Dog Bite Lawsuits: How Do They Work?

In the US, there are about 4.5 million dog bites per year. However, only a small percentage of these victims actually file claims or pursue legal action. Since we handle cases involving dog bites, we thought it would be helpful to share some general information about how a dog bite lawsuit operates.

The kind and severity of the injury, the victim’s age, and the insurance policy limits can all have a significant impact on dog bite settlements. Consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney Tacoma about your best legal options.

Do you have evidence of dog bites?

You do not automatically have the right to compensate just because a dog bit you. Several components need to be present.

The following elements make up a case for a dog bite:

• Evidence. You’ll need a lot of documentation to prove your injuries. It is crucial to have doctor’s records and medical bills. Witness testimonies, CCTV footage, and any prior records pertaining to the dog could all serve as additional proof.

• Negligence. It must have been a mistake on the owner’s side to fail to keep the dog contained. Consider the scenario where the dog’s owner knew it was harmful but yet let it go free. If this led to your injury, the owner was probably negligent.

• Limitations period. You have three years to submit a claim in the state of Washington.

• A party’s financial capacity. Unfortunately, there are situations when you cannot seek compensation because you have nowhere to turn. A stray dog with an unknown owner might serve as an illustration of this.

What Is Covered by a Settlement for Dog Bites?

The two main types of losses covered by a settlement are economical and non-economic. Consider economic damages to be the out-of-pocket costs associated with your injury. Medical expenses and lost wages, for instance. Damages that are not financial in nature are referred to as non-economic damages. These include discomfort and misery.

A dog bite victim is likely to have experienced a number of adverse effects:

• A medical diagnosis
• Medical expenses in the future, such as those associated with cosmetic procedures
• Therapy
• lost wages
• Disfigurement and impairment
• PTSD, flashbacks, and anxiety
• suffering and pain

Settlements for dog bites can differ significantly depending on the nature and extent of the injury, the victim’s age, and the insurance policy limits. Legal websites that claim to be able to “compute” a value immediately should not be trusted.