"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Experienced Farm Animal Attack Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
Free Consultation
Ohio Farm Animal Attack Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Farm Animal Attack Injury throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Farm Animal Attack Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Farm Animal Injury Lawyers: Escaped Livestock Due to Negligent Fencing
Ohio's beautiful rural landscape comes with the responsibility for property owners to properly contain their livestock. When a farm animal—such as a cow, horse, or goat—escapes its enclosure due to negligent fencing, the resulting injuries to motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring property owners can be catastrophic. These incidents often involve high-speed collisions or severe trampling injuries.
If you were injured by an escaped farm animal because the owner failed to maintain secure fencing or enclosures, the law is on your side. Our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team assists the injured in Premises Liability claims involving livestock, holding negligent owners and keepers accountable under the Ohio Revised Code.
Livestock Owner Liability Under Ohio Revised Code § 971.18
Ohio law explicitly establishes the liability of livestock owners who fail to exercise ordinary care in containing their animals. Specifically, Ohio Revised Code § 971.18 states that an owner of livestock who negligently permits the livestock to run at large out of its enclosure is liable for all damages resulting from injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by the livestock on the premises of another.
To win your claim, we focus on proving the owner's negligence, which often involves demonstrating a failure to exercise ordinary care in maintaining a secure enclosure:
- Unmaintained Fencing: The owner failed to repair broken wires, posts, or slats, resulting in a negligent fence.
- Improper Gates: Gates were not properly fastened, latched, or secured, making escape easy.
- Foreseeable Escape: The owner knew the fencing was weak or damaged and failed to make prompt repairs.
- Applicable Animals: The law applies to common livestock, including horses, mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, llamas, alpacas, and poultry.
Establishing Negligence and Overcoming Defenses
Under Ohio law, the mere fact that the animal was running at large creates an initial presumption of negligence by the owner. The burden then shifts to the owner to prove they took ordinary care to contain the animals, often by showing they maintained a proper fence, checked the enclosure regularly, and took reasonable precautions.
Our firm builds a robust case by:
- Documenting the Fencing: We obtain evidence (photos, video) of the negligent fencing or broken enclosure immediately following the incident.
- Investigating Notice: We determine if the owner had actual or constructive notice of the fence damage (e.g., prior animal escapes, reports of damage).
- Countering Defenses: We fight claims that the escape was due to an unforeseeable event (e.g., a lightning strike or vandal) by showing the owner's lack of ordinary care was the true cause.
- Identifying Responsible Parties: Liability may extend beyond the owner to a "keeper" (someone with physical care or charge) or "harborer" of the animal.
Damages and Ohio's Statute of Limitations (R.C. 2305.10)
Injuries caused by large farm animals, particularly in traffic accidents, often result in severe, life-altering trauma, including broken bones, spinal cord damage, head injuries, and wrongful death.
We work tirelessly to secure compensation for all your losses, including:
- Emergency and Hospital Medical Bills
- Long-term Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
- Lost Wages and Future Loss of Earning Capacity
- Property Damage (e.g., vehicle repair or replacement)
- Pain and Suffering and Emotional Distress
The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury lawsuit in Ohio, including those arising from escaped farm animals, is typically two years from the date of the injury (R.C. 2305.10). It is vital to contact an attorney promptly to begin the critical investigation and secure evidence before the owner repairs the negligent fencing.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt by livestock that escaped due to negligent fencing or other failures of containment, contact our dedicated legal team for a confidential case evaluation.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
Home • Attorney • Contact Us • Crime Related Injury • Slip and Fall Injury • Dog Bite / Animal Attack • Property Condition Injury • Fire / Smoke Injury • Pool Injuries • Toxic / Environmental Injury • Other Injuries • What is Premise Lability? • Compensation
PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220