Dogs, often considered not just companions to men but also to women, have the potential to inflict severe physical, psychological harm, and even fatalities when they are not properly controlled. The presence of aggressive attack dogs can instill intense fear in individuals.
Claims for compensation stemming from dog-related injuries typically target the owner of the dog responsible for the harm, whether through a vicious attack, biting, or knocking someone down. Unleashed dogs wandering on public roads can lead to significant harm if they collide with vehicles like cars, bicycles, or motorcycles, forcing drivers and riders to make sudden evasive maneuvers. Most compensation lawsuits involve incidents where dogs are not properly restrained in public spaces.
Following a Dog Bite, You Can Recover these Damages
If a dog bites you, you can pursue compensation for the various damages you experience. A legal professional can assess your situation to identify the damages available for seeking. They can gather evidence to substantiate your incurred losses, utilizing receipts, invoices, and estimates.
Your attorney may try to settle your matter through an insurance claim. If this approach is unsuccessful, you retain the right to initiate a dog bite lawsuit against the dog owner and seek compensation as determined by a judge and jury.
Lost Earnings
If your injury impacts your work capacity in any manner, you may be eligible to claim reparation for lost income. This could encompass compensable losses such as missed tips, bonuses, commissions, contracts, and employment perks.
An attorney can assess your historical and anticipated lost earnings to ascertain the appropriate compensation to pursue. No matter the duration of your absence from work due to a dog bite, you can pursue recompense for that financial setback.
Emotional Distress
After being bitten by a dog, it is natural to experience emotional distress, especially considering the medical procedures like rabies shots that can induce significant stress. This stress may trigger additional emotional challenges such as anxiety and depression.
A dog bite incident can also instill a lasting fear of dogs, leading to potential development of post-traumatic stress disorder among victims. If you have endured any emotional suffering following a dog bite, these damages can be factored into your legal claim.
Your legal representative can assist in evaluating the extent of these emotional damages and reach out to mental health professionals to gather insights into the psychological impact of dog bites. This expert testimony can then be utilized to substantiate the value of your losses.
Pain and Suffering
Experiencing an injury can be a source of immense pain. This discomfort can potentially impact your mental well-being and overall lifestyle in the immediate future. Seeking compensation for the anguish endured acknowledges these challenges. The amount you may obtain is influenced by various factors, such as the severity of your injury and the specifics of the event.
Insurance companies may seek to evade responsibility for non-economic losses. Yet, with a dedicated legal advocate by your side, concerns about inadvertently agreeing to insufficient settlements are alleviated.
Possible Compensation from a Dog Bite Lawsuit
The unique circumstances of each case greatly vary when assessing it, making it challenging to assign a precise monetary value without fully understanding the details. In addition to the damages incurred, several factors may affect the potential compensation amount you could receive, including:
When determining your case’s potential value, your legal representative will consider these aspects.
Endnote
Act promptly in case of a dog bite incident involving you or a family member. Contact a seasoned personal injury lawyer today to book a no-cost consultation and gain insight into your legal rights and available avenues.
