What is a fair dog attack injury claim amount?

by Darlene
(Salem, UT, U.S.A.)

I'm wondering what's an appropriate dog attack injury claim amount for my case: On November 30, 2010 I was bitten on my right hand by a dog at a home where I clean weekly. The bite broke my right ring finger and caused damage to my tendons (I am right handed).

It required surgery, including small rods placed through my hand down into the broken finger. I had horrific swelling so I was put into a splint until the swelling subsided, after which I was put into a cast a week or so later.

I was in the cast for three or four weeks and I am now in a brace for four more weeks that I take off several times a day for exercises to get the finger working again.

Home owners insurance is paying all the medical expenses and my lost wages for which I am grateful. What is a fair monetary settlement for a serious dog bite?

Thank you for answering this question for me.

Disclaimer: Information provided in our response is NOT formal legal advice. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information you provided. Under no circumstances should the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site be relied upon when making decisions about your case. You should always get a formal case review from a licensed attorney.

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ANSWER for "What is a fair dog attack injury claim amount?":

There is no set amount for a dog bite, however there are factors that go into determining settlement amounts that may be instructive for you.

If you are finished treating, you need to gather your medical records and determine how much the injury cost, not including payments from your insurance company (which are considered a collateral source and are not included).

Once you know exactly what your medical bills are, you would take this figure and multiply it by 4-5x. Then add to it any out of pocket expenses, such as co-pays and prescriptions, as well as your wage loss.

The formula will look like this, for example:

$10,000 (medical bills) x 5 = $50,000

+ out of pockets ($1,000)

+ lost wages ($2,000)

= $53,000 total

Cases rarely settle for the amount first demanded, however this is a nice starting point from which to begin negotiating. You cannot go UP once you start, so it is always good to start high.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.


Best of luck,

Law Guy