What damages can a dog bite victim recover in California?

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can cause significant physical and emotional trauma. As per the statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control, every year around 5 million dog bite victims need emergency medical attention.

20% of the dog bite injuries end up becoming infected and may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation. If you are a victim of a dog bite or attack you may incur both economic and non-economic damages. A professional dog bite lawyer can help you to recover the damages.

The type and amount of damages that can be recovered are dependent on the severity of the dog bite. A victim with a bite needing just a few stitches won’t receive a huge amount in damages compared to bites the cause permanent scarring damage to the body.

Below mentioned are the types of damages that you can recover as a victim of a dog bite or attack.

• Medical Expenses

Victims can recover all the past and future medical expenses that occurred because of the dog bite or attack. They can recover the cost of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, cost of medicines etc. If the dog bite causes damage that requires ongoing treatment even after the settlement received, they can also recover the cost of future medical expenses as compensation.

• Loss of wages and income

Victims of a dog bite may have to miss work due to the injuries sustained for medical treatment. In such instances, the victims can recover compensation for their lost wages and income. Some victims who have sustained severe injuries may not be able to work for a long time or may not be able to go back to their work again because of a disability caused. They can seek compensation for estimated future lost income. Moreover, many dog bite injuries may prevent a victim from going back to their usual job, forcing them to take up a job that comparatively pays less. This loss of income also can be recovered in the form of compensation.

• Pain and Suffering

A dog bite can cause severe injuries and lasting pain. The victims may suffer from both physical and psychological pain and suffering. The victims may need to undergo physical and/or psychological therapy to deal with pain or trauma. Such victims can collect damages for their pain and suffering or emotional distress.

• Disfigurement, Disability, Amputation, Scarring

In some cases, the dog bites are so deadly that the victims’ limbs need to be amputated. Dog bites can also cause scarring or other disfigurements of the body. The victim may get disabled and not able to use the limbs or some other part of the body like eyes. For such injuries causing disability, disfigurement or amputation the victim can collect substantial damages.

• Inconvenience or losing independence

If a dog bite injury prevents a victim from continuing with the day to day activities normally, the victim may have to hire someone to help with the regular activities. For example, hiring a person to help bathe or give support while walking or cleaning the house etc. Victims can recover the cost of such expenses in the form of compensation.

• Funeral Expenses

In the unfortunate case of the victim dying because of a dog attack or bite, the victim’s family are liable to receive funeral, burial, and/or cremation expenses.

• Loss of Consortium and Enjoyment

The spouse of the victim who can no longer have a physical relationship due to the dog bite can recover compensation for loss of consortium. If a victim is no longer able to enjoy their normal hobbies or activities, like sports or attending family events, they can recover compensation for such losses of enjoyment in life.

How can a Dog Bite Lawyer help to recover damages?

As seen above dog bite injuries can cause major physical and psychological damages. Hundreds of victims die in dog attacks every year. If you or your dear one has been injured by a dog bite, you will need the guidance of an experienced dog bite lawyer to calculate the damages and settle for the maximum compensation. A dog bite lawyer can help in the financial recovery for the various losses and damages suffered. A dog bite lawyer can provide you with an understanding of your legal rights and the recovery options available.