If you’ve suffered a severe injury due to a dog attack, you’re going to have substantial financial losses, known as damages in legal terms. Damages in a dog bite lawsuit include the cost to treat your injury, the money you’re losing because you can’t work, and many others. One of the first things you’ll need to do will be to speak with an attorney to put together a plan to recover your damages.
At Sand Law, we have a team of attorneys who have years of experience helping people in a situation that’s similar to yours. We will tell you exactly what to expect at all times, and we’ll also do everything we can to help you obtain maximum compensation. If you would like to schedule a free consultation, you can contact us online or give us a call at 651-291-7263.
The following is a closer look at some of the damages in a dog bite lawsuit you may be entitled to receive.
Past and Future Medical Bills
Many people who are victims of a dog attack suffer injuries that are so severe they need extensive medical treatment. Filing a dog bite lawsuit could help pay for the bills you’ve already accumulated, as well as any expenses for treatment you may need in the future.
Unfortunately, the insurance company that covers the owner of the animal will likely try to harass you into accepting a settlement. If you don’t have an attorney working for you and you accept that settlement, then that will be the end of the case. You won’t be able to take any further action.
The problem is that the settlement might not even cover your current medical bills, much less your future treatment expenses. If that’s the case, then you’ll be on your own. An experienced attorney will make sure you’re covered – not only now but in the future as well.
Past and Future Lost Wages
If you’re injured very badly, of course, you won’t be able to work. As your vacation days and sick time disappear, there will only be one thing left – your salary. The longer you’re incapacitated, the more money you’ll lose. But your lawyer will work to make sure you’re completely compensated, regardless of how much work you miss.
Loss of Earning Capacity
A particularly vicious attack could leave a victim permanently disabled. They not only can’t work now, but they also might not ever be able to work again. Even if you can work, you might not be able to remain in your original profession. There’s a chance you’d have to take a job that pays much less than you were making – or would have made in the future.
So, if you’re in this situation, how can you make up the money you would have made through promotions or bonuses you would have earned as your career progressed? An attorney will know exactly how to get you compensation for your lost earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
When a severe injury occurs, that obviously leads to a great deal of pain and suffering, which are among the types of damages in a dog bite lawsuit you may be able to pursue. This is an example of “non-economic” damages, meaning they don’t easily lend themselves to a specific dollar amount. They’re not like medical bills or lost wages, which are easy to prove.
A skilled legal representative, however, will be able to place a value on your pain and suffering. They’ll be able to help you obtain a significant amount of money as a result.
Loss of Consortium
There are instances where a dog attack results in fatal injuries. The surviving family members of a victim who is tragically killed may be able to obtain “loss of consortium” damages. A child, for example, could claim damages for the loss of the companionship, affection, and care of a parent. A spouse could claim loss of consortium for the loss of ability to have children or lost love and support.
Disfigurement and Scarring
A dog’s teeth can be razor sharp, leaving an attack victim permanently disfigured and also scarred for life. The victim can feel humiliated and depressed as a result. This is yet another example of non-economic damages.
Emotional Distress
All of the above damages can, of course, lead to a great deal of emotional distress. You may not be able to pursue the activities you love. You may be so scared that you can’t even walk through your neighborhood any longer. This kind of event can be incredibly traumatic for many different reasons. An attorney can argue that you deserve compensation for your emotional trauma, calling in a mental health expert if necessary to prove how much compensation you should receive.
How to Receive the Most Compensation for Your Damages
You should get legal help right away because it will be the best chance for you to obtain maximum compensation for the injury, as well as all of the suffering you’ve had to experience. The reason fast action will be so important is that your attorney will need to investigate the attack to gather the evidence needed to prove your case.
The stakes will likely be extremely high, and the dog owner’s insurance company is going to use whatever defense strategies it can in order to defeat you. If an investigation can start immediately, your attorney can build the strongest case possible to overcome the insurer’s opposition.
Contact Sand Law LLC to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t go another day without having an experienced attorney by your side. There are, as you can see, lots of different types of damages in a dog bite lawsuit. You could be eligible to receive compensation for many of them.
A Sand Law attorney will have the resources and knowledge needed to help you get that compensation. You can schedule a free evaluation of your case by using our online form or by giving us a call at 651-291-7263.