Toledo K-9 Bite Injury Lawyer

Police in Toledo sometimes rely on K-9 units to help them subdue dangerous suspects and suspects who attempt to flee arrest. While police dogs are valuable parts of law enforcement in Ohio, some officers unfortunately misuse these trained animals. This can potentially result in devastating injuries and qualify as excessive force. A Toledo K-9 bite injury lawyer can help after you or a family member has been injured by a police dog.

Helping Victims of K-9 Bite Injuries in Toledo, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been representing clients since 1946, and we have successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation from a wide range of cases throughout Ohio. When you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a Toledo Police officer’s K-9, it is crucial to understand your rights and to speak with an attorney who can determine whether the dog bite qualifies as excessive force.

“Excessive force” can apply to any situation in which a police officer uses more force than the situation requires. There has been a great deal of public debate over recent years as to whether force is justified in certain situations, and there have been various high-profile cases throughout the US recently involving police dogs that have caused devastating or even fatal injuries.

Ohio records about 20,000 animal bites statewide each year. While the state imposes a strict liability law for private citizens whose pets injure others, police K-9 units are generally protected by qualified immunity as long as they only deploy their police dogs when necessary. Generally, police in Toledo may deploy dogs when:

• A suspect attempts to resist or evade arrest, or if they are actively fleeing from the police.
• When a suspect poses an immediate threat of harm to police officers or bystanders.
• When a suspect is wanted for a serious felony or violent crime.

Police officers in Toledo and throughout Ohio are expected to follow strict training when using force on duty. In some situations, police officers are forced to use police dogs or firearms to protect themselves and members of the public from immediate threats. However, if a police officer released their police dog inappropriately, failed to execute a release command after the dog had subdued a suspect, or was otherwise negligent, this may qualify as excessive force.

Filing a Claim for a K-9 Bite Injury in Toledo

Police officers are typically protected from civil claims for damages under qualified immunity. However, there are situations in which qualified immunity no longer applies. Generally, to succeed with this type of case, you must prove that the police officer in question acted with intentional malice, was reckless or careless in the handling of their dog, or acted in bad faith in some way that resulted in actual harm.

You will need to hire a K-9 bite injury lawyer to gather the evidence you need for this type of case. In many disputes involving qualified immunity and K-9 bite injuries, police body camera footage and witness testimony are crucial. You may need to prove that the officer deployed the dog inappropriately, did so with a clear intent to cause harm, or failed to execute a release command promptly.

Claiming Compensation for a K-9 Bite Injury

A police dog can potentially inflict devastating injuries. Breeds such as the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd are very strong with powerful bites that can potentially cause crushing injuries, nerve damage, deep lacerations, organ damage, and life-threatening bleeding. Your attorney can determine whether qualified immunity applies, and if you have grounds to claim compensation, you may be able to recover:

• Compensation for all medical expenses related to the incident, including the cost of any future medical care you may need for treating a serious injury. Some victims of dog attacks not only require immediate emergency treatment but also ongoing care due to the severity of their experiences.
  
• Compensation for lost income, if your injuries prevent you from working for an extended period while you recover. You may also have grounds to claim compensation for lost earning capacity if the dog attack caused permanent damage that diminishes your ability to work in the future.
  
• Compensation for your pain and suffering. Dog attacks can cause tremendous physical pain as well as psychological trauma, and your attorney can determine a suitable amount to claim from the defendant.

In addition to these damages, some plaintiffs may be eligible to claim punitive damages, but only if they can prove that a defendant police officer acted with intentional malice, or that they showed clear indifference to your Constitutional rights. You cannot seek punitive damages from the municipal government.

Find Your Toledo K-9 Bite Injury Lawyer Now

Police dog bite claims are inherently difficult cases in several ways. You face the officer’s qualified immunity and the likely claim that they acted in accordance with their training. Facing the Toledo Police in this type of case is likely to be daunting, so it’s crucial that you hire a K-9 bite injury lawyer as soon as possible to level the playing field and help you build an effective case.

The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can carefully review the details of the incident and determine whether you have grounds to challenge the K-9 officer’s qualified immunity. If you believe that you or a loved one is a victim of excessive force, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Toledo K-9 bite injury attorney as soon as possible. Reach out to our team to learn how we can help with this difficult case.

FAQs

Q: Can You Sue if a K-9 Police Dog Bites You in Toledo?

A: You can sue if a K-9 police dog bites you in Toledo, but only under specific conditions. You must be able to prove that the officer’s use of the dog qualified as excessive force. For example, the evidence must show that you were either surrendering to the police, already restrained, or that you were simply a bystander who was wrongfully attacked by the dog. Your attorney can explain whether you have grounds to challenge the police officer’s qualified immunity.

Q: How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a K-9 Bite Injury?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a K-9 bite injury largely depends on the severity of the harm you suffered. You may have grounds to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and your pain and suffering. A Toledo K-9 bite injury attorney can accurately estimate the full potential value of your claim.

Q: What Happens to a Police Dog After it Bites Someone?

A: After a police dog bites someone, what happens next depends entirely on whether the bite was a justified law enforcement measure or an unjustified incident of excessive force. All police dog bite incidents are formally reviewed. If the bite was a legal measure, the dog typically returns to duty. If it was not, there may be a medical evaluation and remedial training, or the department may decide to retire the dog. Most police dogs that retire are adopted as regular pets.

Q: Why Should I Hire a K-9 Bite Injury Lawyer?

A: You should hire a K-9 bite injury lawyer to have a better chance of success with this case. Filing a lawsuit against any government entity is very different from filing a civil claim against another private party. You will need a skilled attorney who can challenge the defendant’s qualified immunity, prove that you were harmed by excessive force, and accurately calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim. The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber are confident we can help you reach a favorable outcome with your case. Whether you or a loved one was harmed by a K-9 police dog in an incident of excessive force, you have a very short time in which to build and file your case and pursue compensation. Our team is ready to listen to your story, so contact us today and schedule your consultation with a Toledo K-9 bite injury lawyer.