Damages in Dog Bite Cases: What Victims and Loved Ones Can Seek
Chanfrau & Chanfrau has helped countless clients throughout Central Florida with various legal issues. Sometimes these are related to major motor vehicle collisions and drunk driving accidents, while other times they involve premises liability lawsuits and the actions of negligent property owners. Whatever the case may be, our team will be here for you and your loved ones.
A number of clients have inquired about their legal options following an attack by a vicious dog. We'd like to look at the damages that can be sought in these sorts of cases and why they matter to you.
How serious can dog bites and attacks be?
Dog bites and dog attacks can lead to very severe injuries. Bites themselves can cause major damage to soft tissues, including the skin, muscles, and nerves. These kinds of injuries can even lead to fractures or breaks in bones (the latter more likely in very young children).
One of the major issues with dog attacks is that they can cause disfigurement, particularly if the trauma is severe. Any types of bites to the head or face can lead to noticeable scars and damage that can make you feel self-conscious and affect the quality of your life.
Though rare, some dog attacks can prove fatal. This may be the result of severe injuries or perhaps the result of rabies or infection. Whatever the case may be, dog bites and dog attacks should always be taken seriously, especially since these incidents are avoidable and usually the fault of negligence on the part of the owner.
Compensatory Damages and Punitive Damages
There are two kinds of damages that are sought in personal injury and wrongful death cases which apply here:
- Compensatory Damages - These kinds of damages are intended to cover the actual losses experienced as a result of an incident, such as lost wages and any medical expenses
- Punitive Damages - These kinds of damages are intended to punish the negligent party above and beyond the actual losses experienced
Covering Medical Bills After a Dog Attack
One of the most important things to be covered while seeking compensation in a dog bite case is medical expenses. This applies to both the initial medical care to treat the dog attack injuries as well as any additional costs of care. This latter expense includes the cost of physical rehabilitation as well as the cost of reconstructive/cosmetic surgery.
The road to recovery after a dog attack can be long and costly, and you should not have to shoulder this burden if the attack was the fault of a negligent owner.
Covering Pain and Suffering from the Dog Attack
The pain and anguish that is experienced as part of a dog attack are also important to consider when seeking compensation. This is particularly true when young children are the victims of such attacks. Counseling and therapy may be required in particularly traumatic dog attacks, and these kinds of bills can mount when combined with the need for medical care.
Damages Are Crucial in Fatal Dog Attacks
If a dog attack is so severe that the injuries wind up being fatal, our attorneys will fight diligently to ensure that you receive compensation to cover the funerary costs, the loss of companionship, and the emotional burden of such a loss. While the damages will not be able to revive the lost loved one, they will help in the grieving and mourning process and allow you and your family to move forward.
Learn More from Our Personal Injury Attorneys
To learn more about your legal rights in dog bite cases and how our team can help you in your time of legal need, be sure to contact our personal injury law firm today. The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau will be on your side every step of the way.