Many people do not realize how much compensation they can get in a California dog bite case. The types of compensation you can receive from a dog bite case and the amounts you may receive depend on the severity of your injuries. A dog bite lawyer should be willing to assess your situation and tell you what types of compensation are recoverable. The following types of compensation may apply.
Medical Costs, Including The Cost of Future Treatment
You would certainly expect a visit to a doctor to be covered by the person who is responsible for the dog that bit you. However, some dog bite attacks cause very serious injuries, particularly when the victim is a child. Even adults can be badly hurt.
This may include surgeries, rehabilitative therapies, and more. For example, you may need mobility devices or require travel for specialist medical care. These costs should not be your responsibility and can be included in a compensation claim. According to Finance Monthly, the average claim for dog bite-related medical costs involving hospital stays in the US reached $23,680 in 2023.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
After a serious dog bite, a person may lose wages or business earnings while they are unable to work. In severe cases, the loss of earning capacity can be long-term or even permanent. Families face medical costs while at the same time having to deal with reduced income. However, the loss of earnings and opportunities to earn are among the types of compensation you can receive from a dog bite case.
Pain and Suffering
Although this may seem like an unnecessary statement, any injury causes pain. If the injury leads to chronic pain or you have to undergo surgery, your suffering is compounded. Since you are the innocent victim of a dog bite, your compensation should include an amount that makes up for the pain you had to experience through no fault of your own.
Trauma and Emotional Distress
If a child is attacked, their trauma may be even more far-reaching than that of an adult. Research published in the British Medical Journal indicates that children and their parents can suffer lasting trauma that amounts to PTSD. This will affect their potential to return to normal life after a dog bite attack.
Adults are not free from psychological harm either. They may become anxious, develop a fear of dogs, or experience PTSD symptoms after a traumatic dog bite. Compensation should therefore cover initial trauma as well as any lasting effects it may have.
Disability or Disfigurement
Simply having a prominent scar can affect a person’s confidence and ability to interact normally in social settings. This is confirmed in published research findings indicating that 48% of adults with disfigurements experience anxiety in social settings. 28% experienced depression.
Disability can mean a great many additional costs. It may be necessary to alter homes to accommodate people with disabilities, and their capacity to earn will be affected. These factors can mean that the compensation you receive after a dog bite is far higher than most people realize it should be.
Wrongful Death
According to the CDC, deaths from dog bites are rare. Nevertheless, they do occur. Compensation cannot make up for this, but it can help families to feel that they have achieved a degree of justice. When the victim was a breadwinner, the compensation that can be received from a dog bite case may make the difference between bankruptcy and the ability to maintain their lifestyle.
You are Not Likely To Receive Full Compensation for a Dog Bite Case Without Representation
When you seek compensation for a dog bite case, insurance companies are likely to consider only your direct costs. As you can see from the above, you may be entitled to, and need, far more.
If you, or someone close to you, has been injured in a dog bite attack, you have a right to claim the types of compensation the law specifies as being rightful. To present a case that includes all the types of compensation you should receive in a dog bite case, you may need professional representation.