A frightening attack, complex medical challenges, and how steady advocacy helped a new worker reclaim control of her life with a $225,000 settlement.

What Happened

A 38-year-old woman from Fairfax reached out to Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm after a violent dog attack left her with life-changing injuries. She found us through a Google search, unsure of where to turn or whether anyone would understand the seriousness of what she was experiencing. 

While following company procedure to enter the client’s home, she opened the interior door and was suddenly attacked by the client’s dog. A coworker assisted her to safety and helped assess her injuries. 

Animal Control was notified, and liability later proceeded through State Farm, the homeowners’ insurance provider for the dog’s owners. At the time, our client had no health insurance, adding fear and uncertainty to an already traumatic moment. 

How It Felt

In the immediate aftermath, she was shaken but hopeful she would recover quickly. But within days, her symptoms worsened. She experienced swelling, numbness, tingling, nerve pain, and a growing weakness that affected her ability to walk. Her gait changed. She felt unsteady and frightened by symptoms she couldn’t understand.

Medical appointments led to more questions, then invasive procedures, and ultimately two surgeries. When her symptoms continued to spread and intensify, she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II, a chronic and often debilitating pain condition triggered by nerve trauma.

The diagnosis brought clarity, but it also brought fear. She struggled with:

  • Persistent nerve pain
  • Weakness in both legs
  • Significant mobility limitations
  • Sleep disturbances and nightmares
  • Surgical scarring
  • Numbness in sensitive regions
  • Vision changes connected to neurological complications

Her quality of life changed dramatically. She worried no one would believe what she was going through, especially because the attack happened so early in her training. She felt overwhelmed, alone, and unsure how she would pay for ongoing medical care.

That’s when she searched online for a Fairfax personal injury attorney and found us.

Our Approach

From the beginning, our team focused on listening. She needed more than legal help; she needed reassurance that someone finally understood the seriousness of her situation.

We conducted a thorough investigation, including:

  • Documenting her entry route into the Vienna home
  • Gathering a detailed witness statement from the trainer
  • Coordinating with Animal Control to obtain official records
  • Establishing communication with State Farm
  • Collecting extensive medical documentation, from surgical reports to neurological evaluations

CRPS cases can be complex, and insurance carriers often overlook or misunderstand them. We built a clear timeline linking the dog bites to the progression of her nerve damage, her surgeries, and her long-term prognosis.

Throughout the case, we stayed in close communication, ensuring she never had to speak to the insurance company alone, chase medical records herself, or wonder what came next. She often shared that the most meaningful part of the process was knowing she didn’t have to face it by herself.

The Outcome

After months of focused advocacy and careful presentation of the medical evidence, we reached a $225,000 settlement for our client.

More importantly, the resolution brought:

  • Relief from overwhelming medical bills
  • Recognition of the seriousness of her injuries
  • Support for ongoing care needs
  • A sense of validation after months of fear and uncertainty

She finished her case feeling heard, respected, and understood—something she had not felt since the moment the dog lunged at her in that Vienna home.

Her recovery journey continues, but she now has the resources and stability she needs to move forward.

Moving Forward

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite or animal attack, the experience can leave you physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelmed. A Virginia personal injury attorney at Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm can help you understand your rights and navigate the recovery process with care and clarity.

Call for a free consultation.

Disclaimer:
Case results depend on many factors unique to each case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.