The Cost of Dog Bites: A Comprehensive Look at Settlement Amounts for Lawsuits
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the State of New Jersey was ranked in the top 10 when it comes to the estimated number of dog bite claims and their cost in 2022. Consider the following statistics shared:- There were 550 dog bite claims in New Jersey.
- The average cost of these claims was $74,837.
- The total value of these claims was $41.2 million.
Claim Coverage
Dog bite claims are generally filed with the dog owner’s homeowner, renter, condo, or co-op insurance. Other possibilities, however, can include the following:- The dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance
- The dog owner’s landlord’s insurance
- The dog owner’s car insurance
- The dog owner’s canine liability coverage
- The dog owner’s general liability coverage or umbrella insurance policy
Our Cases
Some of the results we’ve fought for and obtained for our valued clients at The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer include the following:- $900,000 for a boy attacked by a husky
- $450,000 for an HVAC service provider who suffered serious back injuries as a result of a dog attack
- $300,000 for a teenage girl who suffered facial injuries and permanent scarring when attacked by a mixed-breed pit bull
- $275,000 for a young woman who suffered calf wounds and permanent scarring from the bite of a rottweiler
Factors That Affect Dog Bite Settlements: Understanding How the Law Determines Damages
A wide range of factors will guide how your dog bite claim is settled. Every dog bite settlement is based on the losses the claimant suffers as a result of being attacked by the defendant’s dog. These losses are called legal damages, and In the State of New Jersey, claimants can seek compensation for losses that fall into several primary categories.Medical Expenses
When a dog bites into the flesh of a victim, they tear and gnashes at the skin and underlying tissue, which leaves a jagged, smashed wound that is highly prone to infection, is very slow to heal, and is very likely to leave serious scars. When the bite is on the victim’s hand or another jointed area, the damage can be that much more challenging to recover from, and when the victim’s face is affected, it can lead to permanent disfigurement. The medical expenses related to a serious dog bite can be extensive and may include costs associated with long-term care related to secondary health concerns and injury complications. When joint damage is involved, ongoing physical and occupational therapy, along with multiple surgeries, are often required.Lost Income
Recovery after a serious dog bite can be slow going, and it can keep victims off the job, which, in turn, can drastically reduce their earnings. If the injury disrupts the claimant’s ability to continue developing their career or interferes with their earning potential, the related financial losses are that much more serious. When a victim’s career is negatively impacted, there are also emotional consequences to be considered.Pain and Suffering
It is difficult to accurately describe the pain and suffering associated with being attacked by someone else’s dog. When aroused to aggression, dogs can be vicious, and humans are especially vulnerable to their attack. As such, the physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced by victims can lead to PTSD-like symptoms that can hinder a victim’s overall recovery. Each of these categories of loss must be carefully assessed to obtain fair compensation that covers your complete damages.When to Seek Legal Action: How to Determine Whether a Dog Bite Case Is Worth Pursuing
Many people who’ve been harmed by the aggression of someone else’s dog are hesitant to reach out for legal guidance because they’re not sure where the legal line is drawn. While some states do implement a so-called one-bite law that affords dog owners the benefit of the doubt regarding a pet’s first offense, this is not the case in New Jersey. Even if the bite you suffer is the animal’s first show of aggression, your case is worth pursuing if you experience related medical expenses or lost earnings – and attendant pain and suffering – as a result. Your case is important, and your legal rights matter. Because your losses are all too real, reaching out for the legal guidance of a seasoned dog bite lawyer is always well-advised. Only if you were trespassing on the property where you were attacked by the dog or if you directly provoked the animal are you barred from obtaining just compensation – and these caveats rarely apply. Discussing your claim with a knowledgeable dog bite attorney soon after the attack is the surest way of determining if you have a viable claim.Maximizing Compensation: Tips for Navigating Dog Bite Lawsuits and Settlement Negotiations
On the path toward reaching a fair settlement, there are several steps you can take to help protect your claim and your health:- Focus on your health by seeking the immediate medical attention that you need and by carefully following your medical team’s instructions and advice.
- Seek professional legal guidance as early in the process as you can.
- Keep in mind that the insurance company handling your claim is intent on keeping your settlement as low as possible by all available means, and skip providing them with a statement, which can be misinterpreted and used against you.
- Stay off social media while your claim is pending for the same reason.
Evidence in Your Claim
The success of your dog bite claim will hinge on the strength of your evidence, which you will look to your dog bite lawyer to carefully gather and skillfully compile. Such evidence can include all the following:- Your medical records, which support the extent of your current medical costs and the potential need for future related expenses
- Your doctor’s analysis of your current condition and prognosis
- Your pay records, which indicate the extent of the financial losses you have experienced
- Any police reports generated
- The testimony of eyewitnesses at the scene of the attack
- Any videos or photos taken at the scene of the attack
- Photos of your bite wounds
- The testimony of those you know well – in relation to how the dog attack has affected you both physically and emotionally
- The testimony of those with expertise in dog bite injuries and dog attacks
Your Attorney’s Role
Having a seasoned dog bite attorney in your corner can make a vast difference in the outcome of your claim. Your skilled legal counsel will ably take on all the following primary roles:- Helping you understand and successfully negotiate the dog bite claims process – and helping to ensure that you make well-informed decisions that protect your legal rights along the way
- Gathering and crafting all the available evidence into a claim that proves the dog owner’s liability in the matter and that clearly identifies each category of covered loss you experience, in its entirety.
- Communicating with the involved insurance company on your behalf – ensuring that you will not need to
- Knowledgeably negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement that provides you with the compensation you need to regain your physical and emotional health and well-being to the extent possible.
- Being well prepared to take your claim to court if the involved insurance company refuses to engage in fair negotiations that honor your legal rights
