If you are bit by dog winning lawsuit and are considering pursuing a legal claim, you should make sure to document all medical expenses. This includes the costs of hospital treatment, doctors’ appointments, and medication. You should also document any lost income, as these records will be crucial for winning a lawsuit after a dog bite. Accurate documentation helps build a strong case and ensures you receive the compensation you deserve for both your financial losses and your injuries.
Many bite victims pursue a lawsuit against the dog owner, who usually has liability insurance. The insurer may offer a settlement to avoid a trial.
Medical bills
The first thing that victims typically pay out of pocket for a dog bite is medical bills. These include doctors’ and hospitals’ costs, plastic surgery bills and therapy bills. They also may include veterinary bills for a victim’s own pet involved in the bite incident.
Health insurance companies often investigate and challenge dog bite medical expenses to determine if they are responsible for covering them. This is called subrogation and it saves healthcare providers billions of dollars nationwide every year.
While it frustrates victims, this is not a new tactic and does not affect their ability to recover compensation from the dog owner or their insurance company. However, it is an important factor in determining how much a plaintiff is entitled to from a settlement or award for their injuries. As such, it is always best to discuss the issue with a personal injury lawyer. They are experienced in this area of law. They can evaluate your case and help you fight for maximum compensation.
Pain and suffering
The severity of a victim’s physical injuries plays a big role in the total value of their settlement, especially if those injuries will prevent them from working in the future. For example, someone who has a permanent scar and nerve damage that will require tens of thousands of dollars in plastic surgery treatments would receive a much larger settlement amount than another person who received a few minor bites.
Beyond physical injuries, dog attacks also cause emotional trauma like anxiety and PTSD. Children, in particular, tend to suffer more than adults when they get bitten by dogs. This can lead to sleepless nights, nightmares, and anxiety that will impact a child’s quality of life. An experienced attorney can help a victim file a claim with the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance to get compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Typically, these types of cases are settled without ever going to court.
Loss of companionship
Many dog bite victims find themselves unable to work due to their injuries and may not be able to maintain their prior standard of living. These injured people are entitled to compensation for the loss of their income, as well as additional damages for their pain and suffering.
A successful lawsuit for a dog bite can result in substantial financial recovery. However, a lawsuit can be complicated and the outcome is not guaranteed. A personal injury lawyer will be able to assess the case and determine whether or not there is a strong chance of winning the lawsuit.
The first step after a dog bite is to seek immediate medical attention for the victim. After the victim has been treated, they should document the incident by taking cell phone pictures of the attack, any injuries or property damage and file an official police report. This will provide a paper trail that can be used to support the claim for compensation.
Damages
Medical bills are typically the first thing a victim seeks compensation for after suffering from a dog bite. Victims who have to miss work due to their injuries can also be reimbursed for lost income. If the injury will make it impossible to return to a full-time job, victims can also receive compensation for future losses in earning capacity.
The pain and emotional distress associated with a dog attack can be just as severe as the physical injuries. This can include a debilitating fear of dogs, sleeplessness, anxiety, shock, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
The owner of a biting dog may try to deny liability by claiming that the victim provoked the animal or trespassed on the property. A skilled dog bite attorney will be able to challenge these defenses effectively. They can also gather eyewitness statements to help strengthen a claim for damages. A list of witnesses should include neighbors, friends, and anyone else who may have seen the incident occur.