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Thousands of dog injury claims are filed in the United States every year. Apart from the shock and physical pain, dog bites can lead to serious financial and emotional challenges. Victims can claim compensation for their injuries. Dog bite insurance claims in the country cost millions of dollars.
When victims hire a local dog bite attorney who is familiar with the state laws, the chances of getting fair compensation significantly improve. In this article, we will discuss the main types of damages you can recover.
Medical Expenses
You can get reimbursed for the medical treatment you seek after a dog bite injury. This includes:
- Emergency room visits
- Doctor appointments
- Stitches
- Medication
- Vaccines like rabies shots
In some cases, you may require surgery or follow-up care. If your injuries require physical therapy or future treatments, you can add these costs to your claim.
Lost Wages
If your injuries prevent you from working, even if it’s just for a couple of days, you can ask for compensation for lost wages. This covers the money you would have earned were it not for the dog bite. If the bite caused a long-term injury or disability that affects your ability to work, you may also claim for loss of future earning potential.
For example, the victim’s job requires physical activity and manual labor. Unfortunately, a dog bit off some of their fingers; hence, they can no longer do these tasks. The victim may be forced to take a lower-paying job or stop working altogether.
Pain and Suffering
The pain you experience during and after the attack can be intense and cause long-lasting trauma. Some victims may end up suffering chronic pain from nerve damage even after the wounds have healed. You can be compensated for this physical suffering, and the amount could be higher if it affects your daily life or makes it harder to enjoy activities you once loved.
Calculating pain and suffering can be a little difficult because of a lack of receipts, invoices, and other financial documents. However, an experienced lawyer can gather the right evidence, including consulting an expert witness, to be able to quantify these damages.
Emotional Distress and Psychological Injuries
Being bitten by a dog can leave emotional scars as well. Some victims develop anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Many people become afraid of dogs and even end up avoiding public places where there are dogs. If you need counseling or therapy to cope with trauma, those costs can be included in your claim.
Scarring and Disfigurement
In some cases, a dog bite can cause permanent damage. At some point, you have probably come across victims on social media with scars and even missing some body parts because of a dog attack.
Scars, especially on visible parts of the body like the face, arms, or legs, can affect your confidence and emotional well-being. If the injury leads to a disability or requires reconstructive surgery, all these damages must be considered when calculating compensation.
Property Damage
If the dog attack damaged your clothing, phone, glasses, or other personal belongings, you may be able to recover the cost of repairing or replacing those items. While property damage may not be the biggest part of your claim, it is still worth including.
Conclusion
A dog bite can affect your health, job, emotions, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Luckily, the law allows them to seek compensation for all the different ways they have been harmed. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, it is best to speak to a personal injury lawyer specializing in dog bites.
