According to the CDC, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year. In the period between 2005 and 2009, statistics indicate that dogs killed 521 Americans with breeds such as Pit Bulls contributing to 66% of the deaths. Despite the adage that “dog is man’s best friend”. you should never forget that dogs act more on instinct than logic. Therefore, although you may be safe around your dog, it’s quite difficult to predict strange dogs and bites can often occur. if you’ve been bitten by a dog due to dog owner negligence, and you’re wondering whether you can sue for damages to cover your treatment expenses, keep reading to learn about your legal options.
Understand Your Options
When you suffer a dog bite, no matter how minor or severe the bite is, the owner of the dog is liable if the bite occurred due to negligence. This means that you have the right to sue for damages and get compensation for the extent of injuries sustained. However, the dog owner’s liability to compensate you will depend on your specific state laws. The best action to take is to hire a reputable lawyer with experience in dog bite claims who will evaluate your case and advise you on your legibility to file for a claim. Of course, having an experienced attorney will offer you some comfort and relieve you of some of the stresses related to your dog bite injury.
Understand Your Rights
As mentioned before, dog bite laws differ from state to state. In most states, you can sue the dog owner as long as you can prove that their animal caused you harm. However, some exceptions exist. For instance, If you get bitten because you provoked the dog or you were trespassing on private property, your claim will be disqualified. This will also happen if you were familiar with the violent tendency of the animal or it had attacked you someone else in the past. If you can prove that you sustained the dog bite due to the owner’s negligence, your attorney will usually be able to help you get compensation through an out of court settlement. The value of your settlement will depend on various factors. for example, if the victim is a child, the valuation of the settlement will go up because children are more likely to sustain significant injuries and emotional trauma.
Sue For Damages
Victims of dog bites are often reluctant to seek compensation from dog owners. Don’t miss your chance to get compensation for this type of trauma. If your dog bite is severe, you may have incurred significant damages such as hefty medical bills, lost wages, or even permanent scarring. If this is the case, do yourself justice and pursue legal action against the dog owner. For victims with underlying medical conditions, the valuation may be even higher than you expect. According to common legal rule, “you’re liable for all injuries caused to a victim, even those existing injuries that are made worse because of your action.”
So, never hesitate to seek compensation even when you have minor bites, mental or emotional distress as these can also earn you some amount of compensation to cover your treatment expenses. Chances are, you will not have to file a lawsuit to be compensated after a dog bite because your attorney can pursue the case with the dog owner’s insurance company to secure compensation covered through the home owner’s policy. However., if you can’t reach a reasonable settlement through negotiation, your attorney will help you sue the dog owner for damages.
