Dog bites are a common occurrence in the United States. Statistics have pointed out that over 4.7 million dog bites happen to people every year. Out of those 4.7 million occurrences, at least 800,000 of them require some sort of medical treatment. If you have been bitten by a dog recently, and the bite caused you to obtain medical services, you may be eligible for a special settlement because of the situation. You can use the money that you receive in this settlement to pay for medical costs, lost wages, bills and other obligations. The best way to have your case assessed is to visit a personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible.
Facts About Personal Injury
A personal injury is an occurrence that involves at least two parties. One party has received an injury and the other party has caused the injury because of negligence. The offending party may be an individual person, a corporation, an organization or any other kind of entity. The element that turns an injury into a personal injury is the negligence. If the injured party can somehow prove that the other party acted in a negligent fashion, he or she may be able to sue the party for damages.
The Reason Dog Bites are Personal Injuries
Just as parents are responsible for the acts of their children, pet owners are responsible for the acts of their dogs. A pet owner is supposed to train his pet how to act in a public environment. This person is responsible for making sure the dog is on its leash at appropriate times, and it acts in a non-aggressive manner when it is off the leash. Any time a dog bites a person, the reason is either lack of training or lack of supervising. Both elements can constitute a case of personal injury because the courts can see them as negligence.
Preparing for a Dog Bite Case
If a dog has bitten you recently, it is important for you to keep all documentation of your medical treatment. After you speak with an attorney, you will have to provide this person with evidence that he or she can use to validate your case. Your documents can also give the courts an idea of a monetary award amount. The judge will need to know such information as how much work you have lost, how much time you have spent in the hospital, and what the charges were for your treatment. If you win the case, he or she will use the information to charge the offender.
Compensatory and Punitive Damages
Your reward might involve compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages cover what you have lost. Punitive damages punish the offender a little more because of an extensive amount of negligence. For example, a person who causes a car accident because of drunk driving will most likely have to pay punitive damages to the person who filed a personal injury case.
Hiring a Dog Bite Attorney
A personal injury attorney is one that can handle a dog bite case. You will want to schedule a consultation as quickly as possible to get the process started of you receiving the compensation you deserve. A reliable attorney may even take your case on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing until you receive your settlement.
