Evaluating Dog Bite Claims
How is a dog bite claim evaluated? The following information provides a general guideline for how our attorneys evaluate a dog bite claim. Please keep in mind: all cases are unique and may require different evaluation techniques.
Dog Owner Liabilities if their dog causes injury or damages
Pet owners are legally responsible for the behavior of their dogs. In most dog-bite cases, the dog's owner will be required to pay all medical bills, and lost wages associated with a dog attack. Sometimes, however, the dog's "keeper," or the person who was taking care of the animal at the time of the attack, may be held liable. Liabilities may include:
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medical expenses, including future medical expenses.
Medical expenses associated with a dog bite can be extremely costly, especially in the event of a scarring injury. - lost income from work
- pain and suffering
- emotional injuries
- property damage
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disfigurement due to scarring
Scars can be a serious, life-long result of a dog bite. Children are particularly susceptible to bites around the head and face. Scars are more than physical injuries. They can also cause emotional injuries such as trauma and fear. Scars may require additional plastic surgery which may need to be delayed until after the scar matures, usually about a year. In the case of a child, plastic surgery may need to wait until the child is finished growing.
Proving liability in dog bite cases
To prove that an owner of a dog is responsible for an injury due to a dog attack or dog bite, negligence must be proven. Some ways to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner include:
- Proving that the dog was "at large" when it bit or attacked its victim. In other words, the dog was running loose off of the property of the owner.
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Proving that the victim was attacked or bitten while the victim was
lawfully on the dog owner's property. It must additionally be proven
that:
- the dog had a history of unprovoked attacks.
- the victim was not informed of the dangerous nature of the dog.
- the owner did not protect the victim from the dog. "Beware of Dog" signs are evidence that the owner was aware of the dangerous nature of the dog and failed to take precautions to ensure the dog did not attack persons who were lawfully on the dog owner's property.
Proving injuries from a dog bite
In order to receive damages, or money payment, for injuries due to a dog bite or dog attack, the following may need to be proven:
- Evidence of pain and suffering shown by photos of the bites or injuries due to the attack.
- Cost of initial medical treatment and procedures shown by obtaining medical records and bills.
- Evidence of permanent scarring shown by photos taken one year after the attack.
- Cost of future surgical revision as explained by a plastic surgeon in his narrative report.
- Description of permanent scarring as explained by a plastic surgeon in his narrative report.
- Psychological damages as noted in a psychologist's report, if applicable.
Dog bite injury? Put our experience to work for you.
For over 25 years, our attorneys have represented more than 30,000 injured people including those who have been bitten by a dog. In addition our legal team has answered over 350,000 injury-related legal questions. When an injury occurs and legal help is needed, experience counts.
Free Legal Evaluation
If you, or someone you care about, have been injured by a dog, you can contact our law firm for a free evaluation by:
- Filling out a simple online form so we can evaluate your claim
- Calling toll free 1-866-261-6284. Our phones answer 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Our law firm will evaluate your claim free of charge and advise you on your legal rights to collect compensation. There is no obligation to use our services, and there is never a fee unless we get money for you.
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