How much can You sue for in a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Last Updated on August 5, 2022 by Dogs Vets

How much can You sue for in a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

 

In the United States, an average of 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Of those, nearly 1 million require medical attention and about 20 die.

While most dog bites are not serious, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with being around dogs and take precautions to reduce your chances of being bitten.

 

The situation of dog bites

Dogs kill and injure significantly more people per year than other animals. Crocodiles, alligators, bears, and sharks kill an average of twelve people yearly. On the other hand, dogs kill an estimated twenty-eight people daily.

This discrepancy is largely due to the lack of regulation surrounding dog ownership.

There are no requirements for dog owners to license their animals or insure them against attacks. No laws also require dogs to be muzzled in public spaces. 

While this statistic is shocking, injuries resulting from a dog attack are not surprising when one considers the number of households that have dogs in the United States alone.

Nearly forty-seven percent of American households have at least one dog. That is a lot of dogs with a lot of potentials to harm people. 

Whether a dog bite leads to death or not, a man’s so-called “best friend” tends to target the following body parts. 

For centuries, dogs have been known as man’s best friends. They are devoted to their owners and always delighted to see them. However, sometimes that love can turn deadly. 

 

The most common body parts a dog can bite

When most people think of a dog bite, they think of an animal attacking someone. However, in many cases, the person who a dog injures is not the one who was being attacked. Often, the person trying to pet the dog or show it some affection gets bit.

This can be a problem because people often test a dog’s demeanor by reaching out their hand and allowing sniffing. This puts their hands at risk for a bite, even if the dog seems friendly. Dogs can be very unpredictable, and even seemingly friendly dogs may bite if they feel scared or threatened.

According to a study of dog attacks, the animals usually try to disable their victims by going for the limbs and getting them on the ground. This can result in serious injuries, including lacerations, puncture wounds, and broken bones. 

In most cases, dogs are not trying to kill people but to disable them so they cannot fight back. As a result, it is important to keep yourself as safe as possible when around dogs by avoiding interaction and keeping your distance if you must approach. 

Injuries from dog bites can range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious injuries like broken bones or puncture wounds.

The body parts most likely to be injured in a dog attack are the head, face, neck, hands and arms. If a dog bites you, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit. 

How much can dog bite victims recover in a lawsuit? 

A dog bite can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death.  In many states, the victim of a dog bite can sue the dog’s owner for monetary damages. 

The amount of money the victim can receive depends on various factors, including the severity of the injury and whether or not the victim was negligent. 

Some victims may also be able to recover compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. 

In 2019, the average settlement cost for a dog bite case was between $35,000 and $50,000.

This significantly increased from the average settlement cost in 2005, only $27,000. There are several reasons for this increase. First, there has been a general increase in the cost of medical care. 

Additionally, juries are more likely to award larger settlements to victims of dog bites than in the past.

Finally, the insurance companies are more likely to settle these cases than go to court. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement and represent you in court if necessary. 

 

Conclusion

Each year, nearly 5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs, and more than 1 million of those bites require medical attention. Of those 1 million bites, about 20 die from their injuries.

That may not seem like a lot, but when you consider that less than 1% of the dog population is responsible for almost 60% of all fatalities caused by dog bites, it’s clear that this is a serious problem. 

Facts Check

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