Should You Submit a Personal Injury Claim After a Dog Bite?

Nobody ever thinks they will be the victim of a dog bite but, unfortunately, they occur more often than most realize.  The American Veterinary Medical Association provides these startling statistics, “Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs. Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.  Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children. Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.” If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite, the severity can range significantly.  Whether you experienced injury that required medical attention from a dog bite, or you have emotional distress as a result of the attack, you should not be responsible for covering the cost of any treatment.

A dog bite is an assault that can leave permanent visible and invisible damage.  Dog bite law does vary from state to state but, in Arizona, owners are liable for any injuries caused by their dog biting someone.  There are three primary qualifying factors that will support your claim for compensation after a dog bite.  If the owner was being negligent and that led to the attack, they may be held responsible.  If the owner violated a leash law or any law that prohibits dogs from “running at large” the owner may be held responsible.  And, if a person kept a dog that they knew had a history of biting or injuring people, they may be held responsible.  A dog bite does not have to be a vicious, deadly attack to cause serious injury that requires medical attention.

So, what type of things can a dog owner be held liable for in a personal injury claim after a dog bite?  If you have been injured, you can receive compensation for medical bills.  A dog bite may require medical attention that includes wound cleaning, surgery, plastic surgery and more.  Be certain to keep good records of any treatment or medication that was necessary after a dog bite so that you can total it for compensation.  Additionally, a person can receive compensation for lost income.  If the injuries you sustained as a result of a dog bite make you miss any work, you can receive compensation for any lost income.  Further, you can receive compensation for emotional distress or pain and suffering.

A dog bite, no matter how big or small, can be a terrifying experience that leaves you with severe emotional distress after.  If you have emotional distress, or need counseling as a result, it is important to include that as part of your personal injury claim.  If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help you move forward with your personal injury claim.