Types of Compensation You Should Receive in a Dog Bite Settlement

If you suffered injuries due to a dog bite, you need to know the types of compensation you can recover under Virginia’s dog bite laws. This will help you determine if it is worth the time and stress of filing a claim and whether the insurance company is offering you a fair settlement.

Types of Compensation Awarded in Virginia Dog Bite Claims

You can recover economic and non-economic damages in a dog bite case. Economic damages are generally losses that can be calculated, such as medical bills. Non-economic damages compensate for less tangible losses, such as how your injuries have changed your quality of life.

You are entitled to compensation for your past and future damages in your settlement with the insurance company. Recovering the future damages you deserve is crucial if you suffer a long-term injury that will require medical treatment throughout your life and will impact your ability to work. Types of compensation you can request include:

• Medical bills. You are entitled to compensation for the medical treatments you need to treat your injuries. This can include hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, mental health counseling, and more.
• Wage losses. If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you should receive damages for your lost wages, sick and vacation time, and other perks of your job that you lost. You are also entitled to lost earning capacity damages if you must make a career change and take a pay cut or if you become permanently disabled.
• Property damages. You can ask for the cost to repair or replace property, such as a cellphone that was damaged when the dog attacked you.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages. They are to compensate you for the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional trauma you suffered due to the dog attack.
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages would only be awarded if the dog owner’s actions were done with malice or willful or wanton disregard of your rights. Their purpose would be to punish the owner for especially egregious actions. There is a $350,000 cap on punitive damages in Virginia.

Contact a Premises Liability Attorney Today

If you or a family member suffered injuries in a dog attack, you need the help of an experienced premises liability lawyer to determine the compensation you are entitled to and to collect the evidence you need to prove your case. Call our Norfolk office at 877-960-3441 or complete our online form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today to learn more about your rights and how we can assist you.