How Much Is a Dog Bite Settlement Worth?

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Dogs are typically very friendly animals that are a popular pet choice among Americans across the country. According to a survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2020, some 62 million households own dogs alone in the US. That is a lot of dogs out there. And while most dogs are friendly, any kind of dog can bite a person. It may not always be on purpose, but it can happen even from the nicest dog you may know.

And while there are ways to help prevent dog bites, such as owners ensuring their pets are properly fenced if left outside on their property and training their dogs, bites can still happen even with proper precautions in place. Occasionally, some dogs may even be considered dangerous or vicious as well. Owners of dangerous or vicious dogs are often required to take extra precautions when it comes to ensuring their dogs are properly fenced in addition to the normal steps a dog owner will take.

But no matter the type of dog someone may have been bitten by; you may potentially have grounds to bring a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner –- particularly if the bite occurred due to negligence on the owner’s part or another responsible party like a kennel owner, dog walker, or property owner.

Below we will go over how much a dog bite settlement may be worth and what kind of factors are taken into consideration when determining the financial worth of a dog bite claim.

Disclaimer: The following is not intended as legal advice. Please consult with a Columbus personal injury attorney on your individual case for legal guidance and representation.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Settlement Worth?

If you or a loved one believes that you have grounds for a dog bite claim, a big question you may have is how much a dog bite settlement may be worth. There is unfortunately no straight forward answer to this question as every case is going to be different.

We can look at dog bite claim payout numbers that insurance companies have paid out in recent years for hard numbers. For example, the Insurance Information Institute reported in 2022 that U.S. insurers had paid out more than $1 billion for dog-related injury claims that year. That amount was a 2.2% increase in claims for both general dog-related injuries and dog bites compared to the previous year.

And while these kinds of numbers show us an overall view of exactly what insurance companies are paying out to dog bite victims, it is very difficult to offer up an average idea of what each individual dog bite personal injury claim may be worth. So, to better answer this question, it is important to understand what factors affect a claim amount or settlement.

The key factors that are considered in dog bite personal injury claims include:

  • Liability: State laws can differ on what exactly a dog owner may be liable for if their dog has attacked someone. You and your dog bite lawyer in Columbus will need to be able to establish proof of negligence on the part of the dog owner in order to hold them liable.
  • Injury severity: The severity of the injury or injuries you suffered will be taken into consideration.
  • Insurance coverage: Whether or not the liable party is covered by insurance and how much their insurance company will cover in terms of a liability policy will be considered when determining a personal injury claim or settlement amount.
  • Medical Expenses: Documentation of medical bills, lost wages, and future treatment costs is crucial in determining economic damages.
  • Pain and Suffering: Alongside any injuries you sustain, additional financial losses like lost income, your medical expenses, and even things like pain and suffering may be used to determine the amount of your claim.

Potential Damages You Can Recover from a Dog Bite Claim

The types of compensation available for a personal injury claim include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have a clear financial number associated with them, such as medical expenses and lost income, while non-economic damages like emotional distress do not have such a specific financial cost associated.

Potential damages include:

  • Medical expenses (Current and future)
  • Lost income (Current and future)
  • Lost earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Veterinary bills (in instances where your dog was attacked by another dog)
  • Punitive damages: In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the dog owner’s actions were particularly egregious.

Consulting with a Legal Professional

Navigating the legal complexities of a dog bite case can be challenging. It’s strongly recommended to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney in Columbus who specializes in dog bite cases. They can provide expert guidance, assess your case, and help you maximize your potential compensation.

About the Author

The Friedmann Firm, LLC is an employment and personal injury law firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Originally founded in 2012, The Friedmann Firm has represented clients throughout Ohio with an aggressive and compassionate approach. For personal injury cases in particular, their team of Columbus personal injury attorneys bring legal expertise, and a deep understanding of how life-altering injuries can be to the table. They handle all manner of personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, and dog bite cases. They offer free and confidential consultations that can be scheduled over the phone or by reaching out online.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Securing Fair Compensation: The Essential Role of Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

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Dog bite incidents can lead to severe physical injuries and emotional trauma. Dealing with the aftermath of such events not only involves medical care but also navigating the complex legal landscape to secure fair compensation. Chionuma Dog Bite Injury Lawyers are pivotal in helping victims understand their legal rights and pursue claims against those responsible. We will explore the multiple aspects of what dog bite injury lawyers do and how they assist victims in achieving justice and appropriate compensation.

Aspects of What Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Do

  1. Understanding Dog Bite Laws

Dog bite injury lawyers thoroughly know local and state laws for dog bite cases. These laws vary widely, with some states holding dog owners strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause. In contrast, others apply a “one-bite rule” that may protect owners from liability if their dog has never shown aggression. Lawyers must navigate these laws to build effective cases. This involves a deep dive into the specifics of each incident, including whether the victim had a lawful right to be at the location of the attack and if any negligence on the victim’s part might affect the claim, such as ignoring posted warning signs.

  1. Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

When a victim approaches a dog bite injury lawyer, the first step is usually an in-depth consultation. During this meeting, the lawyer assesses the case details, enclosing the circumstances of the dog bite, the extent of the injuries, and the potential liability of the dog owner or others. This phase is critical for building a foundation for the case. The lawyer will evaluate whether the evidence will likely support a claim, discuss the potential outcomes, and outline the steps in pursuing legal action.

  1. Investigative Process

A comprehensive investigation is paramount to substantiate a dog bite claim. Dog bite injury lawyers often work with investigators to document the incident scene, gather witness statements, and obtain medical records detailing the injuries sustained. They may also need to research the dog’s history of aggression and gather evidence regarding previous complaints about the animal. This information can be paramount for establishing a behavior pattern supporting the victim’s case.

  1. Dealing with Insurance Companies

Many dog bite cases implicate negotiations with insurance companies, as homeowners’ insurance policies often cover injuries inflicted by pets. Dog bite lawyers are skilled in dealing with insurance adjusters, typically concentrating on minimizing the company’s payout. The lawyer’s role is to ensure that the compensation proposed reflects the full extent of the damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other related costs.

  1. Litigation and Trial Proceedings

The case may go to trial if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached. Dog bite injury lawyers prepare by developing a strong argument, gathering admissible evidence, and planning witness testimony. They represent their clients in court, presenting the case to a judge or jury and arguing for the compensation due based on the damages suffered and the liability established. Their ability to persuasively present the case can significantly impact the outcome.

  1. Legal Advice and Client Support

Apart from their legal duties, dog bite injury lawyers provide ongoing advice and support to their clients throughout the case. This includes explaining legal terms, updating them on the progress of their case, and preparing them for depositions or court appearances. Emotional support is also a critical component, as victims may be dealing with trauma and fear stemming from the attack.

  1. Advocating for Preventive Measures

Beyond individual cases, dog bite injury lawyers often advocate for broader preventive measures to reduce the incidence of dog bites. This can enclose supporting legislation that promotes responsible pet ownership and community safety measures such as leash laws and proper fencing. By working on these fronts, lawyers contribute to the community’s safety while highlighting the serious nature of dog bite injuries.

  1. Post-Settlement Processes

After a settlement or court verdict is reached, the lawyer’s work may still need to be done. They often assist in collecting the awarded amounts and work with financial planners or guardians to ensure that the compensation is managed appropriately, especially in cases implicating significant long-term care or disability. This may implicate setting up trusts or structured settlements for the victim’s needs over time.

Selecting a Competent Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

  1. Research and Referrals

Start by conducting thorough research. Look for attorneys who focus specifically on personal injury cases involving animal attacks. You can search online legal directories that categorize lawyers by their practice areas. Reading through these profiles can give you an idea of their experience handling similar cases. Additionally, ask for referrals from friends, family, or professionals like your family lawyer. Personal recommendations can be invaluable because they come with firsthand accounts of the lawyer’s handling of cases and their ability to communicate effectively with clients. Online reviews and testimonials on independent websites can also provide insight into the lawyer’s reputation and success in managing dog bite cases.

 

  1. Initial Consultation and Case Assessment

Once you have shortlisted a few lawyers, arrange an initial consultation, which many lawyers offer for free. Use this opportunity to discuss the specifics of your case and observe how the lawyer evaluates your situation. It’s important to note how thoroughly they understand the implications of your case and how they plan to approach it. Ask about their previous experiences with similar cases and what outcomes they achieved. This meeting is also the right time to discuss their fees and whether they work on a contingency fee basis, which can alleviate financial pressure as you will not have to pay unless they win your case. Additionally, evaluate their communication style and responsiveness during this meeting—qualities that are crucial for maintaining a smooth client-lawyer relationship throughout your case.

Dog bite injury lawyers fulfill a crucial function by ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve and holding pet owners accountable for their animals’ actions. Their detailed legal work, investigative efforts, and dedicated representation help mitigate the impact of dog bite injuries and support victims through their recovery journey. Their work not only brings justice to the affected individuals but also promotes safer community standards to prevent future incidents.

Mike

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What to do if your dog bites someone?

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PET DOG BITES SOMEONE

You are walking in a park with your dog, like any other day, and all of a sudden, your dog bites a stranger. The biting happened faster than you could imagine. You do not know now what to do. You feel extremely anxious and responsible for what has just happened.

At times, dogs chase after strangers or suspicious-looking people in public places. Then there are times when they become violent and pose threats to the people around them. They may even bite small children in the park. Can you imagine a parent’s terror when they find out that someone else’s dog has bitten their child? When your dog bites someone, it is 100 percent your responsibility to fix the situation. Continue reading this article to learn practical tips to handle such a situation.

Take The Dog Away: When the dog bites someone in a public space, take the dog away and lock him somewhere safe for the time being. The victim might be too stunned to do anything. The dog might be barking at the victim if he is not immediately removed from the scene.

Attend To The Victim: Once the dog is at a safe distance, you need to attend to the victim. Let them know that you care and take full responsibility for the situation. Help them wash the wound with antiseptic soap and warm water. You must call the doctor on their behalf and make a quick appointment. If the injury is severe, call an ambulance to take the victim to the hospital as soon as possible. Even if the bite does not look serious, one must seek medical attention because a bite mark can infect the skin in a matter of days if not treated properly.

  • It is natural if the victim asks for your insurance information. Your insurance company must pay for the medical bills of the victim. Therefore, be sure to provide your contact number and medical information to the victim.
  • Show proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination to the victim. It will show that you are a responsible dog owner and that the victim does not have anything to worry about. Once the wound heals itself, he will be good as new.
  • However, if the insurance company denies the claim and refuses to pay for the medical expenses, contact an experienced lawyer. The experts at Creed and Creed Law know how the insurance company works. Therefore, a lawyer will be able to assist you in getting the money you need to pay the victim for his medical expenses.

Inform Authorities: If possible, inform the local authority of the situation and state that you do not want to avoid responsibility for what had happened previously. You should do what is necessary and take your dog to the vet. Let the Veterinarian know the details. The doctors may be able to identify the reason for such violent behavior. The dog may have to be quarantined if it is not vaccinated recently. Your dog may even be labeled a “dangerous dog” if it has a history of biting people.

Mike

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Dog Bite Injuries in Denver

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A dog bite can cause severe injuries, permanent scarring and disfigurement, mental anguish, and in the most tragic cases, death. It’s a traumatic experience that can have a lasting impact on the victim’s life. Even if the physical scars heal, the emotional scars can last a lifetime. It’s important to understand state laws and statutes surrounding an incident like this. If the dog owner was somehow responsible for causing your injury, you might be entitled to financial compensation.

Denver dog bite injury attorneys have experience and resources to assist you with your legal case to ensure you receive the justice you rightfully deserve. Below, we’ll discuss Colorado’s dog bite laws in detail.

Colorado Dog Bite Laws

According to Colorado statute 13-21-124, you could potentially hold the dog owner liable for the injury you suffered if:

  • You were lawfully on private or public property; and
  • The bite caused severe bodily injury or fatality.

Premises liability is a broad category that includes various situations where someone gets hurt on another person’s property due to their actions. There are premises liability lawyers in Denver that can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover the monetary award you need for your losses. To pursue this after a dog causes your injuries, you must use one of the following legal bases:

Strict liability only applies to situations where the victim sustained a dog bite. Under the statute above, the injury must be severe or fatal and occur on public or private property. It does not matter if the owner knew or should have known that their dog was aggressive or would bite someone.

Negligence refers to one party’s failure to act in a way that avoids harm to another. If a dog hurts you but doesn’t actually bite you, you wouldn’t be allowed to use strict liability as the basis of your legal case. You also must show evidence that the at-fault party’s actions directly led to your injury.

For example, some large dogs are strong enough to knock a person to   the ground and cause a concussion, broken bones, or cuts and wounds. If the dog wasn’t on a leash and charged at you, the owner would be negligent in this situation.

How to Handle a Dog Bite Injury

The most important thing to remember is that you should begin the legal process immediately after the incident. The longer you wait, the harder it might be to locate crucial evidence and find witnesses that can testify to what happened to you in court. Your premises liability attorney in Denver will need to investigate your case to determine if the dog owner is liable and find a way to prove it.

Step 1: Don’t let the dog get away. Call animal control if it’s a stray and keep it confined to an area where it can’t run. If the owner is around, tell them what happened and write down their name and contact information.

Step 2: Take photos at the scene of the attack. That should include a picture of the dog, your visible injuries, and any property damage that occurred during the incident. You should also obtain details about the dog’s history from the owner, such as its breed, recent vaccinations, and if there’s a history of violence.

Step 3: File a report. You can notify animal control to ensure it doesn’t hurt anyone else. If you’re in a public place, such as a restaurant, tell the manager and ask to complete an incident report. You might be able to file a claim with the business owner’s insurance company.

Step 4: Go to the doctor. It’s crucial that you don’t wait for days or weeks before seeking initial medical care. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as evidence that the injury never happened or it’s not serious enough to require medical intervention.

Step 5: File a claim or lawsuit. Various factors determine who you can seek compensation from after a dog bite. For example, if it happened at a friend’s house, you could file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance. If you were attacked on someone’s public property, you could file a claim with the property or business owner’s liability insurance. You could also sue the dog owner directly if their carelessness led to your injuries.

Step 6: Hire a premises liability attorney in Denver. Individuals who retain someone’s legal services typically receive higher compensation than those who choose to pursue their case alone.

Dog bite claims typically fall under the area of injury law known as premises liability. Premises liability lawyers in Denver will fight hard for the justice and compensation you deserve. Your attorney will be able to inform you of all your rights and legal options when you schedule a consultation to discuss your case in detail with them. Remember that time is limited to take legal action, so contact a dog bite attorney right away for help.

Jessica

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What Happens If You Get Bitten by a Dog?

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No one intends to be bitten by a dog, but sometimes man’s best friend doesn’t know better or wasn’t properly raised to distinguish friend from foe. Maybe you unknowingly egged on the canine and a reflexive action on its part turned sour, and you’re left with a nasty bite.

So, what do you do when you’ve been bitten by someone’s dog? 

Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you need to do when bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention immediately. The risk of infection in an open wound is too high to simply go home and slap an adhesive bandage on the bite. Dog bite wounds will need to be professionally cleaned and dressed to prevent infection.

Depending on the situation, rabies vaccination may also be necessary to reduce the risk of contracting the disease yourself.

Compensation with a Columbus Dog Bite Attorney

The more severe dog bites can put you in the hospital—and out of work—for an indeterminate amount of time. As your medical bills pile up fighting infection or undergoing operations, you could also miss out on wages earned. This is when a Columbus dog bite attorney can help you seek compensation for your medical bills and injuries.

The Ohio Revised Code, like many other states, allows Columbus dog bite lawyers to help victims seek compensation for their injuries and bills. The Ohio Revised Code § 955.28 states that those in charge of a dog are liable in “damages for injury, death, or loss to a person that is caused by the dog . . .”  Liability falls on owners, keepers, and harborers of the canine. This means that if a friend of the owner had taken the dog on a walk through the park and that dog bit somebody, the friend becomes liable.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog and need to seek compensation for your injuries, contact Heit Law for a successful and professional Columbus dog bite attorney.

Defenses for Dog Bite Charges

While the Ohio Revised Code holds strict liability for owners of dogs that have bitten other people, there are defenses a Columbus dog bite defense attorney can use against someone seeking compensation.

Liability does not fall on a dog owner in certain situations such as the following:

  • The individual who was bitten was committing or attempting to commit a trespass on the property of the owner,
  • The bitten individual was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against any person on the owner’s property, and

The bitten was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner’s property.

Mike

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.