As dog owners both of our lawyers know the joy that having a dog can bring. However, as dog bite lawyers we also know the devastation that can occur when a dog attacks someone. Given that a huge number of households in the United States that contain dogs, it should come as no surprise that a large number of people each year are attacked or bitten by dogs. Based on how a dog attack occurred as well as the local laws that apply, dog owners are often found liable for injuries that result. The following will review the different types of damages that a person can pursue if he or she is harmed by a dog.
The most common type of expense related to dog injuries are medical costs, which can include expenses associated with hospital services or medical treatment. In many dog bite cases, a victim’s injuries can be much more severe than they first appear and require extensive treatment and rehabilitative therapy to reach full recovery.
There is often pain associated with the injuries caused by dog bites or attacks. Emotional damage can result from the physical pain and the trauma of the attack, as well. Dog attack victims can end up experiencing anxiety, depression, and shock. In the most serious cases, post-traumatic stress disorder is known to result from dog attacks.
When dog bite victims are required to take time off of work to recover from their injuries, they are entitled to receive compensation for any lost income. If an injury impairs a person’s ability to work in the future, that person should be compensated for the loss of future income. Detailed documentation must be provided to the insurance companies in order to maximize recovery in this area.
If injuries caused by a dog bite attack affect someone’s spouse, it is possible to receive compensation for loss of consortium, which includes the loss of companionship associated with the relationship.
A dog owner whose conduct was significantly reckless or egregious in nature can sometimes be required to pay an additional amount of punitive damages to the victim. These damages are designed to punish the responsible party and to send a strong message to them and others to take measures to prevent this type of harm in the future. If a dog bite involves strict liability, however, punitive damages are often not involved. Instead, in Ohio, a dog bite victim is often able to receive punitive damage if the case relies on gross negligence or malice.
If you or a loved one is injured in a dog bite incident, you should not hesitate to obtain the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. At Kruger & Hodges, we understand just how serious dog bites can be and we remain committed to helping dog bite victims obtain the compensation they deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule an initial free consultation with a dog bite lawyer in Hamilton, Ohio.
