Westminster Dog Bite Attorneys

Puncture wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, scarring, and disfigurement; dog bites can lead to serious injuries that may never fully heal. If you were the victim of an animal attack, you may be wondering if it’s possible to hold the pet’s owner responsible for the damage their dog has done. Turn to our Westminster dog bite attorneys to discuss your options. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to connect with one of our personal injury lawyers. Your initial consultation is free.

How Much Is My Dog Bite Claim Worth?

After an animal attack, you may be wondering what your personal injury claim is worth. After all, a successful outcome in your case might mean the difference between bouncing back and filing for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, legal proceedings can be unpredictable, so it’s impossible to guarantee a specific outcome. Our dog bite attorneys will first need to investigate your claim thoroughly and review the available evidence before we are able to estimate the potential value of your losses. Here are a few factors that could influence your financial award:

• Severity of Your Injuries: In some cases, an animal attack may only lead to a minor injury that takes just a few days to heal. In others, a bite could cause broken bones, scarring, and disfigurement. Typically, the more serious your injuries, the more you may stand to gain in the form of a financial award.

• Your Personal Degree of Liability: While you may be the victim of a negligent dog owner’s actions or inaction, you could still be held liable for some of your damages. For example, if you failed to follow your healthcare provider’s orders, you may face disputes over failure to mitigate damages. In such scenarios, your financial award might be reduced by a percentage reflecting your share of the fault.

• Pain and Suffering: An animal attack is a traumatic event that can lead to long-term pain and serious psychological issues. Your injuries may limit you in several ways, inhibiting your ability to enjoy your life and fulfil your role as a parent or partner. While these damages are difficult to quantify, you do have a right to seek compensation for the emotional effects of your injuries. Your lawyer may advise you to track your pain levels and other symptoms in a personal injury journal. This diary, in combination with psychiatric reports and expert witness deposition, could help you build a convincing case for non-economic damages such as emotional distress, loss of life enjoyment, and pain and suffering.

• Lost Income: If you were unable to work after the animal attack, you may have missed out on days—if not weeks—of wages. This lost income may be recoverable as part of your claim. Additionally, if your injuries are likely to affect your income earning capacity in the future, or you will never be able to work again, you might be able to seek compensation for loss of future wages, too. 

What Should I Do After Suffering a Dog Bite?

Animal attacks are rare, so few of us are prepared for the worst-case scenario. However, when man’s best friend becomes your biggest threat, knowing what to do in the aftermath could help save your life and lay a strong foundation for your personal injury claim. Here are a few steps you should take after a dog bite:

• Dial 911: While dogs may seem like docile companions, even smaller breeds have sharp teeth that rip through tissues, muscles, veins, and arteries. If you were attacked, you may require urgent care. Rapid blood loss in the wake of a dog bite can be fatal. For example, wounds can become infected or bite marks can lead to scars without immediate medical attention. Calling authorities will ensure the injured parties are treated as soon as possible. Additionally, police officers may arrive at the scene to compile an official report on the attack. This document may contain useful information such as the names and contact details of the parties involved, injuries suffered, and the officers’ observations on what transpired.

• Photograph Your Injuries: Using your smartphone, you should snap a few pictures of the injuries you suffered. Images of your wounds could help demonstrate the severity of your condition and build a case for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. 

• Take Down Eyewitness Contact Details: If you were bitten in a public setting, it’s likely someone saw what happened. If you can, you should speak to onlookers, take down statements, and record their contact details. Your attorney may want to depose eyewitnesses if their statements can help prove liability and damages.

• Visit the Doctor: Even if you only suffered minor injuries, you should still seek treatment after leaving the scene of the attack. A diligent healthcare provider will create medical records documenting the extent of your injuries, necessary procedures, and other important information related to your treatment. These records could play a critical role in proving your damages.  

Speak to a Westminster Dog Bite Attorney Today

Were you hurt by an inadequately trained, unleashed, or territorial dog? Our attorneys can assess your situation to determine whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or switch over to our Contact Page to pencil in a free case review.