Being bitten by a dog is not only physically painful, but it can also leave lasting emotional and financial consequences. In South Carolina, victims of dog bites can seek compensation for a variety of damages, but understanding which ones apply to your case can be overwhelming. By working with a North Charleston dog bite lawyer, you can identify the specific damages you may be entitled to after such a traumatic event.
Dog bite cases go beyond medical bills, so it is important to think about as you question, “What damages can I claim after a dog bite?”. Depending on the severity of the attack, you may be able to claim damages related to emotional distress, property damage, and even future medical expenses. A South Carolina personal injury lawyer is important to have on your side during this time.
What to Know About Claiming Pain and Suffering
When it comes to dog bite cases, pain and suffering often account for a significant portion of the damages. Pain and suffering include both the physical pain caused by the injury and the emotional trauma that follows. For instance, many victims experience anxiety or fear of dogs after an attack, which can have a profound effect on their daily lives.
Claiming pain and suffering damages requires proving that the injury had a negative impact on your quality of life. This could mean detailing how the injury prevented you from participating in normal activities or caused long-term emotional issues like PTSD. To strengthen your claim, your dog bite attorney in South Carolina may recommend gathering evidence such as medical records or testimony from a therapist.
If you’re considering filing a claim for pain and suffering, you should be prepared for the insurance company to push back. They may argue that the emotional damage is overstated or unrelated to the incident. This is why thorough documentation is so important.
Emotional and Psychological Damages You Can Recover
Dog bites do not just leave physical scars—they can lead to deep emotional and psychological trauma. For many, the emotional effects after an attack can be just as challenging, if not more so, than the physical recovery. Victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the attack.
These emotional and psychological damages are considered “non-economic damages,” meaning they do not have a set dollar amount like medical bills, according to the South Carolina Noneconomic Damage Awards Act of 2005. However, you can still seek compensation for these effects with the right evidence. Common examples of evidence include a formal diagnosis from a mental health professional, personal journal entries documenting emotional struggles, or witness testimony from family and friends who have observed your emotional distress.
Pursuing emotional and psychological damages requires a strong, well-documented case. While these claims can be more difficult to prove than physical injuries, they are just as valid. They should not be overlooked when you are gathering evidence in a dog bite lawsuit.
Property Damage Considerations in Dog Bite Cases
Dog bites can also result in property damage. While many people think only of medical bills or emotional trauma, property damage is another factor to consider. For example, if a dog attacks while you are riding a bike or carrying belongings, you could face repair or replacement costs.
Common forms of property damage in dog bite cases include damaged clothing, torn personal items, and even destroyed electronics that you were carrying at the time of the attack. If you were using any medical devices, such as hearing aids or glasses, when the bite occurred, those could also be included in the damages. Having to replace or repair these items can add up quickly, further complicating your recovery.
To claim property damage, you should keep receipts and take photos of the damaged items. This documentation will help you prove the value of the property and increase your chances of recovering compensation. The more detailed your records, the stronger your claim will be when seeking reimbursement for these losses.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Dog Bite?
Medical costs are often the largest category of damages in dog bite cases, so it is important to know when you should see a doctor for a dog bite. The severity of the injury will dictate how much you can claim for medical expenses. Medical expenses eligible for potential compensation can include:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Follow-up doctor’s appointments
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Psychological counseling
After outlining these costs, be sure to continue gathering medical bills and keeping track of future appointments. Staying organized will make it easier to calculate the full extent of your medical expenses when filing your claim. This proactive approach can also help prevent any overlooked costs from reducing the compensation you rightfully deserve.
How to Document Your Expenses After a Dog Attack
The first step to documenting your expenses is to keep every medical bill, including those for follow-up appointments, medications, and any other treatments related to your injury. You should also maintain receipts for any property damage, such as torn clothing or broken personal items. If you have had to take time off work, keep records of your lost wages as well.
Documenting your emotional and psychological damages may require a bit more effort, but it is just as important. Keep a journal where you track your mood, emotional challenges, and any mental health treatment you are receiving. This can provide helpful evidence of how the dog bite has impacted your mental well-being.
Do not underestimate the power of photos. Take photos of your injuries immediately after the attack and continue to document them as they heal. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it takes to settle a dog bite injury claim, having your documentation together may help improve the speediness of the outcome.
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm to See How We Can Help
Dog bite cases involve more than just physical healing; they are about regaining control of your life. Whether it is covering ongoing medical expenses or receiving compensation for emotional distress, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your experience. Get in touch with a South Carolina dog bite attorney on our team today to explore your options.
