Dogs will often attack without warning, catching their victims off guard and leaving them at the mercy of their strong jaws and razor-sharp incisors. It’s no surprise that those at the receiving end of these onslaughts are often left seriously injured, traumatized, and facing a long, painful road to recovery.
If you were hurt by someone else’s dog, you might be entitled to compensation for the losses you’ve incurred. The damages available to you will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding the attack, the severity of your injuries, and the impact your condition has had on your ability to lead a normal life.
In Michigan, dog bite victims can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include losses that are tangible and can be easily quantified (i.e., medical expenses, property damage, and lost income). Non-economic damages cover so-called intangible losses such as pain and suffering.
In this article, we look at a few types of losses that are commonly available to dog bite victims:
1. Medical Costs
Any expenses associated with your medical treatment are usually recoverable as part of a dog bite claim. Such costs might include doctor’s visits, ambulance trips, ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy sessions, prescription drugs, and other healthcare interventions.
2. Property Damage
If any of your personal property was damaged in the attack, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing these items. For instance, if your phone was destroyed, you could factor the cost of purchasing a new device into your settlement estimations.
3. Lost Income
If your injuries prevented you from returning to work, you may be able to build a case for lost wages. Both the wages you’ve lost thus far and those you’re likely to miss out on in the future may be recoverable.
4. Non-Economic Damages
This category of damages covers a wide range of losses including emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. As you can imagine, demonstrating such damages can be difficult as these invisible scars cannot be seen with the naked eye. Typically, you will need to provide many different types of evidence to highlight the psychological impact the attack and your injuries have had on your well-being. For instance, psychiatric reports, testimony from family members, and personal injury journal entries can work in combination to give others a window into how you’ve suffered since you were bitten.
Reach Out to a Dog Bite Attorney in Detroit Today
Were you hurt in an animal attack? Turn to the legal team at Seva Law Firm to discuss your options. We can meet with you as part of a free consultation wherein we can advise you on your rights, assess the merits of your case, and explain how we might approach building your case.
With a track record of success both in and out of court, you can rest assured that our legal team possesses the experience, knowledge, and resources necessary to help you secure a favorable outcome. Reach us at (248) 385-5704 or jump to our contact page HERE to request a consultation with a Detroit personal injury attorney.
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