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When a dog bites someone, the victim can seek compensation for their immediate medical bills and lost income. But what about the scarring that often results from these attacks? Is compensation available for the physical, psychological, and emotional impacts of the scars?
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury, it’s time to determine which legal damages you can claim. Working with an experienced attorney will make a difference. Find out why dog bite victims in Macon and Warner Robins trust Joshua E. Palmer LLC.
Understanding Disfigurement Damages
Although dog bite victims are usually concerned about the immediate medical and financial costs associated with the bite, they should not overlook scarring and related issues. Georgia law allows victims to claim a variety of damages related to disfigurement, including:
- Future medical treatments: The victim may require future surgeries and other treatments to try to hide or minimize the appearance of scarring. These are separate from medical treatments in the immediate aftermath of the attack to deal with such matters as bleeding and infection.
- Pain and suffering: Disfigurement comes with a heavy price to one’s well-being. It is therefore common for a victim in Macon or Warner Robins to suffer pain along with the scarring during the healing process.
- Financial consequences: Some victims rely on their appearance to earn a living, such as models and people who work in sales. Therefore, when they suffer scarring from a dog bite, there could be major career implications and financial losses.
- Social and emotional problems: It’s also common for dog bite victims to suffer a hit to their self-esteem, quality of life, and social relationships. Scars have social and emotional consequences that are often central to the victim’s claim for damages.
- Psychological damages: Dog bites and attacks are violent, so the scars often symbolize the victim’s psychological trauma. Anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are natural results.
How Much Are My Damages Worth?
Disfigurement damages are a blend of economic (e.g. medical bills for scar revision treatments) and non-economic (which are more subjective in nature) damages. Some factors that will affect the value of a Macon or Warner Robins disfigurement claim include:
- The nature and severity of the scarring: In general, more severe, lasting, and noticeable scars are going to increase the dollar value of a disfigurement claim.
- Likely future medical bills: As mentioned above, the victim should consider any future treatments they will need to try to correct or minimize scarring.
- Likely decreased earning capacity: To the extent that scarring affects a victim’s occupational livelihood and earning ability, the court will consider these losses.
- Other effects of the scarring: How the scars impact one’s relationships, social life, daily activities, and general well-being will also prove relevant.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you suffered a dog bite in Macon or Warner Robins, you need competent and dedicated legal representation to advocate for all of the damages that you deserve. We can assist by:
- Determining the full value of all of your damages related to the dog bite, including reasonably estimated future ones
- Retaining expert witnesses who can speak on complex matters, such as the likely medical treatments you could require for scar revision
- Helping make your claim for emotional and psychological losses related to the scarring
- Handling all communications and settlement negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Taking your case to trial if the insurers refuse to fairly settle your case
You can count on Joshua E. Palmer LLC to fight for justice in your dog bite case. Begin working on your claim today by contacting our law office.
