Every dog bite case is different. The value of dog-bite claims in New Mexico depends on numerous factors, including severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We often find our clients require future reconstructive surgery which also increases the value of a dog bite claim.
Injuries and Medical Expenses
The severity of injuries and resulting treatment factor into the value of a dog bite case. While some victims only sustain superficial injuries, others may suffer broken bones, or require surgery or physical therapy. Both past and future medical expenses will be taken into consideration. This includes first aid, ambulance, emergency room, hospital admissions, medications, plastic surgery, psychological counseling, future scar revision procedures, and future medications, etc. Animal attacks can often result in ugly and often permanent scarring and this should be considered in any recovery, especially those of children.
Lost Wages
Dog bite victims might have the right to recover lost wages from missed work or future lost earnings if the attack left you permanently impaired. If you child is the victim of a dog bite attack, you may recover lost wages for the time you take off work to care for them. This includes recovery of benefits like sick time or disability time that would not have otherwise been taken.
Pain and Suffering
A dog mauling often leaves the victims traumatized, especially in cases where children are attacked. This can lead to extreme anxiety and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Recovery for pain includes the severity of your pain and the duration of pain you experienced or continue to experience. Suffering includes the emotional trauma of the attack, the anxiety you now may experience around dogs or in public places, the humiliation and emotional distress of any disfigurement or scarring, and time and inconvenience of going to your doctor visits.
