There can be many unexpected costs after a dog attack. Suing to cover expenses and other damages can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. There are some main areas an injury attorney will look at when working on your dog bite injury insurance claim. Below are the main categories an experienced Pennsylvania local injury attorney will review to cover compensation for dog bite victims in a dog bite personal injury claim.
Medical Bills
Emergency room and hospital visits may be just the beginning of medical bills a dog bite victim may face. Medical treatment may also include medication, medical supplies, physical and occupational therapy, counseling, plastic or reconstructive surgery.
Lost Wages
When recovering from a dog bite, victims will often be unable to work. Lost wages will have a significant effect on a person’s financial well-being.
That lost time at work can have additional consequences such as missing out on a promotion or lost sales commissions. In severe cases, a victim may have reduced earning capacity going forward. If their future earnings are negatively altered because of the dog bite or dog attack they experienced, a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney will include this in the injury lawsuit.
An experienced local injury attorney will look at the present and future impacts the dog bite will have on an individual.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Trauma
It can be difficult to calculate the compensation a dog bite victim is entitled to for their pain and emotional trauma. The two areas a person affected by a dog attack will often suffer are physical or emotional.
Physical pain and suffering refers to the hurt a person feels from their physical wounds caused by the dog attack. This might be:
- The agony felt during the attack.
- Physical pain during emergency care to treat injuries.
- Weakness as a result of the dog bite injuries.
- Soreness through the recovery process.
Emotional trauma or mental anguish addresses psychological effects in a dog bite injury claim. Examples of this are:
- Not being able to do things you enjoy due to the injuries suffered.
- Developing a fear of dogs after the attack.
- Living with a permanent facial scar or disfigurement causing shame and embarrassment.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may include flashbacks of the event or anxieties that weren’t present in the individual before the attack or may increase after a dog attack.
- Diminished quality of life.
Loss of Consortium
In Pennsylvania, when one spouse is injured the uninjured partner can claim for monetary compensation. This is when the uninjured spouse is deprived of security, support, and other qualities due to the spouse’s injuries. This might include loss of companionship, taking on household or child duties that used to be shared, inconvenience, or stress. A Pennsylvania personal injury attorney will be able to advise the spouse if this is applicable to the injury compensation claim.
Property Damage
If during the dog attack, there was any damage to property, this can be included in the dog bite claim. This may only be the clothing the dog bite victim wore. If the victim was riding a bike or motorcycle and it was damaged during the dog attack, that could also be included. Discuss any property damage that may be applicable with your dog bite attorney.
Average Dog Bite Injury Claim Amounts
The average compensation for dog bite claims was $45,134 in 2020. With medical expenses rising, dog bite injury compensation amounts continue to rise as well.
Some Factors That Determine Compensation For Dog Bite Victims
During a personal injury consultation, an injury attorney will look at several factors in your dog bite case. Together, these factors will enable your dog bite attorney to recommend an amount of total compensation to pursue for the dog bite claim. Some of the factors contributing to your dog bite claim will be:
- The severity of the injuries
- Amount of insurance coverage available
- If the victim provoked the dog
Contact Jeffrey H. Penneys to Review Your Dog Bite Case
Jeffrey H. Penneys is an experienced Philadelphia attorney operating throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He provides a free personal injury consultation to review your Philadelphia injury claim. He is available 24/7 by phone at 215-771-0430 or you can contact him online. If you were bitten by a dog, contact him for a free consultation and guidance on filing a lawsuit. Read his latest reviews from clients like you.