Dog bites can leave you scarred physically, mentally and emotionally. Being the victim of an unexpected dog attack can leave you with extensive medical costs and other damages. You may worry about your ability to pay for them or to work while you are recovering from the bite injury. For that reason, it is helpful for you to be familiar with how personal injury damages may be able to help.
The different types of damages in a dog bite case
Dog owners in California are strictly liable for the damages suffered by victims. This means the victim doesn’t have to prove that the dog owner was at fault. If the owner’s dog inflicted injuries on the victim, the owner may be liable to compensate them for their damages. This means it’s easier for the injured to recover compensation in a dog-bite claim, as compared to other types of personal injury actions.
To begin with, victims of dog bites may be able to recover compensation for their medical expenses and the medical care they need to treat their injuries. This can include emergency care, doctor’s visits and surgeries, among other types of medical treatment the victim may need. Compensation for ongoing medical care may also be available.
Victims may also need to seek counseling to help them deal with the emotional repercussions of the dog attack. Compensation for their pain and suffering and mental anguish associated with the attack may be available. Another category of damages that may be available to victims of dog attacks is compensation for lost wages and lost-earning capacity they suffer as a result of their injuries. Victims may be unable to work while they are recovering or may be unable to return to work based on the severity of their injuries.
Recovering compensation can be extremely important because damages for dog bite injuries can be extensive for the injured and their families. An attorney with experience in dog-bite cases can help the injured understand how to calculate their damages and work to recover all the compensation they deserve.