If you have survived a dog attack, you may be feeling very vulnerable. Dog bite injuries can require extensive recovery, both physically and emotionally. If someone else’s dog has injured you, you may be eligible for compensation. Unfortunately, recovering it is often much more difficult than it should be. A dog bite lawyer in Fairfax, VA can help.
The Virginia dog bite lawyers at Parrish Law Firm, PLLC have been helping dog bite victims put their lives back together for years. For a free evaluation of what your claim is worth and how Jim and his team can help you collect what you deserve, call us now at 571-229-1800.
Protect Your Legal Rights
Although it may be overwhelming to think about, the sooner you begin working on your claim against the offending dog owner, the better. If an insurance adjuster has contacted you, you already know that it wants to collect as much information from you as possible. Though it may appear the insurer is trying to help you, this is not the case. What it is hoping to do is construct a version of the facts that will save the business money.
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we get involved as soon as you call us. We will head off insurance company inquiries, take over distribution of your medical records, and assume control of your case so that you can focus on healing from your injuries. You can recover in peace, knowing that we are working on your behalf to maximize the compensation available to you.
Jim formerly worked as a defense attorney for insurance companies. What he brings to your case is the knowledge of how the insurance industry operates and how companies try to save money by either denying liability or paying out as little as possible.
Know What You Are Entitled To
Bite injuries vary in degree of severity. But you are entitled to compensation for anything the attack took from you.
Attacks can vary from lacerations that require stitches to deep wounds necessitating reconstructive surgery and even limb amputation. Nerve damage, torn connective tissue, and bone fractures can require extensive medical treatment.
Compensable medical bills and expenses might include:
- Emergency care and hospital stays
- Surgical treatment
- Outpatient care
- Therapy of all kinds
- Radiology
- Pain management expenses
- Psychological care
- Future treatment costs (this might require the use of a medical expert witness to determine the exact costs)
Income and other lost financial opportunities will factor into the claim as well. Depending on the nature and extent of injuries, an attack could also impair future income. Quantifying the impact of the accident on your earnings is not always as straightforward as looking at past pay stubs. It is important to evaluate all potential losses thoroughly.
Emotional distress can arise in the form of intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and fear of animals, which can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
The impact of permanent scarring and possible disfigurement might be humiliation or a loss of self-confidence. These losses, while not tied to a specific dollar amount, can be significant; we will ensure your claim demands compensation for them in addition to any other “pain and suffering” that accompanies an attack and its recovery. As with medical expenses, pain and suffering includes both the past and future effects of the attack.
Virginia also recognizes claims for “inconvenience,” to compensate victims for their inability to perform normal activities of daily life while they are recovering. Because recovery requires repeated trips for medical care and often results in a disruption to hobbies, family events, socializing with friends, inability to drive, etc., these losses are a necessary part of settling or presenting the case in court.
Fairfax Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Do Not Let an Insurance Company Shirk Its Obligations by Blaming You
Those responsible for your injuries could include dog owners, rental property owners, or businesses that groom, walk or board dogs. Regardless of whether the negligent party was a person or a business, the insurance company for the negligent party is likely to give you a difficult time about liability for the accident.
Generally, liability in a dog bite case comes down to an owner or keeper of an animal failing to restrain it, failing to warn of its aggressiveness, or a violation of a local law. An owner, keeper, or their insurance carriers may try to get around this using many tactics.
In the case of unregistered dogs, an owner will sometimes deny ownership as a way of evading responsibility. If this is not possible, the owner may claim that the victim provoked the dog to attack by tormenting or teasing it. The owner may even state that she warned the victim of an animal’s dangerous tendencies prior to the bite.
A dog owner or keeper may also claim that a victim was trespassing at the time of the attack, thus lowering the standard of care to which the victim otherwise would have been entitled. In some cases where the victim knows the owner, the owner may argue that the victim knew or should have known of the animal’s nature because of the parties’ relationship.
An insurance company is likely to zero in on any possible way you contributed to the accident from which you are now suffering. For this reason, you need a strong ally in your corner. That ally is the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC.
Let the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Help You and Your Family
As you can see, getting a fair settlement for your injuries in a dog bite case is an uphill battle. Proving liability can be difficult without legal expertise. Proving damages often requires forensic analysis that only trained experts can provide.
You have only one opportunity to pursue your claim for damages. Make sure you entrust your Fairfax, VA case to the right dog bite lawyer. Schedule your free claim review today by calling 571-229-1800.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form