Rs Law Offices/Our blog/Dog Bites: Your Dog and Compensation Law

Dog Bites: Your Dog and Compensation Law

22/02/2021

Many people who experience severe injuries from dog bites usually wonder whether it is worth the hustle to pursue legal redress. Most fear they are a small minority and decide to suffer in silence.

However, the truth is that dog bites are shockingly common and are among the most frequent types of personal injury lawsuits. 

To assist you to understand when you need to consult a dog bite injury lawyer, we have gathered a comprehensive insight into what you should be on the lookout and when it is necessary to engage a lawyer. 

  1. Prevalence of Dog Bites

It is estimated that roughly 5 million people report being bitten, and over 1 billion U.S. dollars are paid in compensation according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. 

In the United States, dogs are the most popular pet among most Americans, with over 35 percent of households preferring the canine. That translates to about 70 million dogs all over the country.

It is no wonder dog bites are so common. Due to the proximity we have with the domesticated animal and their territorial nature, more than 75 percent of dog bites are caused by canines belonging to family or friends. 

Reacting to dog bite complaints, county governments and city councils are passing more and more bylaws to regulate dog ownership. 

  1. Dog Bites Compensation

Although dogs are considered man’s best friend – loyal, protective, and always ready to heed your command, a quick snap of their jaw can quickly make them your wallet’s worst enemy. 

In 2019, the average cost of a dog bite claim was approximately 45,000 U.S. dollars, according to the Insurance Information Institute. 

  1. What Can You Claim After a Dog Bite Injury?

Generally, your dog bite compensation should cover all your psychological and physical injury and losses. Some of the compensations you can claim include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income
  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Property damage

  1. How Does a Dog Bite Get Calculated?

While no two dog attacks or bites can claim to be the same, dog bites are usually calculated by placing an economic value on the gap between your assumed life status before the dog attack, and your current life status after the dog attack. 

Usually, higher compensation awards are given when the dog attack has done the following:

  • When the dog attack has left a permanent scar or disfigurement. Such cases can attract up to 100,000 U.S. dollars in compensation
  • The need for specialized treatment or extended medical care
  • Result in disability
  • Results in the need for psychological or mental therapy

  1. Avoiding Such Lawsuits

If you are a dog owner, there are things you might want to put in place to avoid the risk of being sued. Some of the tips include:

  • Enrol your pet in an obedience class
  • Socialize your dog
  • Ensure you have a fence if you keep your dog in the backyard. Chains sometimes tend to break easily

Remember to take extra caution if you live in an area with a high population of children. Almost half the number of Americans who seek medical attention from dog attacks happen to be children. 

In the unfortunate event, you or a close family friend experiences a dog bite, our team of able lawyers are readily available to assist you in claiming compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

blogs

You might like

More Apps for Increased Rideshare Safety

If every ride you take is just you and an unknown driver, it doesn’t hurt to look into your safety options. And while any unsure situation could potentially turn dangerous, you can do yourself a favor by finding helpful methods for letting people know where you are and where you’re going to be, and generally […]

09/02/2023
Read more

Ridesharing and Car Accidents

Ridesharing services like Uberpool and Lyft are a pretty popular way to get around. According to surveys, the ridesharing industry will reportedly have a market value of over $220 by 2025. However, this increasing popularity is no surprise, as ridesharing services are convenient and cheap.  However, while convenient, ridesharing services are not all sunshine and […]

19/10/2020
Read more

Defensive Driving in Arizona

Learning to drive defensively can be an effective skillset for any driver, anywhere. With collision-related deaths in Arizona going up from 2019 to 2020, from 980 to 1,057, now is a good time to keep in mind your safety and the safety of those around you while on the road in Arizona. Of course, many […]

23/05/2022
Read more

Bike Maintenence Checklist

For those of us who bike to work, it’s clear that riding around is more than a hobby. Biking is something that can improve your mental and physical health. It can become a way of life, because to do it right takes commitment. You need to learn the best and fastest bike routes, have all […]

11/09/2021
Read more

Five Apps for Bicyclists

Bicycle accidents happen all the time in the United States, and practicing bicycle safety is relatively simple – it just involves a lot of mindful riding and the safest possible equipment. Another part of safe bicycle riding is making sure you have your routes planned out and, in the case of an emergency, it doesn’t […]

06/09/2022
Read more

Rearview Cameras and You

While it was in 2018 that the rearview camera requirement went into effect on all new vehicles, the whole debate started in 2008. That was the year Congress passed a law for automakers to take steps to increase visibility. The debate was prompted by a horrible tragedy where a father accidentally backed over his infant […]

13/08/2021
Read more

How Lemon Laws Apply to Defective Kia Vehicles

There is nothing more annoying than driving a car that is constantly having issues and needs repair on a regular basis. Kia, which is one of the fastest growing auto manufacturer in North America, is under scrutiny because some of its models have recurring problems that continuously need repair. If you have a Kia vehicle […]

14/09/2020
Read more

Car Crashes and Pedestrians in LA

Every year, we check over grim statistics about car accidents, fatalities, damages, and injuries. We always hope that the number will go down, that we will have learned something from the previous years. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case. But that doesn’t mean that it is not worth it to try. Just knowing […]

03/10/2021
Read more

Top 4 Personal Injury Myths

Personal injury cases are more rampant than you can ever imagine. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 31 million of the injuries that occur every year often call for medical care.  Considering their prevalence, it comes as no surprise that there are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding personal injury. Think you got […]

16/11/2020
Read more

Car Airbag Injuries: What You Need to Know

Car airbags are designed to save lives in the event of a car crash. They are among the most innovative, auto-safety features of recent decades, and have even been proven effective in reducing driver mortality.  However, even though efficient, airbags are sometimes the reason behind fatalities. We explore various airbag defects, the type of injuries […]

08/03/2021
Read more

contact form

Get in touch

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from RS Law Offices. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. View our Privacy Policy.