Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers

At Ritchie Law Firm, our Virginia dog bite lawyers have spent over 50 years representing injury victims throughout the Commonwealth. From our offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, and Staunton, we serve clients across Virginia who have been injured by dangerous dogs. Our accomplished legal team understands Virginia's "one bite rule" and other liability standards, knows how to establish owner negligence and responsibility, and fights aggressively to secure full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, and emotional trauma caused by dog attacks.

The Serious Nature of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can inflict devastating injuries that go far beyond superficial cuts or bruises. The powerful jaws of many dog breeds can cause crushing injuries, deep puncture wounds, severe tissue damage, and permanent disfigurement. Common injuries from dog bites and attacks include deep lacerations requiring stitches or surgical repair, puncture wounds that can cause internal damage and infection, facial injuries and disfigurement particularly in children, eye injuries that may result in vision loss, broken bones from the force of bites or being knocked down, nerve damage causing permanent loss of sensation or function, severe infections including rabies and tetanus, and emotional trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder and lasting fear of dogs.

Children are particularly vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries. Their smaller size means that dog bites more frequently involve the face, head, and neck—areas where injuries can be especially severe and disfiguring. Children may not recognize warning signs of aggressive dogs, may approach dogs inappropriately, and are less able to defend themselves during attacks. The psychological impact on children who have been attacked can be profound and long-lasting, affecting their emotional wellbeing for years.

Even adults can suffer life-altering injuries from dog attacks. Large or aggressive dogs can knock people down, causing secondary injuries from falls. Multiple bites can occur in seconds during vicious attacks. Permanent scarring, particularly on visible areas like the face, arms, and legs, can affect self-esteem, social interactions, and quality of life. The medical treatment required for serious dog bites often includes emergency room care, surgery to repair tissue damage, extensive wound care to prevent infection, plastic surgery and skin grafts, rabies vaccinations and preventive treatments, tetanus shots, long-term scar revision procedures, and psychological counseling to address trauma.

Virginia's Dog Bite Laws: Understanding Liability

Virginia's approach to dog bite liability differs from many other states and can be complex to navigate without experienced legal guidance. Understanding how liability is established in Virginia dog bite cases is crucial to pursuing successful claims.

Virginia follows what's commonly known as the "one bite rule." Under this doctrine, a dog owner may be held strictly liable for injuries if they knew or should have known their dog had dangerous propensities. This means that if a dog has previously bitten someone, shown aggressive behavior, or given the owner reason to know the dog was dangerous, the owner can be held liable for subsequent attacks even if they took precautions. However, the one bite rule doesn't mean that owners get a free pass for the first attack. Liability can still be established through other legal theories even if the dog has no prior bite history.

Negligence claims can succeed even when the one bite rule doesn't apply. If a dog owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog, they may be liable for resulting injuries regardless of the dog's history. Examples of owner negligence include allowing a dog to run loose in violation of leash laws, failing to secure a dog with adequate fencing or restraints, leaving a dangerous dog alone with children, ignoring signs of aggressive behavior or warnings from others, and failing to properly supervise or control a dog in public spaces.

Virginia law also recognizes negligence per se when dog owners violate specific statutes or ordinances. For example, if a locality has leash laws requiring dogs to be on leashes in public areas, and an unleashed dog attacks someone, the violation of the leash law may establish negligence automatically. Local ordinances throughout Virginia address dog control, dangerous dog designations, and owner responsibilities. Violations of these laws can provide powerful evidence of owner liability.

Landlord liability may exist in certain circumstances when dogs kept on rental properties attack people. If a landlord knew or should have known about a dangerous dog on their property and had the authority to require its removal but failed to act, they may share liability for attacks. Proving what owners knew about their dog's dangerous tendencies often requires thorough investigation. Our experienced attorneys know how to uncover evidence of prior incidents, aggressive behavior, complaints from neighbors, veterinary records documenting behavioral issues, and training records that may reveal problems. We also examine local animal control records for reports involving the dog and interview witnesses who have observed the dog's behavior.

Common Scenarios Leading to Dog Attacks

Dog bites and attacks occur in various settings and circumstances. Understanding common scenarios helps identify liability and build strong cases for compensation.

Attacks on a dog owner's property represent frequent situations where liability arises. When you're lawfully on someone's property—whether as a guest, service provider, or delivery person—and their dog attacks you, the owner typically bears responsibility for the injuries. Property owners have a duty to warn visitors about dangerous dogs or secure dogs to prevent attacks. Failure to do so constitutes negligence that supports liability.

Dogs running loose in neighborhoods cause numerous attacks. Despite leash laws in most Virginia communities, some owners allow dogs to roam freely. When these unsecured dogs attack people who are walking, jogging, cycling, or simply in their own yards, the owner's failure to control the dog establishes clear negligence. Children playing in yards or parks are particularly vulnerable to attacks by loose dogs.

Attacks during dog walking occur when dogs being walked on leashes become aggressive toward other people or dogs. Even when leashed, a dog can lunge at and bite passersby if the owner doesn't maintain proper control. Professional dog walkers and pet sitters may bear liability when dogs in their care attack others due to inadequate supervision or control.

Provoked versus unprovoked attacks is an important distinction in dog bite cases. If you provoked a dog through teasing, hitting, or other aggressive actions, this may affect your ability to recover compensation under Virginia's contributory negligence rule. However, many actions that owners claim were provocative—such as a child petting a dog, walking past a dog, or even being present near a dog—do not constitute legal provocation. Our experienced attorneys understand the difference between actual provocation that may affect liability and actions that dog owners wrongly characterize as provocative to avoid responsibility.

Attacks by multiple dogs can result in especially severe injuries. Pack behavior can make dogs more aggressive, and victims may suffer numerous bites from different animals. In these situations, all owners whose dogs participated in the attack may share liability for your injuries.

If you've been attacked by a dog in Virginia, don't wait to seek legal guidance. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free consultation. Time is critical for investigating dog bite cases and preserving evidence of owner liability.

Compensation Available in Dog Bite Cases

When a dog attack causes injuries, Virginia law provides several categories of compensation to help you recover from the physical, emotional, and financial impact. Understanding what damages you can pursue ensures you seek full compensation for all the ways the attack has affected your life.

Medical expenses represent a primary category of damages in dog bite cases. This includes emergency room treatment for immediate care, surgical procedures to repair tissue damage, hospitalization if injuries are severe, wound care and infection treatment, rabies vaccinations and preventive treatments, plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures, scar revision procedures that may continue for years, psychological counseling for trauma, and future medical care related to your injuries. Dog bite injuries often require ongoing treatment over extended periods, particularly when significant scarring or disfigurement is involved. Our knowledgeable attorneys work with medical professionals to document all current and future medical needs to ensure they're included in your claim.

Lost wages compensate you for income missed while recovering from your injuries. If a dog attack prevents you from working, whether for days, weeks, or longer, you're entitled to compensation for these lost earnings. If your injuries result in permanent limitations that affect your future earning capacity, you can pursue damages for this long-term financial impact as well.

Pain and suffering damages reflect the physical pain and discomfort caused by dog bite injuries. These injuries often involve significant acute pain during the attack and healing process, as well as ongoing pain from permanent injuries or during lengthy treatment protocols. The psychological trauma of a violent dog attack deserves compensation even though it's harder to quantify than medical bills. Many dog attack victims experience lasting fear of dogs, anxiety when encountering animals, nightmares and sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress disorder requiring professional treatment, and emotional distress that affects daily life and relationships.

Scarring and disfigurement damages compensate you for permanent visible scars that affect your appearance and self-confidence. Dog bites frequently leave significant scarring, particularly on the face, arms, legs, and other exposed areas. For children, these scars are present throughout their developing years and entire lives. For adults, visible scarring can affect professional opportunities, social interactions, and self-esteem. Virginia law recognizes that permanent disfigurement represents real harm deserving meaningful compensation.

In cases where dog owners acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for others' safety—such as knowingly keeping a vicious dog without adequate restraints—punitive damages may be available. While these damages are relatively rare, they serve to punish particularly egregious conduct and deter similar behavior.

The insurance company representing the dog owner will almost certainly make a lowball initial settlement offer that doesn't account for the full scope of your damages. They're hoping you don't understand what your case is truly worth or that you're desperate enough to accept whatever they offer quickly. Don't make this mistake. Contact experienced dog bite attorneys who will fight for maximum compensation.

Proving Your Dog Bite Case

Successfully recovering compensation in a Virginia dog bite case requires proving specific legal elements. The strength of your evidence often determines the outcome of your claim.

Establishing that the attack occurred and caused your injuries typically involves medical records documenting your injuries and treatment, photographs of injuries, particularly taken soon after the attack, witness testimony from people who saw the attack occur, and your own detailed account of the incident. Proving owner identity and responsibility requires determining who owned the dog at the time of attack. This might seem straightforward but can become complicated in situations involving multiple residents in a home, separated or divorced couples disputing dog ownership, or dogs being temporarily cared for by someone other than the owner.

Demonstrating that the owner knew or should have known about the dog's dangerous propensities involves investigating the dog's history for prior bites or attacks, documented aggressive behavior or complaints, breed characteristics if relevant to dangerous propensities, and the owner's own statements about the dog's temperament or behavior. Our experienced attorneys conduct thorough investigations to uncover this evidence. We obtain animal control records, interview neighbors and others familiar with the dog, review veterinary and training records, and examine social media posts where owners may have discussed their dog's aggressive tendencies.

Establishing negligence when the one bite rule doesn't apply requires showing violations of leash laws or local ordinances, failure to secure the dog with adequate fencing or restraints, failure to warn visitors about a potentially dangerous dog, or other breaches of the owner's duty of care. Countering defenses that you were trespassing, provoked the dog, or were comparatively negligent requires comprehensive evidence and strong legal arguments. Dog owners and their insurers will search for any defense to avoid liability, and Virginia's strict contributory negligence rule makes these defenses potentially case-ending if successful.

Documentation is absolutely critical in dog bite cases. Seek medical attention immediately and ensure all injuries are thoroughly documented. Photograph your injuries from multiple angles and continue photographing throughout the healing process. Report the attack to local animal control authorities. Get contact information for anyone who witnessed the attack. Preserve any clothing, damaged belongings, or other physical evidence. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be.

Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 immediately after a dog attack. The sooner we can begin investigating, the better we can preserve critical evidence and protect your rights.

Children and Dog Bite Cases

Children suffer a disproportionate number of serious dog bite injuries. Their smaller size, natural curiosity about animals, and inability to recognize danger signs make them particularly vulnerable to attacks. When children are injured by dogs, several special considerations apply to their cases.

The psychological impact on children who have been attacked can be severe and long-lasting. Young victims may develop lasting fear of dogs and other animals, anxiety in situations where dogs might be present, nightmares and sleep problems, behavioral changes, and emotional trauma requiring ongoing counseling. These psychological injuries deserve compensation just as much as physical injuries.

Permanent scarring on children raises particular concerns because these scars are present throughout their developmental years and entire lives. Facial scarring can affect a child's self-esteem, social development, and experiences throughout childhood and adolescence. Multiple scar revision procedures may be necessary as children grow, extending treatment over many years. Our experienced attorneys work with medical professionals to project the full costs of treatment throughout a child's development and ensure these future expenses are included in claims.

Legal representation for minor children typically involves parents or guardians filing claims on the child's behalf. Virginia law provides special protections for settlements involving minors, including court approval requirements for settlements over certain amounts and restrictions on how settlement funds are managed and distributed. These protections ensure that children's interests are safeguarded, but they also create additional procedural requirements that must be handled properly.

Parents themselves may have claims related to their child's dog bite injuries. These can include medical expenses paid on behalf of the child, lost wages from taking time off work to care for the injured child, and loss of services claims for the child's inability to perform household tasks during recovery. Our knowledgeable attorneys ensure that all potential claims, including those belonging to parents, are pursued appropriately.

Virginia's Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases

Time limits matter in dog bite cases just as in other personal injury claims. Virginia law imposes a statute of limitations that governs how long you have to file a lawsuit after a dog attack. For dog bite personal injury claims in Virginia, you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit in court. Missing this deadline typically results in your case being dismissed and complete loss of your right to compensation regardless of how strong your evidence is or how seriously you were injured.

Two years might seem like plenty of time, but it passes more quickly than you'd expect, particularly when you're dealing with medical treatment, recovery, and the aftermath of a traumatic attack. Building a strong dog bite case takes time. Evidence must be gathered regarding the dog's history and the owner's knowledge, medical documentation collected, witness interviews conducted, and legal documents prepared. Starting early ensures nothing is overlooked and all deadlines are met.

Insurance companies know about statutes of limitations and sometimes use delay tactics, dragging out settlement negotiations while the clock runs on your deadline. They're hoping you'll either miss the deadline entirely or become desperate enough to accept an inadequate settlement as time runs short. Don't let this happen to you.

Even if you're still receiving medical treatment or aren't sure about the full extent of your injuries and scarring, consulting with an attorney early protects your rights. We can begin investigating your case and building your claim while preserving all legal deadlines. The sooner you contact us, the better we can serve you.

For cases involving minor children, special rules may extend or toll the statute of limitations until the child reaches a certain age. However, you shouldn't rely on these extensions without consulting experienced legal counsel. Parents' claims related to their child's injuries still face standard deadlines.

Don't risk losing your right to compensation by waiting too long. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free consultation. We'll explain the deadlines that apply to your specific situation and begin protecting your rights immediately.

Why Choose Ritchie Law Firm for Your Dog Bite Case

Dog bite cases require attorneys who understand Virginia's unique liability laws, know how to investigate dog ownership and behavioral history, and can present compelling cases for compensation despite insurance company defenses. At Ritchie Law Firm, our dog bite lawyers possess these essential qualities and bring over 50 years of combined experience to every case we handle.

Michael L. Ritchie has extensive experience handling dog attack cases throughout his career and understands the specific legal challenges these cases present. Our entire legal team knows Virginia's one bite rule and how to establish liability under various legal theories. We conduct thorough investigations to uncover evidence of prior incidents and owner knowledge. We work with medical professionals to document all injuries and future needs, particularly scarring and disfigurement requiring long-term treatment.

Our proven trial experience means insurance companies take our cases seriously. They know we're fully prepared to present your case to a jury if they won't offer fair compensation. This willingness to go to court, backed by decades of successful courtroom experience, often results in better settlement outcomes. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This ensures access to quality representation regardless of your financial situation and aligns our interests completely with yours.

Throughout the process, we provide compassionate, personalized service while aggressively advocating for maximum compensation. We understand the trauma that dog attacks cause, particularly for children and their families. We're accessible when you have questions or concerns and keep you informed about developments in your case.

Serving Virginia Communities After Dog Attacks

For more than 50 years, Ritchie Law Firm has served injury victims throughout Virginia. Our offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, and Staunton position us to represent dog bite victims across the Commonwealth. We also maintain an office in Martinsburg, West Virginia, extending our reach throughout the region.

We understand Virginia's local ordinances and regulations regarding dog control in different communities. We're familiar with local courts and legal procedures. We're invested in the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors and committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable when their animals cause serious harm.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, don't wait to seek experienced legal guidance. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free, confidential consultation, and let us put our decades of experience to work fighting for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Dog Bite Cases

What is Virginia's "one bite rule" and how does it affect my case?

Virginia follows what's commonly called the "one bite rule," which means that a dog owner may be held strictly liable for injuries if they knew or should have known their dog had dangerous propensities. The name is somewhat misleading because it doesn't mean owners get a free pass for the first attack. If a dog has previously bitten someone, shown aggressive behavior toward people or other animals, required muzzling or special restraints, prompted complaints from neighbors or others, or displayed other signs of dangerous tendencies, the owner is on notice that the dog is dangerous. When that dog subsequently attacks someone, the owner can be held liable even if they took some precautions. However, even if a dog has no prior bite history, you can still recover compensation through other legal theories. Negligence claims can succeed when owners failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog—for example, by violating leash laws, failing to secure the dog properly, or ignoring warning signs of aggression. Negligence per se applies when owners violate specific statutes or ordinances regarding dog control. The specific facts of your case determine which legal theories apply and how strong your claim is. Our experienced attorneys thoroughly investigate dog behavioral history, owner knowledge, and circumstances of the attack to build the strongest possible case under all applicable legal theories.

What should I do immediately after a dog attack?

Taking the right steps immediately after a dog attack protects both your health and your legal rights. First and foremost, seek medical attention immediately even if your injuries seem minor. Dog bites carry serious risk of infection, and some injuries may be worse than they initially appear. Emergency medical evaluation ensures proper treatment and creates documentation of your injuries. If possible, identify the dog and its owner by getting the owner's name, address, and phone number, asking about the dog's vaccination history, particularly rabies, and taking photos of the dog if you can do so safely. Report the attack to local animal control authorities, as official reports create important records of the incident and may reveal prior complaints about the dog. Document everything by photographing your injuries from multiple angles as soon as possible and throughout healing, photographing the location where the attack occurred, getting contact information from anyone who witnessed the attack, and preserving any torn or bloodied clothing as evidence. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting with an attorney, as adjusters often use these statements to minimize legitimate claims. Contact experienced dog bite attorneys as soon as possible so we can begin investigating while evidence is fresh and witnesses' memories are clear. The sooner you reach out, the better we can protect your rights and build your case.

Can I recover compensation if the dog attacked me on the owner's property?

Yes, you can typically recover compensation if a dog attacked you while you were lawfully on the owner's property. Property owners have a duty to warn visitors about dangerous dogs or to secure dogs to prevent attacks. If you were on the property as a social guest, were making a delivery or providing services, were reading a meter or performing other authorized activities, or were otherwise lawfully present, the owner's failure to protect you from their dangerous dog constitutes negligence. However, if you were trespassing on the property without permission, this significantly complicates your ability to recover compensation. Property owners generally don't owe the same duty of care to trespassers as they do to invited guests or lawful visitors. Even lawful visitors may face challenges if the owner warned them about a dangerous dog and they voluntarily chose to enter anyway, though specific circumstances matter tremendously. Our experienced attorneys carefully evaluate the details of where and why you were on the property to determine how these factors affect your case. Don't assume you can't recover compensation simply because the attack occurred on the owner's property—contact us for an honest assessment of your specific situation.

What if a child provoked the dog before being bitten?

The question of provocation in cases involving children requires careful analysis of what actually happened and the child's age and understanding. Very young children cannot legally provoke a dog because they lack the capacity to understand their actions or form intent to provoke. Even with older children, many actions that dog owners claim were provocative—such as petting the dog, playing near the dog, making noise, or simply being present—do not constitute legal provocation under Virginia law. True provocation typically involves intentional actions designed to injure or torment the dog, such as hitting, kicking, pulling the dog's tail or ears with significant force, or attacking the dog. Normal childhood behaviors around dogs, even if they annoy or startle the dog, generally don't meet the legal standard for provocation. However, this remains a fact-intensive inquiry that depends on the specific circumstances, the child's age and understanding, and what actually occurred before the attack. Insurance companies often argue provocation as a defense because Virginia's contributory negligence rule means that if the victim contributed even 1% to causing the attack, they may be barred from recovery. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the legal standards for provocation and know how to counter unfair claims that normal childhood behavior constituted provocation. If your child has been attacked by a dog, contact us immediately regardless of circumstances. We'll thoroughly investigate what happened and provide honest advice about your case.

How much is my dog bite case worth?

The value of dog bite cases varies tremendously based on numerous factors specific to each situation. Important factors that affect case value include the severity and permanence of injuries, the amount of medical expenses both past and future, whether significant scarring or disfigurement is present, particularly on visible areas, the location and extent of scarring, the age of the victim (children with permanent scars face lifetime impacts), the psychological trauma and emotional distress suffered, lost wages and impact on earning capacity, whether the attack was particularly vicious or traumatic, the strength of evidence regarding owner liability, and the available insurance coverage. Minor dog bites requiring only basic medical treatment and leaving minimal scarring typically result in smaller settlements—potentially several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Serious attacks causing significant injuries, permanent facial scarring, or lasting psychological trauma can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, particularly for children who will live with scars throughout their lives. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple surgeries, or severe disfigurement can reach into the seven figures in appropriate circumstances. However, every case is unique, and there's no simple formula or average settlement amount. During your free consultation, our experienced attorneys will evaluate the specific facts of your case and provide an honest assessment of its potential value based on decades of experience handling similar cases. We'll never make unrealistic promises, but we will fight aggressively to maximize your compensation based on the full scope of your damages.

Will the dog be put down if I file a claim?

Whether a dog is euthanized after an attack is typically a separate issue from your personal injury claim and is decided by animal control authorities, not through the civil legal process. Local animal control agencies evaluate dogs involved in attacks to determine whether they pose ongoing danger to the community. Factors they consider include the severity of the attack, the dog's prior history of aggression, whether the dog was provoked, and local dangerous dog ordinances. Some dogs are ordered destroyed, while others may be subject to restrictions like mandatory muzzling, secure confinement, or special insurance requirements. The decision about the dog's fate is made by animal control or courts in criminal or regulatory proceedings, separate from your civil case for compensation. Your personal injury claim seeks financial compensation from the owner or their insurance company for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. This civil process doesn't directly determine what happens to the dog. Many people, particularly children, worry about "getting a dog in trouble" or causing a dog to be put down. These concerns, while understandable, shouldn't prevent you from pursuing compensation you deserve for serious injuries. The decision about the dog is made separately based on public safety considerations. You have every right to seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else's failure to control their animal, and pursuing your legal rights doesn't make you responsible for any consequences the owner or dog may face through the regulatory system.

Can I sue if a dog knocked me down but didn't actually bite me?

Yes, you can potentially recover compensation even if a dog knocked you down without biting you. Dog owner liability isn't limited strictly to bite injuries. If a dog's aggressive behavior—including jumping on you, lunging at you, or chasing you—caused you to fall and suffer injuries, the owner may be liable for those injuries under negligence principles. The same legal standards apply: if the owner knew or should have known the dog had aggressive or overly energetic tendencies, or if the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the dog, they can be held responsible for injuries caused by the dog's behavior. Injuries from being knocked down by dogs can be serious, particularly for elderly individuals who may suffer broken hips, wrists, or other bones, head injuries from striking the ground, and soft tissue injuries requiring medical treatment. These injuries deserve compensation just as much as bite injuries. That said, cases involving only knock-down injuries without bites can be more challenging to prove because there's no physical evidence like bite wounds to definitively connect your injuries to the dog. Strong evidence becomes particularly important, including witness testimony that the dog knocked you down, medical records documenting injuries consistent with a fall, and evidence of the dog's history of jumping on or lunging at people. If you've been injured by a dog even without being bitten, contact us for a thorough evaluation of your case. We'll assess the evidence and advise you honestly about your chances of recovering compensation.

What if the dog owner doesn't have homeowner's or renter's insurance?

If the dog owner doesn't have homeowner's or renter's insurance, recovering compensation becomes more challenging but may not be impossible. You can pursue a claim directly against the dog owner personally, seeking compensation from their personal assets. However, many dog owners who lack insurance also lack significant assets, making actual recovery difficult even if you win a judgment. You might explore whether your own insurance policies provide coverage, such as uninsured motorist coverage if the attack occurred in connection with a motor vehicle situation, or medical payments coverage under your own homeowner's or health insurance. Some homeowner's policies include limited medical payments coverage that applies regardless of liability. You should also verify that the owner truly lacks insurance, as some owners may falsely claim they're uninsured hoping you'll give up your claim. Our experienced attorneys know how to investigate insurance coverage thoroughly, including checking for policies the owner may not disclose, determining whether landlords' insurance might provide coverage, and identifying other potential defendants who might share liability and have insurance. Even without insurance, pursuing legal action may be worthwhile in some circumstances, particularly if the owner has significant assets or if establishing a legal judgment is important for other reasons. During your free consultation, we'll investigate the insurance situation and advise you honestly about the prospects for actual recovery. We'll never encourage you to pursue cases where recovery is unlikely, but we'll thoroughly explore all possible avenues for compensation.