What Are Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts in Denver?

Every year, about 885,000 people in the United States seek medical attention for injuries caused by dogs. This results in about $100,000,000 in hospital costs alone. Dog attacks are one of the most common reasons for home insurance claims. If you or your child are facing injuries from an aggressive dog, the dog’s owner may be liable.

Denver Dog Attacks and Injuries

Most victims of dog bites and other canine-inflicted injuries are children. Dog attacks can result in very serious injury, or in some cases, death. Some injuries commonly sustained by dog bite victims include:

• permanent scarring or disfigurement
• deep tissue damage
• nerve damage and loss of feeling
• brain damage
• loss of digits, arms, or legs
• bacterial infection, sepsis, and disease

Children and adults are also at risk of having a large dog run them over and knock them down. The fall can cause broken bones or a head injury. Trampling can cause organ damage and internal bleeding.

Average Settlements for Dog Bite Injuries

Because every case is different, there is no true “average” settlement to go by for dog attack cases in the Denver area. In cases involving relatively minor injuries where the plaintiff makes a full recovery, a dog owner might expect to pay a $10,000-$20,000 settlement. It is common for cases with significant injuries to settle for around $50,000. If the dog attack results in the loss of life of a child or adult, a settlement or judgment award could be more.

In 2015, the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm conducted a study on home insurance claims for dog bite incidents. They found the (mean) national average for dog bite settlements was $32,000 and rising. Both the number of dog bite claims and the amount of settlements for these claims have increased steadily over the last few years.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Like other kinds of personal injury cases, the amount you can recover from a dog bite injury claim depends on the specific circumstances in your case. Some of the factors that influence the amount of your settlement include:

• the extent to which the defendant was at fault for your injuries, and/or any comparative fault on your part;
• the scope, severity, and permanence of your injuries;
• the total amount of medical bills you incurred from the injury;
• how much money you lost from being out of work;
• any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred from your injuries; and
• how well did you document your injuries and the facts of the case?

A skilled personal injury attorney can provide an accurate estimate of the value of your claim and help you obtain a fair settlement.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Denver, Colorado

If you or your child has injuries from a dog attack incident in Denver, call a personal injury attorney right away. The Law Office of Steve Roberts, LLC is eager to help you recover a fair settlement for your physical and economic injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.