DOG BITE LAWSUIT FOR PLASTIC SURGERY – LAWYERS MN
If you or your child were bitten on the face by a dog, you’re probably worried about the scarring. Also, how can you pay for plastic surgery? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hospital visit after a dog attack is more than $18,000. Plus, that figure does not include follow-up plastic surgery visits. (The MN Society of Plastic Surgeons website has a list of surgeons near you.)
Lacerations, tears and puncture wounds due to a dog bite can leave significant scars. One way to improve these disfigurements and scars is with plastic surgery. In some cases, you may need multiple procedures for optimal results.
Plastic surgery is often necessary for face, scalp and neck injuries, since these are highly visible spots. Although stitches can close open wounds, some injuries may call for reconstructive surgery like skin grafting.
WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR DOG BITE PLASTIC SURGERY
Dog bite damage from a large dog may require sophisticated plastic surgery. For example, nasal reconstruction. In most cases, the damages from a facial dog bite will include plastic surgery expenses. Unfortunately, some scars might not be completely fixed even after plastic surgery treatment. Although more surgeries may help, there are some cases where further improvement isn’t possible. Permanent scarring can cause or exacerbate emotional trauma.
In 2018, State Farm offered $123 million in payouts in 3,280 dog bite cases. That averages out to $37,500 per case. (Of course, some of these settlements were much lower and some much higher.) The amount of compensation you may get will depend on the circumstances of the attack, and the severity of the bite.
OTHER COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITE SCAR AND INJURY
On top of your damages for your medical costs and missed work, you may also be entitled to compensation for the emotional anguish you suffered due to the bite. Pain and suffering doesn’t come with an invoice like medical bills, but it still has value under the law.
Apart from getting reports from your state’s investigating agency, you need to have photos and videotaped evidence of your dog bite. Our lawyers prefer photos while you are at home, in the hospital, and as you remove and replace your bandages. Be sure to document your bite before and after each plastic surgery procedure as well. This evidence will convince the jury or insurance adjuster about the suffering and pain you endured due to the dog bites.
Factors That Affect Scar Injury Compensation
From a legal standpoint, every scar is different. Even similar scars are not identical. The following are the major factors that determine the value of dog bite cases:
- Age: younger people get a higher compensation value
- Location: more visible scars have a greater claim value
- Severity: the more severe the bite, the higher the value
- Permanency: Permanent scars call for more settlement
- Marital status: juries or insurance adjusters will award a higher compensation for someone who is single.
- Gender: women generally get higher payouts than men
You’ll want to make sure you have a plastic surgeon evaluate your scars before your dog bite claim is settled. If you don’t, you might not end up with a large enough settlement to cover the full cost of your treatment.
EXPERIENCED DOG BITE LAWYERS MN
At the Rochlin Law Firm, our dog bite attorneys have more than 25 years’ experience. We represent people throughout MN who have been bitten or attacked by a dog. The primary focus of our MN dog bite lawyers is to make sure that our clients are fully compensated for their injuries, including future medical procedures and pain and suffering. Call us for a free consultation to discuss your case.