Experiencing a dog bite that breaks the skin is traumatic. It’s painful, there’s a good chance it can get infected, and you might need serious surgery. That alone is reason enough to pursue a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
Winning a dog bite lawsuit isn’t hard when you have a strong case. In fact, some states have “strict liability” laws that make the owner automatically liable for bites. For instance, Pennsylvania is one state that follows strict liability laws concerning dog bites.
A handful of states follow the “one bite rule,” which gives the dog and owner a “free pass” the first time the dog bites someone. If you live in one of these states, you’ll need to prove the owner already knew the dog was dangerous when it bit you.
In any case, as long as you didn’t intentionally aggravate the dog, trespass, or try to harm the dog’s owner, you probably have a good chance at winning. But you’ll definitely need a lawyer to make your case.
If you’re on the fence about pursuing a lawsuit, here’s why you should move ahead full force.
Dog bites can cause long-term medical problems
A dog bite isn’t just something that needs to be cleaned, stitched up, and left to heal. Many bites require extensive medical care. For instance, infections are common and they can be dangerous. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 dog bite wounds become infected and some lead to serious complications like cellulitis and sepsis.
In some cases, deep bites require reconstructive surgery, which can worsen existing nerve damage and scarring. If your muscles or tendons were damaged, you might need physical therapy to regain normal function.
If you don’t sue, you’ll be stuck paying for your medical bills out of pocket. Filing a lawsuit ensures that the dog owner pays for your treatment, not you.
Emotional trauma is valid
If you’ve been feeling anxious, depressed, or fearful of dogs, it’s perfectly valid. Dog bites can cause deep psychological distress that lasts for years. Some people develop PTSD or phobias after a dog bite, while others experience nightmares. Kids are especially vulnerable to emotional trauma and may need counseling.
All of these emotions – fear, depression, and anxiety – can disrupt your life and affect your sleep, work, and relationships. Emotional distress is considered a compensable damage in a personal injury claim, so talk to a personal injury attorney about your case.
You shouldn’t have to miss work
In many cases, dog bites require taking time off work to recover. Not being able to work means not getting paid, and that’s not acceptable. You shouldn’t have to take the financial hit for an injury you didn’t cause.
Lost wages add up fast. If you’re hourly or self-employed, missing work can mean missing rent or mortgage payments, not to mention utility bills. If a bite is serious enough, it can prevent you from returning to work at all.
You shouldn’t have to go into debt because someone failed to control their dog. A lawsuit will allow you to recover lost income and secure compensation for medical bills and reduced earning potential.
The owner needs to be held accountable
More often than not, a dog bite that goes to court isn’t the first time a dog lashed out at someone. In many cases, owners are aware of their dogs’ aggressive behavior and brush it off or ignore it, thinking nothing will happen. If you don’t sue for the bite, the dog will bite someone else.
Owners need to be held accountable for their dogs’ behavior. Letting someone off the hook for a serious bite tells them the situation isn’t all that serious. Think about it like this. If the dog’s owner isn’t driving you to all of your medical appointments and paying your bills on their own, they’re not going to do the right thing without a court order.
Insurance usually covers payouts
If you’re worried about suing someone because you don’t want to make them go bankrupt, know that your compensation will most likely come from their homeowners’ insurance policy – not from their pocket. Most policies include dog bite liability coverage and while their premiums will likely rise, it won’t ruin them financially.
Fight back
You didn’t ask to be bitten by a dog. And regardless of why it happened, it’s not your fault and you deserve justice along with financial compensation. Hold the dog’s owner responsible. Talk to a lawyer and start taking steps toward getting the compensation you deserve.
