Dogs are the most common pet in the United States, with more than 48 million households owning one or more dogs. Most of these dogs are loving companions that will go their entire life without harming a human. Yet, at the same time, there is a significant subset of dogs that are very dangerous. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people suffer dog bites each year. About one in five of these victims require medical attention.
Dog bite victims often suffer severe physical injuries, including puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bones, and soft tissue damage. However, the psychological impacts of a dog attack can be just as bad–or worse. While nothing can turn back the hands of time to before the accident, by filing a dog bite lawsuit you can pursue a claim for compensation against the animal’s owner. Depending on the nature of the accident, and the state law where the attack occurred, you may not even need to show that the dog’s owner was negligent. In other words, dog owners may be held strictly liable for any injuries caused by their animal.
At Console & Associates, P.C., we provide custom-tailored representation to dog bite victims and their families, helping them obtain meaningful compensation. We strongly believe in the work we do, because we are not only helping our clients obtain the compensation they need to more easily move on with their life after an accident, but are also making society a safer place. Dog owners need to know that someone is out there who will hold them accountable. At Console & Associates, P.C., our dog bite lawyers have 25 years of experience helping victims and their families obtain the compensation they need and deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a dog bite lawyer today, give us a call. Calling is risk-free. We will never pressure you to bring a case and, if you decide to move forward with a dog bite lawsuit, we won’t bill you unless and until we can recover compensation on your behalf. That’s part of the “No Fee Promise” we make to each one of our clients.
You are not alone. To find out more about your legal rights and options, call Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500 for a free consultation.
At Console & Associates, P.C., our attorneys have a long history of standing up for the survivors of dog bites. A $125,000 payout for a young dog bite victim with a severed lip is just one example of the animal attack legal claims our team has handled over our decades of experience practicing law. Our dog bite attorneys understand the intricacies of dog bite law and liability, as well as the serious harm—physical and psychological—that can result from a dog bite.
Despite the difficulties you’re facing right now, improvement is possible, and the money our dog bite lawyers get for you can help you afford the care you need to achieve maximum healing. Our No Fee Promise means that experienced legal representation for a dog bite injury claim won’t cost you anything upfront. Pursuing a claim begins with a free, no-obligation legal consultation that allows you to get your questions answered and understand what to expect from the legal process.
A dog bite refers to the damage caused by the mouth, jaws, and teeth of a domesticated dog. Bites can come from large dogs and small ones, whether healthy or infected with a disease like rabies.
When a dog bite is serious enough to either require you to undergo significant medical treatment or impact your life—or, more commonly, both—then you might have the grounds for a dog bite claim. This is a civil claim, not a criminal matter, and through your claim, you would be seeking financial compensation. Average dog bite settlement amounts vary by state, but the national average dog bite claim payout in 2020 was $50,425, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Dog bites are distinct from other types of injuries that a dog may cause, such as scratching a person or knocking them down. Although any type of attack committed by a dog could leave a person with injuries—and potentially open up the dog’s owner to legal liability for the damages that result—dog bite law may differ from laws pertaining to other types of injuries related to dogs.
To assess the severity of a dog’s biting problems, professionals look at wound pathology and use Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Bite Scale, according to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Under this scale, there are six levels of dog bites.
Sometimes called “pre-bite” incidents, a level 1 dog bite refers to aggressive behavior, such as snapping at the air, that does not include contact between the dog’s teeth and the (human or animal) victim’s skin.
Also known as “near-bites,” level 2 dog bites happen when teeth make contact with skin, but no skin puncture occurs. Injuries, including skin nicks up to one-tenth of an inch deep that result from lateral or forward movements of the dog’s teeth, may still result from a level 2 bite.
A level 3 bite is one in which one to four punctures occur, with none of the punctures deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.
A level 4 dog bite is a very serious bite in which at least one of the punctures goes deeper into the skin than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. Often, bruising results from the dog biting down and holding on. Lacerations may occur in both directions if the dog aggressively shook its head side-to-side while biting.
According to the level 4 dog bite settlement examples listed below, the typical level 4 dog bite settlement is anywhere from $125,000 to $512,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for level 4 dog bites.
$512,000 – In Elizabeth’s level 4 dog bite settlement, she was injured at just 4 years old by a pit bull which left her with serious physical and emotional injuries. Her compensation was a jury awarding her $512,000.
125, 000 – In another dog bite case, a teenager was awarded a settlement of $125,000 for a level four dog bite which resulted in her having to undergo reconstructive surgery to replace her missing lip.
A level 5 dog bite incident involves multiple bites in one incident or multiple attacks in which a minimum of two bites meeting level 4 criteria occur.
According to the level 5 dog bite settlement examples listed below, the typical level 5 dog bite settlement is anywhere from $1,500,000 to $7,250,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for level 5 dog bites.
$2.2 million – In one dog bite case, Sue was attacked in bed by two dogs that caused injuries to her face, arms, and hands. She was awarded a settlement of 2.2 million for her level 5 dog bite injuries.
$1.5 million – In another case, Anne’s level 5 dog bite compensation was 1.5 million after being attacked by a pit bull that left her with 17 lacerations that needed 300 stitches.
$7.25 million – This dog bite compensation was for extensive damage that was caused which was predicted to take years to recover from.
A dog bite is considered a level 6 bite when it fatally injures the victim.
The dog bite scale is used primarily to assess the dog’s prognosis in terms of potential for future harm and the likelihood of success of bite-inhibition training, not to diagnose injuries or develop treatment plans for the victim.
Dog bites can cause numerous types of injuries to different areas of the body, as well as emotional and psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Common types of dog bite injuries include:
The areas of the body that most commonly suffer dog bite injuries include:
The costs of treating your injuries and the pain, limitations, and decline in quality of life that your injuries cause you are among the damages for which you can seek compensation in a dog bite claim.
Dog bites can cause distress and bodily harm to others. As some people are unwilling to pay for any damage caused in that manner, others may be required to seek out legal justice in suing. In 2019, nearly $796.8M was settled in dog bite claims. In total, there were 17,802 claims with an average cost of $44,760 each. Various factors can influence how much a person is owed for compensation, as bite cases can differ from one another based on the severity of the dog bite injuries. A study by the CDC found that nearly 4.7M dog bites occurred in 1994, so these injuries are relatively commonplace. Not everyone who’s been injured pursues to use the legal system to their advantage, so it’s best if a person seeks help when possible. Dog bite compensation will vary based on the severity of the bite and other factors. A level 1 dog bit may not return any compensation, while a level 4 or 5 dog bite may return several thousand.
If you have been injured in a New Jersey dog bite incident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the compensation can vary widely depending on the specifics of your claim. Damages can range from reimbursement for medical expenses to compensation for long-term injuries. The factors that may impact how much you can recover generally include:
You may also be able to recover damages for:
Every year, more than 4.5 million Americans sustain dog bites, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. While the Association of Professional Dog Trainers reported that the majority of dog bite incidents are level 1 and level 2 bites, leaving only minor injuries, that isn’t the case for every dog bite victim.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that almost one in five dog bite victims requires medical attention for their injuries. All told, 800,000 people seek medical attention for a dog bite in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Based on 2019 data, the likelihood of being bitten by a dog in the United States is 1 in 73, according to Canine Journal, and Petpedia reported that the likelihood of dying from a dog bite is a much lower 1 in 112,400.
When you experience a dog attack, it can be an awful, traumatizing experience. After all, dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend. The injuries a dog attack can inflict are painful and will likely require a process of medical examinations and treatments before your life returns to normal. You deserve fair compensation as you recover, to ease the financial and mental burden of your recovery.
The pathway to the money you are entitled to can be complicated. The last thing you want to worry about while you recuperate is how you will pay for your treatment. Our experienced dog attack attorneys are here to guide you through the journey to get the compensation you need.
It’s difficult to think clearly following the chaos of a dog bite, especially one that results in significant injury. Here are the steps you need to take when you have been attacked by a dog.
Generally, dog bite laws allow victims to hold dog owners and property owners accountable for bite injuries. You can file a claim for compensation with the insurance company of the negligent party, seeking monetary damages for physical injuries, medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, decrease in future earning potential, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
Dog bite laws vary by state. For example, some states have a “one bite rule” in which a dog must have a history of biting or aggression for the victim to sue.
Other states, like New Jersey, impose what’s called “strict liability” on dog owners for all of the legal damages that result from their dog biting someone. Pennsylvania imposes strict liability on dog owners for victim’s medical costs only and typically requires claimants to prove negligence if seeking other types of damages. A dog bite attorney can determine what’s required to prove liability for the bite you sustained and get you started on the path to securing compensation.
If a dog attacks you but does not bite you, the strict liability laws do not apply. But dog owners can also be found negligent if they are careless or fail to control their pets. A dog owner may be found negligent for leaving an aggressive dog unsupervised in an unfenced yard or walking a big, aggressive dog without a muzzle.
Generally, proving liability in a dog bite lawsuit begins with establishing the dog owner or property owner’s duty of care to protect you from preventable harm, such as a dog bite. You must present evidence of the negligence that constituted a breach of duty of care, which might encompass a failure to keep an aggressive dog safely restrained. Finally, you must prove that this breach of duty of care is what caused your injuries and the other legally recognizable damages for which you’re seeking compensation.
Any person who has sustained serious injuries in a bite from a dog that was not their own should speak to an attorney about their rights and options. A dog bite injury can change your life and pose major physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
The most effective way to get the full amount of compensation you deserve is to hire a dog bite attorney, since research has shown that attorneys get their clients 3.5 times more money than unrepresented claimants get for themselves. Dog bite attorneys with experience in this area of law are uniquely well-positioned to undertake the thorough investigation required to gather dog bite evidence, including asking dog bite witnesses the most important questions.
If you want the most money for your claim, you should hire a law firm with a history of recovering above-average dog bite settlement amounts—as our legal team did when we got a $125,000 payout for a young girl attacked by a friend’s dog. Console & Associates, P.C. has represented victims of all kinds of injuries and accidents for more than 25 years, so we know every nuance of the personal injury claims process and what’s required for effective dog bite legal representation. This experience allows us to thoroughly and successfully calculate the full extent of your damages and negotiate a settlement that fully covers your losses.
Pursuing dog bite compensation with us on your side is easy and risk-free. Not only do we handle every step involved in securing your dog bite lawsuit payout, but we also represent clients on a no-win, no-fee basis. You’ll pay nothing for our services unless and until we successfully recover money for you.
Under Console & Associates, P.C.’s No Fee Promise, you will pay nothing for a legal consultation through which you can seek free legal advice and nothing upfront for legal representation throughout the course of your dog bite claim. You will only ever have to pay a portion of the money we succeed in getting for you, and if your dog bite lawsuit doesn’t result in a payout, you owe us nothing.
Getting a dog bite settlement isn’t as easy as you might hope. You could devote hours to researching the legal process, compiling documentation of your damages, and trying to negotiate a settlement—and, research shows, you would likely still end up with less than an attorney would be able to get clients, on average. Or you could let our experienced professionals pursue dog bite compensation for you while you focus on rehabilitation.
Hiring a dog bite lawyer can bring clarity to a confusing, chaotic situation and a great deal of value to your potential legal claim. During a no-cost, no-obligation legal consultation, you can learn more about what to expect from the claims process and about how the value of your case is likely to compare to average dog bite settlement amounts.
For your free consultation, call (866) 778-5500 or submit our online contact form today.
Assuming there is insurance coverage available for your claim, you can sue for any dog bite injury that is serious enough to affect your life. To be able to sue, you will need to have sought medical attention for your injury, and you must be able to document your medical care with medical reports and bills for medical expenses.
You may be able to sue even if your injury hasn’t kept you out of work, especially if it caused you diminished mobility, permanent scarring, or considerable pain and suffering.
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You aren’t required to hire an attorney to handle a dog bite claim, but there are compelling reasons to do so. For one thing, having a dog bite lawyer allows you to put the demands of the claim out of your mind and focus on getting well without the distraction of managing a legal matter.
Additionally, the Insurance Research Council has reported that attorneys get their clients 3.5 times more money, on average, than unrepresented claimants receive. This means you’re likely to get significantly more money with a dog bite lawyer on your side than without professional legal representation.
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