In the United States, there are more than 4.5 million dog bites each year [1]. Dog bite injuries can range from being fairly mild to absolutely catastrophic. In fact, some dog bite victims die as a result of the injuries that they sustain during a dog attack.
The average dog bite settlement, as paid out by insurance, is around $64,555 [2]. However, not all dog bite claims are the same. The dog bite incidents included in this average include both the minor dog bite settlements to compensate for fully recoverable injuries to dog bite settlements that recovered more than a million dollars for catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a law firm that can help you seek compensation for the injuries sustained in animal attacks.
Whether you were attacked by an unleashed dog on the dog owner’s property or if the dog owner went into a public space while knowing about their dog’s dangerous propensities, it is possible to seek justice from the dog owner and their insurance company.
The best way to get an idea of what to expect in a dog bite settlement amount is to discuss your case with an experienced dog bite attorney during a free consultation. Use this online dog bite settlement calculator to consider the types of damages that you can recover through a dog bite claim.
Types of Damages Awarded in Dog Bite Cases
Understanding the types of damages you can claim in a dog bite case is essential for estimating your potential compensation. Dog bite injuries can vary significantly in severity, and the impact on your life can be profound. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the different categories of damages that might be included in your claim.
When calculating a dog bite settlement, several factors come into play. The severity of the injury, the clarity of the dog owner’s liability, your medical expenses, and the psychological impact of the attack all contribute to the final settlement amount.
For example, a dog bite that results in long-term nerve damage or disfigurement is likely to lead to a higher settlement than one involving a minor injury. Additionally, if the attack was particularly vicious or the owner’s negligence is evident, the settlement could include punitive damages aimed at deterring future negligence.
The average dog bite settlement varies, but understanding how damages are calculated can give you a clearer idea of what to expect.
Compensation may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even emotional distress. If the injury is minor, a minor dog bite settlement might focus more on immediate medical costs and recovery time, whereas more severe cases could include long-term care and therapy.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to securing the maximum compensation for clients who have suffered from dog bites. Our experienced legal team has successfully handled numerous dog bite cases, achieving significant settlements and verdicts. We take into account all aspects of your injury and life impact to ensure that your settlement is fully calculated and fair.
Toddler scarred by a Doberman Pincher
Teenager pushed into a bonfire by dog
Settlement for nerve damage and scarring
Elderly woman with multiple leg fractures
Child attacked by a German Shepherd
Teenager bitten on lips, nose, and ear
We provide compassionate and transparent support throughout the legal process, guiding you every step of the way to ensure you feel informed and confident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses related to the severe injuries you sustained in the dog attack. Most dog bite claims have a range of tangible, economic damages that can be claimed in a dog bite lawsuit. A dog bite victim would not have had to pay these expenses if there wasn’t a dog bite incident.
Medical Expenses
Enter the total amount of your medical expenses. This is how much you have spent on hospital bills, specialist visits, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs related to your dog bite injuries. If you need rehabilitation or wound care for your physical injuries, you can claim this, too.
Many victims require plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery. You can claim this in your settlement, even if your own personal medical insurance policy refuses to cover it because it considers this type of work cosmetic in nature.
Don’t forget to account for your future medical expenses, too. Many dog bite cases require ongoing medical treatment, so you want to make sure that your dog bite lawyer includes anticipated future costs in a fair settlement.
It can be challenging to accurately estimate what your future expenses will be. However, your lawyer can help you do this based on what you’ve already spent and what other people have had to spend in cases similar to yours.
Lost Wages
Enter your lost wages in terms of how much work you’ve missed and will miss because you suffered injuries. Recovering from the serious injuries sustained in dog attacks can take time. Some victims are out of work for a while while they receive the medical services they need to properly overcome their injuries.
If your dog bite attorneys can prove how you can no longer work in the same field or had to change careers as a result of your injuries, this lost income potential can also be considered in your injury claims for lost wages.
Property Damage
Enter the total cost of replacing any property damaged by the defendant’s dog. This could be items that are damaged through biting or the dog’s behavior. The settlement amount can include compensation to replace clothing, bicycles, smartphones, glasses, and other items.
In most states, pets are considered personal property. Their injuries or deaths could count as property damage. For example, in dog attacks that involve your pet who suffered injuries from the attack, your dog bite settlement may also include your pet’s veterinary bills.
Rehabilitation Costs
Consider the costs of any rehabilitation that you may require after the dog attack occurred. This can include the fees associated with living in a rehabilitation center, occupational therapy, vocational therapy or training, and other types of rehab. Your own medical insurance coverage may only cover a small portion of these expenses.
Also, calculate your ongoing need for these services in the future. Some victims only require rehabilitation for the first few months after being injured. However, some require rehabilitation services for years. You don’t want to be left having to pay for these services out of pocket when you can recover them from the insurance company through your dog bite settlement.
Therapy Costs
Depending on the injury severity, you may need to be in therapy to improve your mental health for a long time. You might be terrified of dogs or scared to go into public places for fear of what could happen to you if you do. Mental health services, such as therapy, are extremely important to properly recover and minimize the impact of this incident on your life.
Enter the total costs for therapy, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavior therapy you have paid or will have to pay because of your associated injuries. Your dog bite attorney can seek compensation for these costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages do not relate to the tangible financial expenses following dog attacks, but compensate for intangible factors, such as physical pain and trauma. It can be difficult to know how these factors will be assessed, and a personal injury lawyer from our team can help you get an idea based on previous cases that are similar to yours.
Pain and Suffering
Dog bites can be extremely painful. Pain and suffering could be added to your case to compensate you for the time you spent or will spend in pain. In most cases, pain and suffering is calculated using a multiplier of your economic damages.
Disfigurement
A dog attack can easily leave you disfigured. This can impact every aspect of your life, from your self-esteem to your career and romantic prospects. You can be compensated for this.
Emotional Trauma
The emotional pain suffered as the result of dog bite incidents can be considered non-economic damage to be added to your dog bite settlement.
Punitive Damages
Your dog bite attorney can advocate for punitive damages to be added to your case if the dog attack was particularly devastating or if dog owners knew about their dog’s aggressive behavior in advance and still put you at risk by exposing you to them.
Some states have a “one bite rule” where a dog’s owner may not know that their dog would bite. However, under the one bite rule, subsequent dog bites are taken very seriously.
Punitive damages are a type of damage that is intended to punish those responsible for acting especially egregiously or with disregard for human life. It isn’t assessed in most cases. However, dog bite settlements that include punitive damages can be of much higher value than those without it.
Wrongful Death
Most dog bite cases do not result in the death of the dog bite victim. However, there are cases where dog bite victims eventually pass away from their injuries. In these wrongful death cases, surviving family members can file a dog bite claim on their behalf. The types of damages that could be included in a dog bite claim related to wrongful death include:
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Your dog bite settlement can include the funeral and burial expenses for your loved one. This can include the expenses of any religious ceremonies, cremation, and funeral preparation. There is no reason that you must suffer through and pay these expenses on your own when the dog’s owner is responsible under strict liability laws.
Loss of Consortium
The loss of consortium is sometimes referred to as loss of companionship or loss of affection. This is a common form of non-economic damages in wrongful death cases, as your loved one is no longer there for you to provide emotional support.
Loss of Society
Loss of society refers to the loss of emotional benefits loved ones receive from their families. This is a common type of damage in wrongful death cases filed by spouses and children of the victim.
Medical Expenses
You can also claim your loved one’s medical bills in your wrongful death case if they died as a result of a dog attack. You can claim this whether they died right away and needed emergency medical care to attempt to revive them or if they succumbed to the serious injuries they suffered later.
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney for a Full Case Review!
There are many factors that influence how a dog bite settlement is calculated, and a dog bite attorney from our team can give you a better idea of what to expect during your initial consultation.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to securing the maximum compensation for clients who have suffered from dog bites. Whether your case involves a minor injury or more severe complications, we are equipped to navigate the legal complexities and fight vigorously on your behalf.
Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you don’t have to pay us anything upfront. Instead, you’ll pay a set percentage of the dog bite settlement amount we help you secure. If we can’t claim compensation for you, you don’t owe us anything for our services.
Book a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757. A member of our team is available 24 hours a day to help you get started.
Specific Cases We Handle
Resources: [1] Harvard Health, [2] iii
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