How to Protect Your Rights During Dog Bite Settlement Negotiations
A dog attack can be terrifying. Even if it only lasts a few seconds, the pain and fear can make the event seem huge in your memory. Unfortunately, the difficulties are just beginning. There will be medical treatments, therapy sessions, medications, and possibly multiple rounds of surgery. Not to mention the nightmares and potential struggles to restore your ability to perform routine daily tasks.
You deserve compensation for these challenges. Unfortunately, there are going to be people who want to take away your rights to compensation, which will interfere with your right to get back to a normal life after a dog bite. Here are some tips to help you preserve your rights against those who would try to take them away.
Get Professional Care for Wounds and More
One of the most important things you can do to preserve your rights is to see a doctor for your injuries. Whether it was you or your child who was attacked, going to the emergency room, urgent care, or doctor will minimize the risks from your injury. It will determine the true level of injury so you can get proper care and help you avoid the risk of dangerous infections and limit the long-term effects of dog bite injuries.
Seeing the doctor also provides documentation of the attack and your injuries. This documentation will be vital in the future if anyone wants to argue that your injuries weren’t that serious.
It’s also important to get physical and occupational therapy for everyday challenges. Don’t neglect your nonphysical injuries. If you are having trouble getting back to normal life after your dog bite attack, get the care and treatment that you need to help you get as close to normal as possible. Again, therapy for these challenges helps document them.
Don’t Accept Informal Offers of Payment
After a dog bite attack, the owner will often make offers to help pay for your care. Although these may initially seem sincere and generous, it’s rare for dog owners to follow through on these promises.
Instead, it’s more likely to be a strategy to keep you from getting compensation. Depending on the offer, the dog owner might try to argue that you agreed not to sue, or that you had accepted compensation in a different form or amount than you are now seeking.
Don’t Accept Payments
Sometimes, dog owners will come right out and make their offer to pay for injuries seem more valid by offering payment up-front. Again, this may seem generous, but it’s more often an attempt to keep you from filing a lawsuit.
If you do file a lawsuit, the dog owner might argue that you agreed to take the compensation as payment in full for your injuries. In some cases, you might find yourself facing a counter suit alleging that you violated an agreement. This can increase the expense and difficulty of your case. No matter the initial offer, don’t be fooled: it is a fraction of what you are likely entitled to.
Talk to a Lawyer Specializing in Dog Bites
After you get a doctor’s opinion on your dog bite injury, it’s a good time to contact a lawyer specializing in dog bites. A lawyer will be able to give you specific instructions related to your exact situation. These will further help you protect yourself from a dog owner or their insurance company that wants to keep you from getting the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite lawyer understands the likely long-term complications of your dog bite injury. They can help you understand what your injury is probably going to cost you over the course of your life so that you can get yourself the full compensation you deserve. They’ll educate you on the effects that you will want to document because of your dog bite attack
Track the Effects on Your Life
Once you’ve spoken with a lawyer specializing in dog bites, you will have an even better idea of what types of impacts you might experience. Don’t just count on yourself to remember them. Write them down and think about what you might need in the future that you didn’t need before the dog bite attack.
Document the Scene ASAP
Shortly after you talk to a dog bite lawyer – or even before – you should go to the site of the dog bite and take pictures. If you’re too traumatized to do this, have a trusted friend or family member do it for you. It’s important to do this because different aspects of the area can significantly impact your ability to get compensation. For example, the presence of “Beware of Dog” or “No Trespassing” signs on the property where you were bitten could reduce or eliminate your ability to get compensation after your dog bite attack.
If there are new signs up, take pictures of them anyway – you might still be able to demonstrate that they were not there at the time of the accident.
Limit Conversations with Insurance Companies
In addition to the dog owner, their insurance company is likely going to try to get you to abandon your attempt to get compensation or trick you into revealing information that they can use against you.
You will have to give official statements to the police and may be expected to make an official statement to insurers as well. If an insurance company approaches you, don’t speak without your lawyer present. They can help you give a statement that is true and complete without any unnecessary information that could be used against you.
Let Pushchak Law Help
If you or your family member has suffered a serious dog bite attack, it’s important to preserve your rights. Otherwise, it may be hard to get your life back on track. Brian Pushchak is a Denver lawyer specializing in dog bites. He has helped many people to take proper steps after their attack to get their lives back on track. Let him help you, too.
When you work with Mr. Pushchak, you will benefit from his exclusive Informed Decisions™ Approach. This approach starts with him listening to your story, including your goals and hopes for the future. That way, he can design an approach to your dog bite lawsuit that is specific to your needs. He will help you achieve your goals, whether that’s getting a fast settlement to cover current bills or holding out for maximum compensation to ensure you and your family are fully taken care of.
We’ll give you our direct contact information, so you can always reach us with questions or decisions about your lawsuit. You will always remain in charge of your lawsuit, but Mr. Pushchak will put his expertise at your service so you always have all the information you need to make important decisions.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, what you do in the next few hours and days can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Contact Pushchak Law today for guidance in taking the right steps to protect your rights. We serve clients in Denver and the surrounding areas.
- How to Handle Insurance Claims After a Motorcycle Accident - January 9, 2025
- The Importance of Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction Experts in Lawsuits - January 2, 2025
- The Long-Term Consequences of Motorcycle Accidents on Your Health - December 16, 2024
Free Case Consultation
If you have been injured and would like to speak with one of our attorneys, take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultation. And if you have a viable case, there are no fees until we win.
Call 303.372.6145
