Following a dog attack in Portsmouth, Virginia, determining the appropriate course of action can be challenging. Once you’ve received medical treatment, it may be advisable to consult with a lawyer to explore your legal options. You are not obligated to retain the services of an attorney beyond the initial consultation, so it’s worthwhile to consider all potential avenues.
Insurance companies often attempt to reduce settlements or reject claims, so it’s essential to have a Virginia personal injury attorney advocating for your interests. If you’re unwilling to confront the insurance company on your own, seeking legal representation is crucial.
DO YOU HAVE A DOG BITE CASE?
- Were you or a loved one attacked by someone else’s dog?
- Did the attack cause serious physical injury?
- Did you seek medical attention for your injuries?
- Was the attack a result of dog owner (or caretaker) negligence?
- Did the attack occur in Virginia?
If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, you may have a Virginia personal injury case. Consider consulting with a Virginia personal injury lawyer experienced with dog bite cases. Call/text us for a free consultation 757-233-0009.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A DOG ATTACK
Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to compensation:
- Get medical attention. First and foremost, if you’ve been injured, it is always a good idea to seek medical attention from a professional to protect your health. If you plan to make a personal injury claim, your medical records will document the serious nature of your injuries.
- Report the incident to animal control. When an animal attacks a person, that animal has become a potential threat to the health and safety of the public. Further, animal control will need to conduct an investigation into the incident as well as quarantine the animal for rabies. The animal control investigative findings will be important evidence in your personal injury case.
- Portsmouth Animal Control 757-393-8430
- 301 Columbia St, Portsmouth, VA 23704
- Consider contacting a lawyer. While hiring a lawyer is not required, having an experienced professional to advocate for your needs could mean a larger settlement for you and your family. A successful settlement can cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, plastic surgery, permanent injuries and disabilities, a wrongful death, as well as the loss of earning capacity.
COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITE VICTIMS
Depending on the circumstances of your situation, you may be entitled to the following damages:
- Pain and suffering: This is the right to compensation for physical pain and suffering and mental anguish you have suffered and could possibly endure in the future.
- Loss of Earnings: You are entitled to recover for the loss of earnings which you suffered from your injuries.
- Future Loss of Earnings: If your injuries have prevented you from your ability to earn income in the future, you can recover damages for the value of the reduction in earning capacity with reasonable probability which will occur in the future.
- Disfigurement: If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, the victim is entitled to recovery for the disfigurement. Because these injuries are often in very visible places, victims are often very self-conscious of their appearance.
- Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery.
- Medical Expenses: Dangers include any sort of medical expenses that a victim has had to pay for at a hospital, clinic, or to a pharmacy.
- Wrongful Death of a Loved One: Fatal dog attacks don’t happen very often, but when they do occur, they’re always incredibly tragic. No one ever expects to lose a loved one in such a violent way. The Virginia wrongful death statute allows certain family members of the victim to file a claim on the behalf of the deceased.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE SETTLEMENTS
- $100,000.00 – Mail carrier injured knee
- $100,000.00 – FedEx driver arm injuries
- $100,000.00 – Child attacked by neighbor’s dog
- $150,000.00 – Client sustained facial wounds
- $134,000.00 – Child facial wounds
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (DEADLINES)
In Virginia, there are strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit. In many cases, Virginia provides a two-year deadline also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances may alter that deadline. Once the statute of limitations has passed, you are no longer allowed to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries. Consider a free consultation with a Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
VIRGINIA DOG BITE LAWYERS
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we settle or win your case. Contact our experienced Virginia dog bite legal team for a free consultation. No legal fees unless we settle or win your case. Call or text us anytime at 757-233-0009.