How Much Can I Sue for a Dog Bite?
Dogs. They are said to be man’s best friend. They are cute, cuddly, and love to play fetch. Though, they sure do love to eat and sleep, too. It does not matter how wonderful a dog is. There might come a day when the dog may snap. You may unexpectedly be on the receiving end of a dog bite and wondering, “how much can I sue for a dog bite?”
Continue reading for more information.
Introduction
Sometimes a dog bite results from feeling threatened; other times, it could be their way of protecting their owner. And sometimes, a dog attacks or bites for reasons we may not understand.
Millions of dog bites occur throughout the United States every year. If you have ever been on the receiving end of a dog’s aggression, you may be wondering what your rights are – and how you can be compensated for your injuries. We’ve got some information for you to help give you some clarity.
So, how much can you sue for a dog bite? Let’s find out.
The Extent of the Dog Bite
Dog bites can come in all sizes. They can be a minor bite, a fatal attack, and everything in between. And in California, the size of the bite or attack does not matter – you can sue for a dog bite.
Some of the most common injuries sustained by dog bites include:
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Dismemberment
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
As a result, these injuries can lead to things like emergency medical treatment, surgical care, extended medical care, and mental health treatment. They can even leave some victims permanently disabled and require lifelong care and support.
It is safe to say that dog bites can significantly impact one’s life.
The One-Bite Rule
Some dogs go their whole lives, never attacking anything. For the most part, they are good-natured, loving pets. This may be why some states allow them to have a free pass when they bite someone for the first time.
The “one-bite rule,” as it is often referred to, is something that quite a few states have adopted. It is considered a warning bite. Because dogs sometimes feel threatened and react with a bite, some states will forgive a dog’s first bite. But if it happens again, they are out of luck. These states include:
- Nevada
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Virginia
- Wyoming
- Texas
- New Mexico
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Mississippi
- New York
The idea behind the law is that it allows owners to know that their dog has the potential to be aggressive – and then take action accordingly. Should it happen again, the owner is held responsible.
California does not have the one-bite rule. It does not even matter whether the bite is big or small. In other words, there will be consequences even if the calmest dog snaps and bites.
Providing Liability: Who is Held Responsible for a Dog’s Actions?
Proving liability must be done to get compensation for your injuries in a dog bite case. This means proving that the dog’s owner was negligent. This includes putting together a case that shows the following:
- The dog belongs to the defendant in the case
- That the dog bite occurred on the victim’s private property or in public
- That the dog bite significantly impacted the victim physically and/or mentally
- The dog bite had been the cause of the injury
Compensatory Damages
In a nutshell, the dog owner must pay compensatory damages to the dog bite victim based on medical bills for an ambulance ride, treatment, medication, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and so forth. Adding up these damages can be as easy as calculating their bills.
Compensatory damages also include compensation for pain and suffering, loss of income, and even loss of future earning potential. This involves weighing the bite’s location, the severity of the bite, your future outlook based on professional opinion, and so forth.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a bit different. These are more a punishment for the dog’s owner rather than compensating you for something you lost due to the attack. Punitive damages cannot be sought in all dog bite cases but are a possibility for repeat offenders.
Punitive damages can vary but can impact the dog, its owner, or both. For example, the owner may not be allowed to have another dog for a certain amount of time, have to participate in community service, be restricted from visiting public places with the dog, and sometimes dogs are ordered to be euthanized.
How Much Can I Sue for a Dog Bite?
So, how much can you sue for? It truly depends on the case. Minor bites will result in less damage, whereas more significant bites will warrant greater damage. It is not unheard of for dog bite victims to file a claim for around $50,000 or more. For those that involve dismemberment, disfigurement, scarring, injuries to the face, or injuries to a small child, the claim can well exceed $100,000.
When a dog bite case involves loss of life or even injuries that will last a lifetime, these cases can turn into settlements that include multi-million dollars.
An experienced attorney and legal team can help you determine the right amount of claim based on your case’s specific details.
You Need a Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites happen more often than you may think. And they can lead to significant impacts on one’s life. Everything from proving the owner’s negligence to determining the compensation details requires legal experience and knowledge.
Besides, being the victim of a dog bite can leave you both physically and mentally impacted. And trying to navigate the court process can be too much to handle in this situation. Don’t allow yourself to miss out on the compensation you deserve by trying to do things yourself.
Hire a lawyer with extensive experience to put your needs first while you confidently rest in peace.
Are you in search for a certified attorney to represent you?
Let us help you find one today!