Maison Law helps dog bite victims in California by answering their questions about the legal process. Even though every dog bite case is different, one thing stays the same: the pain and trauma you go through after being bitten. It can be challenging to put a dollar amount on your pain and suffering, but that’s where we come in. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
How Can You Show Pain and Suffering After a Dog Bite?
One of the main parts of any dog bite is how painful it is, and in terms of your claim, you can recover “damages” relating to this. But how do you show what your pain and suffering is worth? It’s all about providing documentation and other evidence, and here’s how you can do that:
- Keep records – Keep records of how the dog bite has impacted you. If things like walking, using your hands, or sleeping are harder or more painful now, make sure to note it. This helps show how much your life has been impacted.
- Highlight changes in your quality of life – If the bite stops you from enjoying hobbies, spending time with family, or working like you used to, mention these changes in your claim.
- Save your medical records – Keep records from your doctor visits, as well as things like prescriptions and therapy notes. This will show the physical and financial toll the bite has had on you.
- Get statements – Friends, family, and medical professionals can share how the bite has affected you. Medical experts can also explain any long-term effects you might deal with.
Like any claim, the more evidence you have, the more you can potentially get in damages. But remember, each case is different, so it’s important to clearly show how the dog bite has impacted your physical health, emotions, and daily life.
What Else Can Impact Pain and Suffering After a Dog Bite?
The goal of any dog bite claim is to recover damages, and pain and suffering is one of the most prominent because of just how painful a dog bite can be. While it’s hard to quantify, there’s a few different markers that might tell you how much you can get:
- Injury severity – The worse the injury, the bigger the impact. Deep wounds, infections, or nerve damage can take a long time to heal. Injuries that need surgery or leave scars can increase how much your claim is worth.
- Emotional trauma – A dog bite isn’t just about physical pain, it’s also about the emotional and psychological trauma. You might feel anxious, develop a fear of dogs, or even experience PTSD. Emotional struggles, like panic attacks or nightmares, count as part of your pain and suffering.
- Strict liability – In California, dog owners are responsible for bites no matter what, thanks to strict liability laws. If the owner let their dog run loose or ignored safety rules, it makes your claim even stronger. For example, if they knew the dog was aggressive but didn’t keep it restrained, it shows the bite could have been avoided.
- Scarring or disfigurement – If the bite leaves you with visible scars–especially on your face, hands, or neck–it can affect your confidence and how others see you. This kind of lasting impact adds to your pain and suffering.
- Reduced quality of life – A dog bite can make simple tasks harder. If you can’t work, care for your family, or enjoy your hobbies like before, it shows how much your life has changed because of the bite.
- Permanent injuries – Some bites lead to long-lasting problems, like chronic pain or limited movement. If the injury affects you for years–or forever–it increases how much compensation you might get.
Pain and suffering isn’t just about your injury–it’s about how your life has changed. This factors into your claim, but your actions also factor in.
What Should You Do to Strengthen Your Dog Bite Claim?
Even with strict liability and good documentation, you’re still going to need to take the right steps after the dog bite to get a good offer for your pain and suffering and your other damages. Every situation is different, but generally this means doing the following to strengthen your claim:
- Get to safety – Move away from the dog to a safe spot. Once you’re secure, check yourself for injuries and assess the situation.
- Get medical care – Even if the bite looks minor, get medical care right away. Even a small dog bite could turn into an infection if left untreated. Also, medical records are going to be important to your claim.
- Report the bite to animal control – Contact your local animal control department and tell them what happened. They’ll investigate and check the dog’s vaccination history and past incidents.
- Find the dog’s owner – If you can, get the owner’s name, contact info, and insurance details. If the owner isn’t around, animal control or police can help find them.
- Keep records of everything – Take pictures or videos of your injuries, the scene, and anything relevant, like the dog and its surroundings. Write down important details like the time, date, location, and witness information.
Taking these steps protects your health and strengthens your claim for damages. And remember, working with our experienced dog bite lawyers at Maison Law can give you the legal support and guidance that will make a difference in your claim. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.
