Under California’s strict liability laws, individuals that are bitten by a dog are entitled to hold the owner liable for paying compensation. Dog bites are very serious injuries and can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, deep cuts, and secondary infections. These injuries are not only painful, but they are also expensive to treat.
While it is important to remain realistic about the damages one may receive, it is just as important to not undervalue a claim. Although no one can say with certainty how much a dog bite claim is worth, there are some guidelines you can follow to determine how much you can recover in damages.
The Nature and Extent of Your Injuries
The more severe your injuries are, the more you can claim in compensation. You deserve to recover damages for all of your injuries, and the costs associated with them. Determining how severe your injuries are and speaking to a doctor about the care you will need now and in the future can greatly help determine how much you can claim in medical costs.
Your Ability to Work
Sometimes, dog bite victims are able to return to work, either on a temporary or permanent basis. If you cannot return to work in the same capacity that you worked prior to the dog bite, you can include the lost income, benefits, bonuses, and vacation and sick pay in your claim.
Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
Due to the nature of dog bites, they can easily lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement. These injuries are not only painful and require lengthy recovery times, but they can also lead to embarrassment and shame for accident victims. If you have sustained these permanent injuries, you can include more in your claim.
Emotional Trauma
Many accidents can cause emotional trauma, but dog bite victims are especially susceptible to this injury. It can be terrifying to be the victim of a dog bite or attack. Often, people develop a fear of dogs afterwards, even if they loved them before the attack. The law recognizes that emotional trauma is an injury just like any physical injury and so, you can include it in your claim for compensation.
Your Quality of Life
Some injuries, both physical and emotional, lead to a lower quality of life for accident victims. No one should ever enjoy life less due to an accident that was not their fault and so, damages for a lower quality of life can be included in a claim.
Our California Dog Bite Lawyer can Evaluate Your Claim
Even using the above guidelines, it is often very difficult for dog bite victims to accurately evaluate their claim. If you have been bitten by a dog and need help with our claim, our San Francisco dog bite lawyer can provide it. At the Brod Law Firm, we know how to accurately evaluate the damages in these cases so you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve. When you have been hurt, call us at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.
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