The average dog bite settlement amount in Connecticut varies widely, due to the significant variations in dog bite injury types and severity.
Many factors can affect your dog bite settlement in Connecticut, but our dog bite lawyers can take steps to seek the maximum possible payout. Our firm offers free legal consultations to help you understand the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.
What Factors Affect My Dog Bite Settlement Amount in Connecticut?
When you are injured by a dog, you can experience significant physical and emotional trauma. Dog bite injuries range from scrapes, cuts, and bruises to puncture wounds, soft tissue damage, broken bones, and even crushing injuries. Complications can make the healing process longer and more traumatic. Even with prompt medical attention, dog bite victims may experience:
- Compartment syndrome
- Loss of digit or limb
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage and loss of mobility
The more severe your injuries are, the higher the associated settlement will typically be. This is largely because more serious injuries require longer, more intensive medical care. Severe injuries are also more likely to cause long-term issues that affect your professional and personal life.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Connecticut Dog Attack?
A dog bite claim aims to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you sustained in the animal attack. Damages vary by injury, and may include:
- Emergency transportation and critical care
- Hospitalization and treatments
- Rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery
- Medication, medical supplies, and assistive devices
- Diminished quality of life
- Missed work and lost future income
- Emotional and mental distress
- Physical and psychological therapy
It is normal to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental challenges following a dog bite. Physical and psychological effects of a dog attack can prevent you from going places or engaging in activities you once enjoyed.
You have a right to seek compensation for all the ways the dog attack affects your quality of life. Our team of Personal injury attorneys in Connecticut can help establish the full extent of your losses and help you recover the maximum possible settlement.
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Connecticut?
When you are bitten by a dog in Connecticut, the owner or keeper is usually liable for any injuries and associated damages, per CT Gen Stat § 22-357. State law does place some limitations on liability for dog attacks if the injured person was:
- Abusing, teasing, or tormenting the dog
- Trespassing
- Otherwise acting illegally
These exceptions do not apply to minors under the age of 7. Victims who suffer from dog bite injuries can hold the owner or keeper of the dog liable for damages through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. A Connecticut dog bite lawyer can help you navigate the state’s complex dog bite laws.
Who Pays the Settlement for a Connecticut Dog Bite?
Most dog bite claims go through a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy carried by the dog’s owner. If the incident occurred in a vehicle, you may also be able to seek compensation through the owner’s car insurance.
If the dog’s owner does not have insurance or your damages exceed policy limits, the owner is responsible for covering the remaining losses. You may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the owner and their insurer to recover fair damages. Insurers are notorious for fighting or denying claims, so you benefit from working with a dog bite attorney familiar with such cases.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?
Per CT Gen Stat § 52-577, dog bite victims have three years from the date of injury to file a claim. Insurance claims often have much quicker filing deadlines. An insurance company may not accept a claim if you do not seek prompt medical attention, so the sooner you file a claim, the better. Additionally, you may have less time to file a lawsuit if your case involves a landlord, third-party, or government entity.
If you miss legal and insurance deadlines, you may be unable to secure compensation for your dog bite injuries. Our legal team is familiar with the filing deadlines and requirements associated with dog bites in Connecticut. We can help you navigate your next steps following a dog bite and make sure your case meets applicable legal deadlines.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Maximize My Dog Bite Settlement Value?
It is your choice whether to hire an attorney to represent you in your dog bite claim. However, you benefit from working with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling dog bite cases. A lawyer can take care of the legal work and make sure you meet all requirements for evidence, paperwork, and legal filings.
An attorney also knows how to build a compelling case to prove the owner’s fault and establish liability. They are familiar with insurance companies’ tactics to reduce settlements and will fight to maximize your settlement value.
Contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC for a Free Consultation With a Connecticut Dog Bite Attorney
Our dog bite lawyers understand the different ways a dog bite affects you physically, psychologically, and financially. With extensive knowledge and experience in dog bite cases, Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s attorneys will fight for your right to a fair settlement while you take the time you need to heal.
We will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront fees for our assistance. We only recover attorneys’ fees if we win a final settlement or verdict in your favor.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has helped injury victims recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Our team knows how to battle stubborn insurers and maximize your dog bite settlement. Contact our office today for your free consultation with a dog bite attorney in Connecticut.
