Dog Bite & Attack Claims
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Claiming compensation for a dog bite
Dog bites can cause painful and sometimes serious injuries. The liability for a dog bite injury often lays with the dog owner or in some cases, a landlord, property owner or dog keeper. We may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Dog bites can occur due to various reasons, such as fear, aggression, or territorial behavior. According to a source, dogs may bite when they feel threatened, anxious, or stressed. They may also bite when they are in pain or have an underlying medical condition. In some cases, dogs may bite due to their predatory instincts or when they are protecting their territory or owners.
Dog bites can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. The dog's teeth and jaws are very powerful and can cause punctures, tears, or crush injuries to muscles and skin. In some cases, dog bites can penetrate through the chest wall and cause lung collapse or cause serious or fatal damage to intestinal organs.
What should I do?
If you are bitten by a dog, it is important to take immediate action to prevent infection and seek medical attention. Here are some steps you can take:
- Identify the dog and its owner. Immediately identify the owner of the dog or the person who had custody of the dog when it attacked you. Obtain the names and addresses and request proof of rabies vaccination. If this information cannot be obtained, you may be forced to undergo a series of rabies shots, which are expensive.
- Seek medical care. Depending upon the severity of the dog bite, contact first responders (9-1-1) for immediate medical attention or have someone drive you to emergency care. Always seek professional medical treatment after being bitten or attacked by a dog. The risk of infection from a dog bite is far too great to ignore.
- File a dog bite report. After you've been medically treated -- even if the injury was minor -- file a dog bite report with the proper city or county authorities. This legally documents your case and provides help to the next victim who may be bitten or attacked by the same dog. Without a paper trail, authorities cannot enforce effectively.
- Gather more information. After identifying the dog and its owner, find out more about the dog. Obtain the dog license information and any records pertaining to its previous history. Has the dog bitten or attacked a person or animal prior to biting you? Has the dog been legally designated 'potentially dangerous' or 'dangerous' by authorities?
- Photograph your injuries. Take photos of your injuries, even if you need to unwrap gauze. Confer with a doctor or nurse as needed. They will tell you a safe manner in which to do so. It is also recommended that you photograph all of your wounds, including bruises, as well as all torn, bloody clothing and the location of the dog attack.
- Contact an attorney. Contact a dog bite attorney right away. The legal issues surrounding dog bites are always complex and difficult to navigate through. Your dog bite lawyer (or personal injury lawyer) is the only person besides the medical doctor who treats your injuries that will look after your best interest from this point forward.
- Begin a journal. If you seek medical compensation for your injury, start a journal as soon as you can. Spend a little time each day recording your thoughts for the few first weeks after the attack. Dog bite claims often take several years to complete. Anticipate keeping this journal on a weekly basis over the course of this time.
How much is my claim worth?
Whether you settle or sue, it is important to understand how much your bite injury might be worth. This is best determined not by looking at average dog bite settlement amounts or dog bite examples, but instead by understanding the types of things you should be compensated for. When you are harmed by a dog bite, you should be paid for actual financial loss as well as or non-economic damages you experienced as a direct result of the bite. This should include compensation for the following losses:
- Medical bills incurred due to the bite.. This includes past bills you've already paid as well as any future bills if you will need ongoing care. You should be paid for things like hospital bills, plastic surgery, therapy bills and other care you must get due to the bite.
- Lost wages and lost earning power.. When a bite incident prevents you from working or limits the kinds of work you can do, you should be compensated for all wages lost as a result of the bite.
- The victim's Pain and suffering.. The amount of lost wages that the victim has suffered is also a key factor. The insurance company will likely be willing to pay more for a claim with higher Lost wages.
- Veterinary bills.. If your own animal was attacked in the bite incident, you may be entitled to compensation for veterinary bills for your pet's care.
- Lost quality of life.. Bite injuries can be disfiguring and can affect every aspect of your life and your ability to enjoy your activities. If your quality of life diminishes due to the incident with the dog, you are entitled to compensation.
- Emotional distress.. If you experience emotional distress due to the bite incident, you should be compensated. This can include payment for anxiety-related issues or PTSD if you relive the dog attack due to the trauma of the event.
A few extra useful tips
If you've been bitten by a dog, taking the right steps immediately after the incident is crucial for your health and any potential legal claim.
Here are some important tips to follow:
- Get owner's details. Obtain the name, contact information, and any insurance details from the dog's owner.
- Seek medical attention. It is critical to see a doctor as soon as possible, even for minor bites, to prevent infection and document your injuries.
- Report the bite. Report the incident to your local animal control or police department. An official report can be a vital piece of evidence.
- Document everything. Take photos of your injuries, the location of the incident, and gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Consult an attorney. Speak with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in dog bite cases to understand your legal rights and options for compensation.
Following these steps can help protect your health and strengthen your case if you decide to pursue a claim for your injuries.