how much does a personal injury lawyer charge for dog bites

Full Answer

What is the average settlement for dog attack?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, these are the numbers of average payouts for a dog bite in the top 10 states in America for 2019: California – Average dog bite payout $51,264.6 over 2,396 claims totaling $122.83 million.

Can I sue cause a dog bit me and her money?

Victims who have been bitten by a dog can sue for financial compensation that covers their legal damages. This goes beyond just paying for the victim's medical care. In some cases, the dog owner's insurance company will cover the verdict or settlement.

Can you sue a dog for biting you?

In order to file a lawsuit against your neighbor after a dog bite you must have sustained physical or psychological injuries. Second, you must be within the statute of limitations. Under California law, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file suit against the owner.

How do you defend a dog bite case?

Possible Defenses in Dog Bite CasesProvocation and Negligence. If the injured person provoked the dog to attack—either purposely or negligently—the owner may not be held liable for the resulting injuries. ... Assumption of the Risk. ... Trespassing and Recovery. ... Police and Military Dogs. ... Other Injuries. ... Sources:

How is dog bite settlement calculated?

A per diem system is used to calculate these types of awards, where at the jury's discretion, a monetary amount is determined for the daily physical pain and any emotional hardship that the victim has suffered. That daily amount is then multiplied by the number of days that pain and suffering went on for.

What is a Level 4 dog bite?

Level 4: One-four deep punctures from a single bite and lacerations or bruising from the dog holding on or shaking. Level 5: Multiple bite incident with more than 2 Level 4 bites. Level 6: Victim death.

Is a dog always at fault when it bites a person?

In the state of California, dog owners are held strictly liable for dog bites. Regardless of the dog's history, the owner is responsible for the dog's actions. There are some states in which a dog's first instance of biting someone is “forgiven” in the eyes of the law.

What happens when someone's dog bites you?

In California, dog bite owners are strictly liable to compensate a dog bite victim for his injuries whether or not the dog ever bit a person before. Nevertheless, if you were attacked by a dog, you should contact the police even if the homeowner asks you not to and promises to cover your medical expenses.

What is a provoked dog bite?

Provocation simply refers to a situation where a dog is incited, encouraged, or provoked into biting a person. In states where there is strict liability, an owner may use provocation as a defense to the dog bite.

Are dogs more likely to bite again?

Once your dog has bitten someone for the first time, the likelihood of your dog biting again increases. Dogs normally bite out of fear. When they bite someone for the first time and see how effective it is in getting the person to retreat, they are going to repeat this behavior because it works so well.

What should I do if my dog bites someone?

Attend to the bite victim: Help them wash the wound with warm soap and water thoroughly. Contact medical professionals on their behalf, and call an ambulance if needed. Even if the bite does not look very bad, they should still be seen by a medical professional because bites can turn serious quickly.

Can I press charges on someone who hurt my dog?

If someone has injured or killed your dog, whether it was on purpose or an act of negligence, you can file a civil lawsuit against that person. There has to be enough proof, though, to point to malicious intent or some degree of negligence in order to recover any damages.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 360,000 individuals required medical help for dog bite injuries in 2001 alone. Based on the CDC’s figures, children under ten years of age are at particular danger of becoming victims of dog attacks.

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite injuries can be anything but trivial. Individuals who suffered severe injuries in a dog attack can experience ongoing physical pain, emotional trauma, and other long-term consequences for their health. Common dog bite injuries can include:

Compensation You Could Recover After a Dog Attack

If you got hurt in a dog attack and incurred expenses, you could be entitled to damages, including but not limited to:

Your Next Best Steps After a Dog Attack

If you suffered injuries due to a negligent dog owner, you could take some essential steps to protect your legal rights as soon as possible.

FAQs

Since no two dog bite incidents are the same, it can be next to impossible to determine how long your specific lawsuit would take. However, there is the possibility of resolving dog bite claims with an out-of-court settlement before it comes to a trial or before filing a lawsuit.

Morgan & Morgan Fights for Dog Bite Victims

Apart from painful injuries and emotional scars, dog bites can leave a huge dent in your finances. Victims requiring surgeries or physical therapy after an extensive dog attack can end up with astronomical and ongoing medical bills.

Why do you need a lawyer for a dog bite?

Hiring a lawyer also benefits a dog bite victim by giving the victim’s claim legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of defense lawyers, insurance companies, judges, and juries. That’s important. If those parties do not take your claim seriously, then you have no hope of achieving a top-dollar outcome.

Why do people hesitate to contact a dog bite lawyer?

Victims of dog bites or attacks sometimes hesitate to approach a lawyer because they’re anxious about the potential cost of legal representation. Let us set your mind at rest on that score, right off the bat. It should never cost you a penny upfront to hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you in a case seeking damages for your injury.