Injuries from dog bites can range from relatively minor to life-threatening. All dog bites should be treated for care and medical attention should be sought, especially if it is unknown if the dog has all of their shots. When someone is bitten by a dog, they have the opportunity to sue the dog’s owner for compensation. The victim may want to speak with a lawyer about their injuries and the compensation they may be able to obtain so they have a good idea of whether they should sue the liable dog owner. Three of the main types of compensation the victim may receive include the following.
Medical Bills – Present and Future
Medical bills are the most common type of compensation sought by victims of dog bites. Even relatively minor dog bites can lead to medical bills because there is a need to ensure the dog was not suffering from any illness and to prevent the wound from being infected. Depending on the severity of the bite, medical bills can add up quickly. If the bite caused severe injuries to the victim, they might have current medical bills as well as future medical bills for care relating to the dog bites. Victims should get help understanding dog bite laws by talking to a lawyer about the potential for obtaining compensation for present and future medical bills to ensure they don’t pay anything out of pocket.
Lost Income
When dog bites are severe, the victim may need to miss time from work so they can recover. They should not have to cover the lost wages on their own, as it was not their fault that they were injured by the dog. Instead, they may be able to recover the lost income as part of the compensation they receive from the liable dog owner. The amount of compensation received for lost income depends on the severity of the injury, the amount of time off work, and the pay lost by the victim.
Punitive Damages
Most of the compensation the victim will receive is based on their expenses due to the dog bite. However, it is possible that they can receive other funds as well as part of their settlement. This could include punitive damages. In 2018, there were more than 17,000 dog bites in the United States. To curb the possibility that a dog will bite, the courts use punitive damages. This is extra money, on top of the medical bills and other expenses, given to the victim as part of the settlement with the liable dog owner. Punitive damages are intended to financially punish the dog owner so there is a lower chance the dog owner will be negligent in the future.
If someone is bitten by a dog, they have the opportunity to seek compensation from the dog owner. The amount of compensation varies based on the details of the case, with more severe injuries leading to a much higher settlement. If you have been bitten by a dog and would like to learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to, speak with a lawyer about your case today. They can discuss these and other types of compensation you may be able to receive so you can ensure you are not going to pay out of pocket for expenses caused by someone else’s negligence.