How Much Is a Dog Bite Settlement Worth?

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

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