Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer in Maryland

Whether a dog owner in Maryland is automatically liable for a bite, the deadline to sue, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.

What a lawyer costs in Maryland: fee rules

If a lawyer takes your money	The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee. Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610 Source: Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, Claims FAQ

If a lawyer takes your money

The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee.

Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610

Source: Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, Claims FAQ

Maryland rules to know first

Dog owner liability	Modified rule. In a lawsuit against a dog's owner for injury or death caused by the dog, evidence that the dog caused the injury creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities. The owner is strictly liable for injury caused while the dog is running at large, unless the injured person was trespassing, committing a crime, or teasing, tormenting, abusing or provoking the dog. For non-owners (such as landlords), the common law as of April 1, 2012 applies, without regard to breed. Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901
Deadline to sue	Three years from the date the claim accrues. This is Maryland's general deadline for civil actions unless another law sets a different period. Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101

Dog owner liability

Modified rule. In a lawsuit against a dog's owner for injury or death caused by the dog, evidence that the dog caused the injury creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities. The owner is strictly liable for injury caused while the dog is running at large, unless the injured person was trespassing, committing a crime, or teasing, tormenting, abusing or provoking the dog. For non-owners (such as landlords), the common law as of April 1, 2012 applies, without regard to breed.

Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901

Deadline to sue

Three years from the date the claim accrues. This is Maryland's general deadline for civil actions unless another law sets a different period.

Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101

Full Maryland guide

Find and check a lawyer

Lawyer referral service	The Maryland State Bar Association does not make referrals itself; it says "Your county's bar association can help you find a lawyer in your area" and lists county bar numbers, including Anne Arundel (410) 222-6859, Baltimore City (410) 539-3112, Baltimore County, Carroll and Frederick (410) 337-9100, Harford (410) 836-0123, Howard (410) 313-3853, Montgomery (301) 279-9100, and Prince George's and Charles (301) 952-1440. Fees are set by each county service. Source: Maryland State Bar Association, For The Public
Check that the lawyer is licensed	The Maryland Judiciary's attorney listing, drawn from its Attorney Information System, lets you search by last name (partial names allowed) and first name, with a similar-names option. An attorney listed as active is in good standing and authorized to practice; other listings may show inactive or retired attorneys, judges, or attorneys with disciplinary or administrative actions affecting eligibility. Questions: Supreme Court of Maryland Clerk's Office, 410-260-1500. Source: Maryland Judiciary, Attorney Listing
Check discipline history or file a complaint	Complaints about Maryland lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission's Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read the instructions, complete and print the Attorney Complaint Form (English or Spanish), and mail it to the Office of Bar Counsel, 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions: (410) 514-7051 (staff cannot discuss complaint details by phone). Public sanctions and actions affecting licensure are posted on the Commission's website. Sanctions: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance/sanctions Source: Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, Filing a Complaint

Free legal help

Free legal aid	The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees Source: Maryland Judiciary, Child Support (Legal Help); Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

Free legal aid

The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders.

LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees

Source: Maryland Judiciary, Child Support (Legal Help); Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

All legal help in Maryland

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.