In today’s world, almost everyone seems to be on Facebook and other social media sites, sharing and talking about their life. But there’s one thing that you need to know if you have a personal injury case – do not post anything on Facebook about your personal injury claim and what you are going through….
Charitable immunity extends from the common law principle that organizations and individuals should not be punished for attempting to do good.
Virginia leash laws may require you, the dog owner – while on your property – to keep your dog under control. This means that your dog is confined to the house, a dog pen, on a secured leash, or under some form of immediate voice control. If you take your dog for a walk and off the property, you must put your dog on a leash or under immediate voice control. It is best to have the dog on a leash. The law does not automatically apply everywhere as the localities, city or county governments, must decide if the want to implement it. Some rural counties in VA do not choose to make all canines stay on leash which can lead to problems like dogs chasing cars or threatening pedestrians on public roads.
Virginia laws allow plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases to claim compensatory economic and noneconomic damages, as well as punitive damages in certain circumstances.
Compensatory damages are compensation for the person’s injuries and losses. These injuries and losses include the bodily injuries; the impact of these injuries on the person’s health and function; physical pain; mental anguish; inconvenience; medical expenses incurred in the past and likely to be incurred in the future; loss of earnings and lost capacity to earn; and property damage. Some of these damages are quantifiable but mental anguish and pain and suffering are not.
Punitive damages are recoverable in very limited circumstances. They are awarded make an example of the defendant that is intentional or so reckless as to demonstrate a willful disregard for the rights of others. The actual payment of punitive damages is relatively rare.
Typically you see these in a case involving a DUI with high levels of intoxication.
The answer is usually no. The law in Virginia does not transfer liability to the owner of a rental property for a tenant’s animal. However, it might be a good idea to require your renters to have get renters’ insurance, which is like home owners’ insurance, but for tenants. Then, the insurer will take care of paying and defending any claims for injury or death caused by pets at the apartment building or house.
Furthermore, Virginia follows the law commonly referred to as the “one bite rule.” This means the dog owner is shielded from civil liability the first time each of his or her animals attacks another individual, if the attack was not intentional or due to negligence. For example, if the owner caused the dog bite by breaking a leash law, then that person could be held legally liable. If the animal was known to have dangerous propensities, the owner can sometimes be held responsible for even the first time it breaks skin.