Situated one mile above sea level, Denver, the capital of Colorado, is also famous as the “Mile High City.” This green city offers a picturesque view of the mountains, with around 200 peaks visible from the city.
The people of Denver are therefore connected to nature, with many owning fish farms and dogs as pets. However, while they can be domesticated, there is always a risk of dog bites. Approximately 4.5 million dog bites happen in the US annually, of which every fifth requires hospitalization.
If you are the victim of a dog bite in Denver, you don’t need to bear the medical bills. Instead, you can take help from a Denver personal injury law firm to deal with the pet’s owner for compensation for your physical and mental damages.
What Classifies as a Dog Bite Lawsuit
According to the Colorado Dog Bite Revised Statutes, you can file a dog bite case irrespective of anyone’s knowledge of the pet’s violent tendencies. However, you should note that a claim is only possible if:
- You weren’t trespassing on the property.
- The owner’s house was not marked with a “Beware of Dogs” or “No Trespassers” board.
- The dog isn’t a service dog.
- You aren’t a vet, pet groomer, or dog trainer, and you were bitten while performing your duties.
- You did not provoke the dog.
Parameters For Which Compensation Can Be Claimed
Dog bites can cause severe injuries, including broken bones and infections like rabies. But, regardless of severity, such bites incur high medical costs and even affect your mental health.
Filing a lawsuit helps compensate for your monetary losses. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and hardships. You can include the following parameters while claiming damages and seek out legal help after a dog attack :
- Medical bills, including treatment, surgery, and medications.
- Psychological therapy for trauma.
- Lost income due to the inability to go to work.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Travel costs.
How To Extract Maximum Compensation
For the lawsuit, you should be able to present your injuries factually and to the extent they affect your life. Therefore, you must have visual proof to increase your chances of extracting the highest compensation.
1. Take Pictures
Take images of the place where the incident occurred. This could include proving the absence of a “Beware of Dogs” sign. Additionally, you can justify that you were not trespassing.
Additionally, take images of the injuries for visual proof of the damages before getting treatment.
2. Collect Medical Documents
Ensure that the doctor documents your injuries and treatments well. Then, collect all the bills, including hospitalization, treatment, scans, medications, etc. Also included are follow-up appointments, bills for physical and psychological therapy.
3. Note The Details
Collect the dog’s and the owner’s details. You should also collect information from their vet about the dog’s nature.
4. Collect Evidence
Keep taking pictures of your injuries as they heal. In addition, preserve the clothing you wore during the attack as a piece of evidence.
5. Journal The Process
Write down your experience and feelings about the attack and the recovery process. Document how the bite alters your life while you are recovering and what implications it may have in the future.
With the help of these documented proofs, you can give a clear account of your hardships, making the amount calculation easier and more practical.
Conclusion
Dog bites can cause injuries, often requiring hospitalization and medical treatment to prevent infection. Unfortunately, even a simple emergency room visit can cost quite a lot.
However, you can seek compensation for the physical and mental damages that result from the dog bite by filing an injury lawsuit against the owner. If you have proof of the injuries and the total money you spent, it is easier to get a ruling in your favor and get a substantial amount to cover your costs.
