Entering into a dog bite lawsuit and filing a claim against a negligent owner allows you to claim damages for the impact of the injury on your day-to-day life.
If you’re in the research phase of your dog bite case, you may not be familiar with the potential damages associated with Philadelphia dog bite injuries. To help provide experienced insight into your litigation options, dog bite lawyer Jeffrey Penneys covers each of the damages you may claim within your dog bite case.
The Data On Pennsylvania Dog Bite Claims Damages
Before we delve into each of the damages you might pursue within your dog bite case, let’s review the specifics regarding Pennsylvania dog bite claims. Home insurance industry data from the Insurance Information Institute shows the average 2021 dog bite cost per claim was $47,353. There were 777 dog bite claims in Pennsylvania last year. Across the country, dog bite damages totaled over one-third of all homeowner liability insurance claims paid in 2021.
This compelling data points to the growing scale of dog bite injuries and the importance of understanding your rights to legal damages. Now, let’s explore the specific damages you might claim in your dog bite injury case.
Medical Bills
Each visit with a specialist to treat your injuries may cost you thousands of dollars. These medical costs will be a core element in your dog bite injury case. The Pennsylvania dog bite laws enable you to recover compensation for your injury-related medical payments from the negligent party.
Potential dog bite medical bills will include a combination of the following:
- On-site emergency treatment
- Ambulance services
- Emergency room care
- Broken bone repair
- Cosmetic surgery to minimize scarring
- Antibiotics and prescriptions to treat infections
- Wound care
- Required tetanus shots
- Required rabies shots
- Removal of the dog’s teeth if still in the wound
Lost Wages
Dog bite injuries can cause short-term and long-term impairments that may prevent you from meeting your working responsibilities. Bite injuries involving persistent nerve damage may cause you pain and require a longer recovery. You may also lose wages as a result of your medical appointments.
Can I recover dog bite injury damages for lost wages if I don’t have a set salary?
If you own a business or are a contractor and don’t receive a regular paycheck, you can still recover compensation for your injuries. Make sure you consult with your local dog bite attorney to analyze your lost income costs and determine a fair compensation figure in your injury case.
Physical Pain and Emotional Distress
Pain and suffering are significant considerations when evaluating Pennsylvania dog bite claims. The courts will consider the physical and emotional toll the injury has had on your day-to-day life and then determine a fair settlement amount based on the evidence you and your dog bite injury lawyer put forward.
Compensation payments for physical pain are to cover the pain associated with the following:
- Pain experienced during the attack
- Pain associated with any emergency care
- Soreness related to your recovery process
- Pain associated with any physical therapy
- Prolonged muscle weakness associated with your injuries
Emotional distress relating to dog bite injuries requires careful analysis from a qualified medical professional. You may wish to connect with a local Philadelphia injury lawyer to discuss the emotional impact of your injuries. They can help document your distress and connect you with mental health experts as you continue your recovery.
Compensation related to emotional distress can also depend heavily on the victim and their circumstances before and after the attack. For example, a child will often experience prolonged emotional trauma in a dog attack and may require long-standing therapy to mitigate the attack’s impact on their emotional state.
Compensation for emotional distress covers the following:
- The trauma associated with the attack
- The emotional challenges of living with a disfigurement
- The stress of reliving your attack experience when entering familiar spaces
- The inability to concentrate in day-to-day life as a result of your trauma
- The impact of the attack on your sleep cycle
Get Compassionate Legal Guidance for Your Dog Bite Case
Many dog bite victims suffer in silence when recovering from an attack. Philadelphia dog bite lawyer Jeffrey Penneys and his legal team can help you fight back. Jeffrey has over 25 years of experience serving dog bite victims and their families in communities across Pennsylvania. His calm, caring, and methodological approach to bite cases has helped clients across the state secure fair compensation.
Ready to discuss your dog bite legal options? Call Jeffrey Harlan Penneys today.