Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer
After a dog bite, you shouldn’t have to face the legal and medical challenges alone. Our Maryland dog bite lawyers can guide you through every step and help you get the care and compensation you need to move forward.
Legally Reviewed By:
Adam M. Smallow
November 10, 2025
A dog attack is a traumatic experience that can leave physical and emotional wounds that last a lifetime. Maryland’s dog bite laws hold dog owners, landlords, and others liable for injuries from unprovoked attacks. Our experienced Maryland dog bite lawyers can help you get the highest quality medical care available and handle your claim against the responsible parties. We will help you get the best settlement possible. Our team is available 24/7 via phone or text. Contact us today for a free Road to Recovery consultation.
Navigate This Page
- Facts About Dog Bite Injuries in Maryland
- Maryland Dog Bite Laws: What You Need To Know
- How Insurance Companies Fight Maryland Dog Bite Claims
- What Should You Do After a Dog Bite Accident in Maryland?
- The Long-Lasting Impact of Dog Bite Injuries
- Why Now Is the Time To Hire a Maryland Dog Bite Law Firm
- Let Our Dedicated Maryland Dog Bite Attorneys Fight for the Justice You Deserve
Facts About Dog Bite Injuries in Maryland
A shocking 8,282 people suffered dog bites in Maryland in 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available. Here are the three top Maryland counties for dog bites:
County | Bites |
Montgomery | 1,329 |
Baltimore | 1,049 |
Anne Arundel | 1,001 |
Nationwide, dog bites killed 468 people from 2011 through 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with an average of 43 deaths per year. Postal workers are especially susceptible to dog attacks. The United States Postal Service reports that 6,000 mail carriers in the United States suffered dog attacks in 2024.
Maryland Dog Bite Laws: What You Need To Know
According to the Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-1901, if you are injured in a dog attack, you get a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous. This means the court assumes the owner knew that the dog was dangerous unless they prove otherwise. In most injury claims, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the defendant was negligent. A rebuttable presumption puts the burden on the owner/defendant to disprove the initial claim.
If a dog attacks while at large, the owner is strictly liable for injuries. This means you can hold the owner liable without proving negligence or the owner’s knowledge. However, the owner is generally not liable if the dog was provoked or defending a person.
Our dedicated dog bite attorneys can determine how the law applies to your case and help you access justice and compensation.
Who Can You Hold Liable in a Maryland Dog Bite Case?
The dog owner is the primary party responsible for dog bite injuries, but other parties can share liability.
A landlord may be partly liable if a dog bites you at an apartment complex and the landlord had control and knowledge. A landlord may be deemed ‘in control’ of common areas and can share liability if they also had notice of a dangerous dog. The landlord is considered to have knowledge if the dog has a history of attacks or complaints by tenants or visitors.
If the dog is under someone else’s control, such as a veterinarian or boarding house, the party may be liable if you can prove the party failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent the attack, such as not restraining the dog.
In many cases, available coverage comes through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
How Insurance Companies Fight Maryland Dog Bite Claims
While dog bite compensation typically comes from the renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy of the dog owner, insurance companies often fight claims, regardless of how brazen the dog owner’s conduct was in allowing the attack. If your injuries are severe, you may be entitled to a large settlement, and the insurance company may raise certain allegations, such as the following, to avoid paying your damages:
- You provoked the attack.
- You were trespassing.
- You brought the bite on yourself through some form of negligence.
- You assumed the risk by knowingly putting yourself in a position to be bitten.
You will need a proven advocate, like one of our lawyers, working for you. We can disprove these allegations and make sure the insurance company pays you the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite Accident in Maryland?
If you have been injured in a dog attack, you will need to take the following steps immediately to protect your safety and to strengthen your injury claim:
- Seek medical attention to address potential infections or nerve injuries, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the bite to the police or sheriff, or animal control if you are in Frederick County.
- Take photos of the injuries and the attack scene.
- Identify the dog owner.
- Obtain the contact information of witnesses.
- Write down the details, and include the time, date, and what you were doing just before the attack. Although the law gives you a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, you may still need evidence to prove you did not provoke the dog.
- Call our compassionate dog bite attorneys at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers at (410) 449-7900 as soon as possible to explore your legal options.
Get on the road to recovery with competent legal representation and high-quality medical professionals. Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyer today.
The Long-Lasting Impact of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can range from minor puncture wounds to deep lacerations, fractures, and damage to internal body tissues. You could be left with permanent scarring, disfiguring facial injuries, permanent nerve damage, and lifelong disabilities. Even if your injuries are not permanent, you may be facing months of medical treatment, painful physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
Beyond the physical wounds, the psychological trauma of a dog attack can be significant. You may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or a debilitating fear of dogs. Children are particularly vulnerable to these effects. Your recovery plan should include trauma therapy, counseling, and psychiatric therapy as necessary to address psychological harm.
When you choose our Maryland dog bite law firm, we will help you find high-quality medical care without health insurance and red tape.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries
When you have Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers on your side, Adam fights to get you the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of bodily functions
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Now Is the Time To Hire a Maryland Dog Bite Law Firm
Your time to pursue dog bite compensation is limited. The statute of limitations requires your lawsuit to be filed within three years of the incident. While three years may seem like a long time, it is crucial to contact a lawyer now. A dog bite lawsuit can only be filed after the investigation is completed and your lifetime costs become clear. This process takes time.
The most important evidence may only be available for a short time. Witnesses forget details, injuries become less apparent, and surveillance footage can be erased. Early attorney involvement is crucial to building the strongest case possible and maximizing compensation.
A legal claim may be the last thing on your mind when you are hurting, but you will not have to think about it when you have our caring lawyers working for you. You will be able to focus on healing while we focus on your case.
Let Our Dedicated Maryland Dog Bite Attorneys Fight for the Justice You Deserve
Our caring and skilled Maryland dog bite lawyers are here to help you through the traumatic aftermath of a dog attack. We understand the pain and overwhelm you must be feeling, and we are here to help you through this. We will give you a superior client experience through high-quality medical care and crystal-clear communication. We charge no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call (410) 449-7900 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
