If a dog has injured you through a dog bite, a dog attack, a dog causing you to fall, or other circumstances, you deserve to get compensated for your losses. Dog bites and injuries related to dogs happen. They can happen anywhere and anytime. They often happen in the home or the neighborhood.
Children can be especially vulnerable. Dog bites for children under 18 were by the family pet or the neighbor’s dog in 80% of cases.
When you suffer injuries, your life can change instantly. Understanding what types of compensation you can pursue for a dog bite settlement can help you take the first steps.
In most cases, the dog owner’s home insurance company will be the party responsible for paying for losses. Deciding who to hold accountable is one of the steps your dog bite attorney will determine for your dog bite claim.
For a dog bite insurance claims settlement or any dog bite claim, the case will focus on the following main areas to compensate the victim for their losses.
Medical Bills
A dog bite can require hospitalization, specialist care, or ongoing physical therapy, depending on the types of injuries. Medical bills can add up. Maintain a file of the medical bills and medications to stay organized. In preparing your dog bite case, future medical costs are also taken into consideration.
Lost Wages
Recovering from a dog attack may mean you can’t go to work. You may also require time off work to attend medical appointments. In some cases, a victim may not be able to return to the job they once had and may have reduced income due to their limited capabilities from the injuries. Time off work may also have resulted in a lost promotion or raise or lost sales commissions.
Property Damage
In many cases, property damages may only be any clothing torn or ripped at the time of the attack, but it could also include a damaged phone or eyeglasses. If a chasing dog caused a bike or car accident, that may also become part of the dog bite settlement.
Pain and Suffering
Though emotional trauma can sometimes be difficult to quantify, dog bite victims can go through emotional trauma following a dog attack. This can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or psychological trauma resulting from a disfigurement.
Punitive Damages
In very rare circumstances, a victim may be able to file a claim to receive punitive damages. Punitive damages punish a wrongdoer. They are difficult to recover as the injured party must prove ill will, outrageous conduct, or malice. It is very unusual for punitive damages to be awarded in New Jersey for a dog bite case.
Wrongful Death
Another rare occurrence is that a dog attack results in a fatality. If this does happen to a loved one, a New Jersey dog bite lawyer will provide legal advice and guide you through this process.
Average Compensation for Dog Bite Cases
Economic and non-economic damages cover most of the compensation categories in an injury claim. Every dog bite claim is unique. The average settlement for dog bite cases was $50,245 in 2020. There are factors to consider, such as whether injuries are permanent, if there was facial scarring, the age of the victim, etc.
Get an Experienced NJ Dog Bite Attorney
An experienced dog bite attorney will be able to calculate the damages that will support your dog bite claim. Dog bite Lawyer, David J. Cowhey, is familiar with dog bite settlement amounts and gathering the evidence required for a successful dog bite lawsuit payout. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, David J. Cowhey understands dog bite laws in New Jersey and will provide personal attention, as there is no average dog bite.
Contact David J. Cowhey for a free consultation on your dog bite case at 609-513-0627.
Related Topics
- Navigating the Cost of Compensation
- Who pays the dog bite injury settlement in NJ?
- Understanding Dog Bite Lawsuit Settlement Amounts – Part 1
- Understanding Dog Bite Lawsuit Settlement Amounts – Part 2
