If you have a dog bite case in Ohio, you are entitled to just compensation. But, what does this mean, exactly? Dog attack victims are entitled to several types of compensation under Ohio law, and those who hire an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer to represent them can feel confident that they are seeking the full compensation they deserve.

When we represent individuals in dog bite cases, we take a comprehensive approach to calculating the past, present and future costs of their injuries. While every individual’s case is unique, the types of compensation that are generally available include:

Compensation for Financial Losses

Dog bite victims in Ohio can seek full compensation for the financial losses they incur. This includes not only the costs they incur for treatment in the immediate aftermath of the attack, but also the costs they incur after their initial doctor’s visit—whether they incur these costs days, weeks, months or years in the future. The financial losses a Columbus dog bite lawyer can help you seek to recover include:

The Costs of Diagnosis and Initial Treatment

After a dog bite, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. You need to make sure you have a clear and comprehensive understanding of your injuries and any other health risks you may be facing (including rabies), and you need to begin treatment promptly in order to minimize your risk of suffering long-term or permanent effects. The costs of your diagnosis and initial treatment will be included in your claim for just compensation.

Future Treatment Costs

Your claim for just compensation should also include your future treatment costs. Whether you need surgery, psychological or psychiatric care, or any other form of treatment as a result of your dog attack, you are entitled to just compensation for all of the treatment costs you will incur.

Other Medical Expenses

Along with your diagnosis and treatment costs, your dog bite claim can—and should—include compensation for your other medical expenses. This includes things like wound care, pain medications, and the cost of transportation to and from your appointments. Here, too, this includes not only your costs to date, but also the costs you will incur in the future.

Other Out-of-Pocket Costs

An experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer will be able to help you seek just compensation for any other out-of-pocket costs you incur as well. If you need help around the house (i.e., with cleaning or landscaping), if you need someone else to drive you to work, and if you incur any other costs as a result of your injuries, you should be sure to include these costs in your dog bite case.

Lost Income and Benefits

If your injuries from the dog attack prevent you from working, you are also entitled to just compensation for your lost income and benefits. With this in mind, you should keep track of any hours or days you miss from work, and you will want to rely on your Columbus dog bite lawyer to calculate just compensation for any time your doctor expects you to miss from work going forward.

Compensation for Non-Financial Losses

Dog attack victims are also entitled to just compensation for their non-financial losses under Ohio law. While calculating just compensation for these losses is more complex than calculating your financial losses, these losses will likely account for the majority of damages you are entitled to recover. With this in mind, it is extremely important to work with an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer who can help you seek appropriate damages for your:

Emotional Distress

Serious dog attacks can cause severe emotional distress. If you find yourself dealing with fear, anxiety, depression or any other mental health challenges after your dog attack, you are entitled to just compensation for these effects of your attack. To be clear, this is compensation above and beyond the costs of your psychological or psychiatric care. Non-financial damages are intended to provide compensation for the other ways your injuries impact your day-to-day life.

Pain and Suffering

Serious dog attacks can also cause severe pain and suffering. While pain medications may help you cope with your injuries on a day-to-day basis (if you choose to take them), they will not truly make your pain go away. Several factors go into calculating just compensation for pain and suffering; and, the more you can do to document these non-financial losses, the better your chances will be of recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Scarring and Disfigurement

If your dog bite injuries leave you permanently scarred or disfigured, you are entitled to additional compensation for these non-financial effects of the attack. Scarring and disfigurement can serve as daily reminders of the attack; and, for many people, they can cause embarrassment, loss of confidence and other effects as well. While financial compensation won’t make your scarring or disfigurement go away, it is important to make sure you have the financial resources you will need to cope with the permanent effects of your injuries.

Loss of Consortium, Companionship and Society

For many people, serious injuries from dog bites can also lead to loss of consortium, companionship and society. If your injuries’ physical or mental effects interfere with your relationship with your spouse or partner, your children, or your friends or colleagues, you are entitled to additional compensation for these non-financial losses as well.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Financial compensation is also available for dog bite victims’ loss of enjoyment of life. If you are unable to work, enjoy your hobbies or attend social events, these are also non-financial losses for which you can—and should—hire an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer to help you seek just compensation.

How Much Can You Recover? Find Out from a Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer for Free

How much are you entitled to recover for the financial and non-financial effects of your dog attack in Ohio? To find out in a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer, call 888-444-7440 or request an appointment online today.