Pets can be a source of joy and comfort to people, providing companionship and entertainment to families. However, owning a pet is a huge responsibility that not everyone is capable of taking on. Pet owners in the US can be held liable for the actions of their pets; for example, if their dog bites someone.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you should seek immediate medical attention and hire a dog bite lawyer. You’re entitled to compensation for your injuries, and you should file a claim to cover the cost of damages.
Dog Bite Laws
Every state has its own take on dog bite laws, so it’s important to check what applies to your state. For example, in Washington state, livestock owners can shoot a dog for attacking their livestock. Some states have a one-bite rule in place, which means that if the dog has not been previously aggressive, the owner does not have full liability for the injury.
However, if the dog has shown signs of aggression in the past and the owner failed to take proper precautions to prevent it from attacking other people, the owner can be held responsible. It’s important for people to remember that this rule doesn’t apply if they were trespassing on property or provoked the dog in any way. In this case, your claim will be denied.
Compensation You’re Entitled To
Victims of dog bite injuries are entitled to receive compensation for a number of things, including medical bills for treating the injury and cosmetic surgery required to cover the scars. You are also entitled to compensation for the psychological damage you suffered, which is an amount that will be decided by the court.
If you were wearing designer clothing, for example, that cost a lot of money, you can claim compensation for this under property damage. If you had to undergo psychiatric treatment to overcome anxiety resulting from the dog bite incident, you’re entitled to compensation for this as well.
Consequences of Handling a Dog Bite Claim on Your Own
While it is possible for people to handle dog bite cases on their own, it is typically not advised. This is because the laws on dog bites can be tricky, and defendants can mount strong strategies so that they can escape liability. Dealing with this on your own can be tricky.
State laws treat dog bites differently depending on the circumstances, and not knowing how this works can be disadvantageous for you. The defendant could make it seem like you provoked the dog in some way and claim they weren’t at fault for the accident. As a result, you could lose the right to claim compensation for your injuries, and healthcare in America can be very expensive to handle on your own.
Also, it can be very easy to miss certain damages when estimating compensation. Most victims may omit damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and future medical expenses. This can come back to haunt them in the future.
How a Lawyer Can Help
It’s best to hire a lawyer to file the claim on your behalf and support you through the legal process. They will guide you on how to file the claim by collecting evidence to prove negligence by the dog owner, such as videos or photographs of the scene, notes from the doctor about your injury, or witness statements from the incident.
Most injury cases are resolved through negotiation, for which a lawyer can be of great help. They will be able to reach a compensation that works best for your individual case without giving in to the unreasonable demands of the defense.
Final Thoughts
Dog bites can be painful and traumatizing. It’s important for victims to remember that they’re entitled to compensation for their injuries. Especially if they were not trespassing and didn’t provoke the animal in any way, a good lawyer will be able to assist in this undertaking. Documenting your injuries in detail can help you with your claim, ensuring you receive compensation for it.