Dog bites are often associated with serious physical, mental, and financial problems for the victims. A dog’s attack can lead to injuries ranging in severity from minor punctures to severe and life-altering trauma. Understanding how your dog attack lawyer calculates the compensation you are entitled to is essential if a pet bites you. Here’s a closer look at how a law firm specializing in dog bites calculates compensation.
- Evaluating Medical Expenses
Medical expenses incurred due to the attack are one of many factors that go into calculating compensation. A dog attack lawyer will consider the victim’s current and future medical needs. This includes the following:
- Follow-up costs: Prescriptions, doctor visits, and other related treatments.
- Long-term health care: Some victims require long-term medical treatment. This could include surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, and mental health treatments.
The dog bite law firm will normally gather all medical receipts and bills to calculate the compensation. In cases where a victim needs long-term health care, the lawyer might also work with specialists to estimate future medical bills.
- Pain And Suffering
While medical costs are easy to calculate, the subjective element of pain and discomfort is difficult. The pain and distress that the victim feels as a consequence of the dog bite is considered to be pain and discomfort.
This can include
- Physical pain: the pain caused by an initial injury or surgery and any discomfort felt during recovery.
- Emotional distress: Many dog bite victims have post-traumatic symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. Phobias and fears of dogs can also affect the quality of their life.
A dog-attack lawyer will also consider the emotional impact, any long-term consequences, and the severity of the injury. Lawyers may use medical records or expert testimony to estimate the victim’s suffering.
- Lost Wages And Earning Capacity
A dog bite may temporarily or permanently disrupt the victim’s working ability. When calculating damages, a dog attack lawyer considers both lost wages and the victim’s ability to earn. This includes
- Compensation for lost wages: If a victim is forced to miss work due to a dog bite injury, they will be compensated for the lost wages.
- Future earning ability: If an injury leads to long-term impairment or disability, the attorney will assess the impact on the victim’s potential to earn a livelihood. This may involve vocational retraining and/or decreased earning potential due to the victim’s physical or psychological limitations.
Compensation for lost earnings capacity is often a part of a claim when a victim becomes permanently disabled or cannot return to work.
- The Dog Owner’s Liability And Insurance
The dog owner’s responsibility is a major factor in determining the compensation. A dog owner who was negligent in controlling the pet or failed to follow local laws for animal control could be held liable for the attack. A dog-attack lawyer will consider several factors.
- Your dog’s history: A dog with a prior history of aggression can increase the owner’s liability.
- Local laws: There are strict local laws that govern dog ownership. Suppose the owner violates such laws as not leashing their dog or letting it roam freely. In that case, they may be entitled to greater compensation.
- Homeowner’s coverage: Most dog bite claims are covered by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. A dog attack attorney will examine the policy to determine if medical bills and damage can be covered.
Suppose the dog owners’ liability is clear, and their insurer covers the claim. In that case, this may help speed up the compensation procedure.
- Comparative Negligence
In some situations, the victim is partially responsible for an attack. For example, if you provoked your dog or entered the property without permission, the dog’s owner may be less liable. Comparative negligence is what this concept is all about.
In states with comparative neglect, the victim’s compensation may be reduced by the amount of their fault. A dog bite lawyer will examine all the details of the incident and then determine if the laws in your state are applicable.
Conclusion
Calculating compensation can be difficult, but a lawyer specializing in dog attacks can help. In calculating compensation, a lawyer considers all factors, from medical expenses to decreased wages and even agony and discomfort. A lawyer will help victims by evaluating their injuries, the dog’s owner’s responsibility, and many other factors. You should consult a lawyer experienced in dog attacks if you’ve suffered injuries or losses after being bitten by a canine.
