Personal Injury Law: What You Need To Know About Dog Bites Compensations

Posted on: 11 November 2021

Although dogs are man's best friend, sometimes they become aggressive and bite, and you have to protect yourself from the effects of the injury. If you are a dog bite victim, you should seek immediate medical attention. The doctors may need to hospitalize or perform surgery on you since most dog bites usually result in disfigurement or scarring of the area. You also need to seek justice through a personal injury attorney. You get compensation for a dog bite based on the following factors.

Medical Bills Incurred

It is advisable to get to the nearest medical facility for treatment after such a bite. When you start feeling better, find a good personal injury lawyer to help you get compensated for the medical bills accrued at the hospital. These might include physical therapy and psychological treatment that often leave victims traumatized. In some cases, the victim may end up in the hospital, not because of a bite, but because the dog pushed them over, thus worsening their current medical condition. The pet owner should pay to cover those hospital bills.

The Pain and Suffering Experienced

Dog bites are usually very painful and almost unbearable. There is also emotional pain involved, and you may even develop a fear of the outdoors, depression, insomnia, and psychological problems. There have also been extreme cases where victims developed PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Therefore, you should be compensated based on the possible recurrence of the same issues and the seriousness of the wound. It is also good to note that the jury is often more sympathetic in cases involving children. Discuss ways of documenting and proving this pain with your lawyer.

Loss of Income and Consortium

You might be absent from work during the treatment and healing process, which means you will not get paid. Your injury lawyer must ensure you are receiving some amount to make up for this. The compensation should also include loss of future income. Additionally, the judge will consider that you will be away from your spouse and have you compensated for the loss of consortium. The court is also considerate in cases where a parent and child relationship is affected. Your lawyer will look for angles that make your case stronger.

The above points show that dog bites often leave the victims with massive injuries and substantial medical bills. Speak to a lawyer about your case for a quick resolution. 

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