or a family member bit by a dog? Are you a dog owner whose dog has bitten someone and is concerned about the repercussions?

Below we discuss some information that would be valuable for you to know. However, we encourage you to contact us before taking any legal action. You are welcome to call our office directly at 443-702-7708 or send an online request. 

Understanding Maryland’s Dog Bite Laws

Understanding dog bite laws is key to knowing whether you have a case or not. However, understanding the law can be a little challenging because Maryland follows a mixed statutory and common law approach when it comes to dog bite cases. We encourage you to read Maryland Code §3–1901 concerning personal injuries caused by dogs.  

To help you understand these laws, we have highlighted a couple of key insights below:

Strict Liability for Dog Owners: In Maryland, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether the dog has a prior history of aggression. This means that if a dog bites someone, the owner is typically responsible for the injuries and damages caused by the bite. However, this strict liability can be rebutted if the owner can prove that the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing on the owner’s property.

Negligence Claims: Besides strict liability, victims can also pursue claims based on negligence. If an owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent their dog from causing harm, such as not properly restraining the dog or failing to warn others of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, they can be held liable for the injuries caused.

Defenses Available to Dog Owners: Owners can defend themselves by proving that the victim was trespassing, committing a crime, or provoking the dog. It’s important to gather substantial evidence to refute these defenses, as they can significantly impact the outcome of the case.

We hope this information helps shed light on your situation.   

Do you have a case? 

Now that you understand the Maryland laws, it’s time for the big question. Do you have a case? The easiest and best way to know for sure is to contact a trusted attorney like David Mabrey directly. Let them know the details of the situation and they will help you to explore the next steps and the options you have. 

Contacting an attorney is the easy and recommended way, but if you’re researching and want to know before you contact the attorney there are a few things you can consider.

• Are there legitimate documented injuries from the dog?
• Does the dog have a history of aggressive tendencies? 
• Was the dog attack unprovoked by the victim?
• Could the dog bite have been prevented by the owner?
• Did the bite occur recently?

If you said yes to multiple of the questions above, then you likely have a case to bring against the dog owner. 

Keep in mind that dog bite cases are not open and closed solely on the word of the victim. All the details of the event matter and the dog’s owner also has a chance to defend themselves in the case. 

Defending a Dog Bite Case

As we mentioned before. Dog bite cases are not as simple as proving if a dog bit an individual. 

Dog owners in Maryland can defend against liability claims by proving certain defenses.

By proving any of the following defenses, the dog’s owner can remove or limit the liability of the injuries:

Provocation: If the victim provoked the dog, the owner’s liability may be reduced or eliminated.

Trespassing: If the bite occurred while the victim was trespassing on the owner’s property, the owner might not be held liable.

Assumption of Risk: If the victim knowingly took the risk of interacting with a dangerous dog, this can affect the outcome of the case.

The details of the case will ultimately shape the outcome. Having a good attorney who is familiar with dog bite laws in Maryland can help.

Hiring an attorney

Whether you are the victim of a dog bite or the owner of a dog that has bitten someone, it is wise to contact David Mabrey, a local personal injury attorney with experience. With their experience and knowledge of Maryland laws, they can help you receive the best outcome for the case. 

They can guide you navigate the legal landscape, help you work with the insurance companies, and take some of the stress out of the legal process. 

Dog bite cases can be complex, but understanding Maryland’s laws and knowing the steps to take can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. That is where we come in as your local dog bite attorneys. We have over 30 years of legal experience and provide personal attention to every one of our clients. 

We have offices located in Pasadena, MD, and Chestertown, MD. Give us a call to discuss the incident and have a case evaluation. Pasadena office: 443-702-7708 Chestertown Office: 410-778-1630