One common injury that people might face in Pennsylvania is being bitten by a dog. Often, the dog is the pet of a relative, friend or neighbor. Because a dog bite can cause serious bleeding and infection, the person bitten is often taken to the emergency room to be taken care of. After seeking medical attention, you might be presented with a hospital bill that is beyond your means. Understandably, you want to be compensated for your injuries and thus be able to pay your hospital bill. The following includes further information regarding dog bites and seeking compensation.
What losses can you obtain compensation for?
If you present clear evidence that you were bitten by a person’s dog, then you may be compensated for most of your claims. Many compensation requests include the bill for medical attention and even emotional trauma a victim may have developed after the incident. You may also receive compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Limited ability to seek employment
Punitive damages
In rare cases, your personal injury attorney may persuade the judge to have the other party pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are a way of punishing the pet owner for either acting out during the trial or practicing extreme negligence. It is often the case that these damages are placed on companies or organizations rather than individuals.
It’s no secret that dog bites can be extremely dangerous and expensive to take care of. That is why victims of dog bites may want to seek legal representation immediately. It is critical that any compensation requests are presented to the courts in a timely manner to increase the chances of obtaining a favorable result.