The average payout for a dog bite settlement nationally hovers around the $50,000 mark. However, many factors go into a dog bite settlement or liability. In 2019, 48 fatalities occurred in the United States as a result of dog bites. These fatalities would result in a wrongful death claim with an expected settlement significantly higher than average.
California led the nation here with 9 fatalities from dog bites in 2019. In 2020, liability claims from dog bites or dog-related injuries cost homeowners $854 million. California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite claims. That means that the law holds California dog owners liable for dog bites, whether they knew their dog was capable of a bite or not.
If a dog in California has injured you, you need a personal injury attorney that will fight for you to get the highest settlement possible. Contact Arash Law today to book a free consultation and learn more about California dog bite law.
Average Payout for Canine Attacks in the U.S.
Dog bite claims that lead to personal injury lawsuits cost America hundreds of millions annually. California also ranks number one in dog bite settlements, with an average settlement for a dog bite case at $51 thousand.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, these are the numbers of average payouts for a dog bite in the top 10 states in America for 2019:
- California – Average dog bite payout $51,264.6 over 2,396 claims totaling $122.83 million
- Florida – Average dog bite payout $53,603.49 over 1,268 claims totaling $67.97 million
- Texas – Average dog bite payout $40,853.70 over 937 claims totaling $38.38 million
- New York – Average dog bite payout $55,800,71 over 893 claims totaling $49.83 million
- Illinois – Average dog bite payout $48,098.32 over 854 claims totaling $41.08 million
- Pennsylvania – Average dog bite payout $35,561.98 over 807 claims totaling $28.70 million
- Ohio – Average dog bite payout $31,779.36 over 764 claims totaling $24.28 million
- Michigan – Average dog bite payout $42,832.83 over 740 claims totaling $31.70 million
- New Jersey – Average dog bite payout $47,868.74 over 699 claims totaling $33.46 million
- Georgia – Average dog bite payout $47,969.24 over 497 claims totaling $23.84 million
Americans all over the country are receiving compensation for dog bite injuries. In California, if a dog has bitten you, somebody is responsible. Somebody must pay. When you work with us, you won’t have to pay until we win for you. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Arash Law for a free consultation on this case.
California Dog Bite Law
California law applies strict liability to dog bites, which means that dog owners are liable when their dogs bite others regardless of whether they had reason to believe their dog was vicious. Where many states have caps on punitive damages and compensatory damages on dog bites, California does not. That means that you could get more than the average settlement for a dog bite claim in a personal injury lawsuit or claim.
Civil Claims
The California Civil Code 3342 a. stipulates that, “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place….regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” Dog owners can not elude liability when their dog bites you.
Criminal Penalties
In some cases, criminal penalties could occur. One 2002 California dog attack case led to two lawyers being charged and convicted on murder-related charges after their Presa Canario dogs killed a neighbor.
The wife received a second-degree murder conviction and the husband an involuntary manslaughter conviction. It was the third case of its kind in the history of the United States.
Statute of Limitations
If you are filing a California personal injury lawsuit after a dog bite, California Code of Civil Procedure 340 stipulates that you have two years from the date of the incident to do so.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Dog Bite Case?
In California, the damages that you suffer are the damages that you should get paid. If you survive a dog bite or attack, it can ruin your life for a little while. Many dog bite victims don’t realize just how much you can get in California when you are bitten by a dog.
Dog owners do know this when you don’t! You should obtain compensation for medical costs, lost wages, or any damages that you have suffered that you wouldn’t have suffered if a dog didn’t bite you.
The following damages are the start of what you can claim when you have been bitten or attacked by a dog:
- Medical costs that are occurring now or are reasonably anticipated in the future
- Deductibles on health insurance
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential if you are unable to go back to work right away
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium for you and your family, if you or any family members lose affection or companionship after a dog bite or fatality
- Wrongful death
It is important to note that when you have accepted a settlement offer from the dog owner, the case is effectively over. You will not be able to sue them again or for more damages. Do not talk money or settlements with a dog owner when a dog has bitten you until you have spoken with a personal injury attorney. Your California dog bite attorney can handle those conversations for you and fight for what you deserve. That is what we do!
In California, if a dog has bitten you, there are several potential damages you could suffer. At Arash Law, we want you to get the highest settlement that you deserve. Contact California’s best injury lawyers or book a consultation online for a free review of your dog bite case. You don’t have to suffer through this or fight for this alone.
Monetary Factors that Impact California Dog Bite Settlements
Several factors go into the average payouts for dog bites.
- Degree of personal injury and medical costs — People can die from a dog bite and even complications from a dog bite. Infection rates are high, and you might suffer more than you expect after a bite. Plastic surgery isn’t uncommon, and brain surgery after traumatic brain injury can happen. The average hospital stay for a dog bite is longer than many personal injuries and can cost over $18 thousand.
- Long-term harm – Dog bites can break bones in ways that the average slip and fall can not. They can also lead to long-term or permanent muscle or tissue damage that impairs your ability to work for life. Long-term harm damages can also include compensation for significant pain and suffering.
- Insurance policies – The amount of insurance that the dog owner may be a factor in how much compensation you recover. However, that does not mean that a court cannot award you more than the owner’s insurance.
You will need help navigating these discussions when a dog has bitten you. Contact California’s best personal injury lawyers at Arash Law to book a free consultation of your dog bite case. We will fight for you to ensure all factors in your life are considered to get the highest settlement that you deserve.
Call Us Today to Speak with an Experienced California Dog Bite Lawyer
At Arash Law, we see dog bite victims all the time. California ranks the highest in the country when it comes to dog bite settlements. Contact Arash Law to schedule a free consultation or book an appointment today. At Arash Law, we review your case for free and only collect legal fees if we win your case. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. We have collected over 500 million dollars for clients across the state.
