At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, our Virginia personal injury lawyers understand that dog attacks are more than just frightening—they often lead to serious medical complications, expensive care, and permanent disfigurement. That’s why we fight for Virginia victims who have been injured due to others’ failure to control dangerous animals. Whether you’re dealing with hospital bills, reconstructive surgery, or long-term trauma, we’re committed to holding responsible parties accountable.
Standing With Virginians Injured by Dog Bites
The law around animal attacks is highly fact-specific and governed by a mix of state statutes, local ordinances, and court precedent. At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, our dog bite attorneys bring deep familiarity with these nuances and a results-driven approach to every case we handle.
When an attack happens, you deserve a powerful advocate in your corner. That’s where our team investigates liability, reviews medical records, and works with expert witnesses to present a compelling claim, backed by decades of personal injury experience.
We invite you to learn more about our firm and how we approach injury cases with compassion and tenacity.
Virginia Dog Bite Laws and Your Case
Dog bite laws in Virginia don’t operate under a strict liability model like in some states. Instead, they rely heavily on the owner’s prior knowledge of the dog’s behavior and their actions leading up to the incident. This means that proving liability requires demonstrating either that the owner knew about their dog’s aggressive tendencies or that they were negligent in controlling their animal. Courts will examine factors such as previous complaints, witness testimony about past behavior, and any documented incidents.
Virginia’s Dangerous Dog Registry plays a key role in identifying and tracking animals with a history of aggression. This registry serves as crucial evidence in dog bite cases, as it provides official documentation of past incidents and can establish a pattern of dangerous behavior.
Your dog bite lawyer at Tronfeld, West & Durrett will strengthen your case by documenting prior reckless behavior to establish the dog’s dangerous nature. Our goal is to hold negligent pet owners accountable, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve and helping keep our streets safe from dangerous animals.
The “One Bite Rule” Explained
Virginia follows the “one bite” doctrine, which means a dog’s owner might not be held liable for the first time their dog bites—unless it can be shown they knew or should have known the animal had dangerous tendencies. Prior complaints, aggressive behavior, or previous incidents can establish foreseeability.
Despite the one-bite standard, Virginia courts allow liability when dog owners are negligent in other ways such as failing to obey local leash laws or ignoring warnings about their pet’s behavior. Even if the dog hadn’t previously bitten anyone, the owner may still be held accountable if they failed to take reasonable precautions.
Dangerous and Vicious Dog Classifications Under Virginia Law
Under VA Code § 3.2-6540, a dog that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person without provocation may be declared dangerous. Once labeled as such, the owner must follow strict containment, registration, and insurance requirements.
Further responsibilities include owner compliance with court-imposed conditions following a dog’s dangerous designation. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in criminal charges, especially if the dog injures someone again.
If a dog previously labeled “dangerous” attacks again, the consequences go beyond civil liability. Owners may face misdemeanor charges and significant fines if they violated containment rules or ignored the court’s orders. In cases of gross negligence or repeat attacks, jail time is possible.
Common Injuries from Dog Attacks
Dog bites can result in far more than a minor wound. In many cases, especially when children or elderly individuals are involved, the injuries can be catastrophic. At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, we’ve handled countless cases where what began as a brief encounter led to years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and psychological recovery.
- Lacerations, puncture wounds, and muscle damage
- Infections and disease risks
- Scarring and reconstructive needs
- Nerve damage and disability
- Emotional and psychological effects
We understand that dog attacks leave lasting psychological trauma beyond physical scars. We fight to ensure your claim reflects everything you’ve endured—including medical treatment, emotional distress, and financial hardship.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite in Virginia?
While the dog’s owner is the most obvious party, Virginia law recognizes that others may share fault depending on the circumstances. Your dog bite attorney will help you understand your options for holding responsible parties accountable during a free initial consultation. We’re ready to hear about your specific circumstances and concerns and discuss relevant case results.
The Dog Owner or Custodian
Under most circumstances, the person who owns the dog bears primary legal responsibility for an attack, especially if they failed to secure the animal, ignored leash laws, or knew of past aggressive behavior.
Landlords and Property Owners
If a landlord knowingly allows a dangerous dog to remain on the premises, particularly in common areas, they may also be held liable. This is especially relevant in multi-unit housing, where other tenants or guests may be put at risk.
Dog Sitters, Kennels, and Animal Handlers
Veterinarians, dog walkers, boarding facilities, and other custodians of the dog can be held liable if they fail to exercise reasonable care. If a kennel releases an aggressive dog without proper control or a handler ignores known triggers, they may face responsibility.
Parents of Minor Dog Owners
When a minor owns a dog, Virginia law may hold their parents accountable for resulting harm. This includes failing to supervise the child’s interactions with the dog or allowing the animal to roam without restriction.
What Compensation Can a Virginia Dog Bite Attorney Recover?
At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, we build detailed, evidence-based claims that reflect both the immediate and long-term effects of a serious bite injury. We’ll consider:
Economic Damages
These are the measurable, financial losses you’ve suffered due to the attack. They often include:
- Emergency room treatment and hospitalization for the initial injury
- Surgical procedures such as wound repair or reconstructive operations
- Prescription medications, vaccinations (such as rabies shots), and wound care supplies
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore function and mobility
- Lost income due to time away from work
- Future medical expenses, including anticipated treatments or long-term care
Economic damages are typically documented through medical records, billing statements, employment records, and expert projections about future costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic losses capture the emotional and psychological toll of a dog attack—impacts that don’t come with a bill but are just as real.
- Pain and suffering, including chronic physical pain from injuries or surgeries
- Emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders
- Disfigurement or scarring, especially if visible or permanently life-altering
- Loss of quality of life, such as the inability to return to favorite activities, hobbies, or daily routines
In many cases, the extent of non-economic damages may exceed the value of the financial costs. We work closely with medical experts and mental health providers to ensure these losses are fully represented in your claim.
Wrongful Death Damages
In the most tragic cases, dog attacks result in fatal injuries. Surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim, which allows recovery for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income and financial support the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Grief and emotional anguish suffered by surviving loved ones
Dog attacks that lead to fatal complications, such as infection, blood loss, or trauma, deserve immediate legal attention. Our firm is prepared to act swiftly to protect your family’s rights.
Why Choose Tronfeld, West & Durrett for Your Virginia Dog Bite Case?
We don’t treat your situation like a simple claim—we treat it like the life-altering event it is.
Our firm has represented thousands of injury victims throughout the Commonwealth since 1972. We understand the specific challenges that come with dog attack claims, from navigating the one-bite rule to proving long-term emotional trauma in children. We’ve handled cases involving family pets, dangerous dogs with a history of aggression, and landlord negligence when known risks were ignored. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Virginia dog bite lawyer.
