In addition to physical harm, dog bites often leave victims with deep emotional wounds. Many people experience anxiety, fear, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a dog attack, especially if the incident was particularly violent or the victim was a child.
We understand the lasting emotional and psychological impact of dog bites, and we’re dedicated to helping victims recover compensation for their emotional trauma. Let us help you secure the resources you need to heal emotionally and move forward.
What Is Emotional Trauma and PTSD in Dog Bite Cases?
Understanding the Psychological Effects of Dog Attacks
Dog bite victims, especially children, may experience significant emotional trauma or develop PTSD due to the attack. These psychological effects can be as debilitating as physical injuries, affecting daily life and overall well-being. Symptoms of emotional trauma and PTSD may include:
- Fear and Anxiety: Victims may develop an intense fear of dogs or experience anxiety about going outside or encountering animals.
- Flashbacks and Nightmares: Victims may relive the attack through flashbacks or nightmares, leading to disrupted sleep and heightened stress levels.
- Avoidance of Certain Places or Situations: Victims may avoid places where the attack occurred or areas with animals, limiting their ability to carry on with normal activities.
- Emotional Distress or Mood Swings: Emotional instability, such as sadness, anger, or irritability, is common after a traumatic event like a dog attack.
- Difficulty Concentrating or Performing Daily Tasks: Victims may struggle with concentration or carrying out daily tasks, especially if they are constantly preoccupied with memories of the attack.
These symptoms can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, and seeking compensation can help cover therapy, counseling, and other treatments for these emotional injuries. life, and seeking compensation can help cover therapy, counseling, and other treatment for these emotional injuries.
How We Can Help You Recover Compensation for Emotional Trauma and PTSD
Our Legal Experts Will Fight for the Full Scope of Your Recovery
We have extensive experience holding negligent dog owners accountable for the harm they cause. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries and that the negligent dog owner is held responsible. Here’s how we help:
- Investigate the Incident: We will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and any documentation of previous incidents involving the dog.
- Determine Negligence: Our team will analyze the facts of the case to establish how the dog owner’s actions (or lack of action) constituted negligence.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: We’ll handle all negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Litigate if Necessary: If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court to ensure that justice is served.
Our goal is to make the legal process as smooth as possible while fighting for the compensation you deserve..
Signs You May Be Entitled to Emotional Trauma Compensation
How to Know if You’re Eligible to File a Negligence Claim
- The Dog Was Not Properly Restrained: If the dog was not properly restrained, for instance, being off-leash in an area with leash laws, or if the dog had a known history of aggression and the owner did not take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk, you may qualify for compensation for emotional trauma. Additionally, violations of local leash laws or other animal control regulations can support your claim by demonstrating the owner’s negligence.
- The Dog Had a History of Aggression: If the dog had previously bitten someone or shown aggressive behavior, and the owner failed to take action, you may be able to hold the owner responsible.
- Local Laws Were Violated: Violations of local leash laws or other animal control regulations by the dog owner can support your negligence claim by demonstrating that the owner failed to comply with legal requirements designed to protect public safety.
- You Were Lawfully on the Property: If you were a guest, visitor, or worker on the dog owner’s property and were bitten without being warned about the dog’s behavior, the owner could be liable.
If these factors apply to your situation, it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Compensation for Emotional Trauma and PTSD
What Compensation Can You Receive for Emotional Injuries?
Compensation for emotional trauma and PTSD in dog bite cases may cover a wide range of damages, including:
- Therapy and Counseling Costs: You may be entitled to compensation for sessions with a psychologist, therapist, or counselor to help you recover from emotional trauma and PTSD.
- Medication Costs: If you need medication to manage anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms, these expenses can be included in your claim.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation may be awarded if your emotional trauma has severely affected your ability to enjoy daily activities, relationships, or your overall quality of life.
- Lost Wages or Reduced Earning Capacity: If your emotional trauma or PTSD affects your ability to work or reduces your earning potential, you may be eligible for compensation for lost income or diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional and psychological suffering can be included as part of your pain and suffering damages in a dog bite case.
Our goal is to ensure that every aspect of your emotional recovery is fully compensated, so you can focus on healing without financial stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Emotional Trauma and PTSD Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
How do I prove emotional trauma or PTSD in a dog bite case?
Proving emotional trauma or PTSD in a dog bite case requires evidence like medical records, psychological evaluations, and treatment histories. Testimony from mental health professionals, such as psychologists or therapists, can further substantiate the severity of the psychological impact. In California, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog under Civil Code Section 3342, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior, but proving emotional trauma requires demonstrating the severity of the psychological impact through evidence.
How long do I have to file a negligence claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including claims for emotional trauma related to dog bites, is generally two years from the date of the incident. It is important to begin the claims process as early as possible to gather the necessary evidence and ensure all legal deadlines are met. If the injured party is a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended until two years after the minor reaches the age of 18.
Can I still file a claim if the owner says the bite was my fault?
California’s comparative fault system allows for compensation even if the victim shares some responsibility for the incident. In such cases, the compensation may be reduced according to the victim’s percentage of fault. Our team will work to demonstrate that the dog owner’s negligence significantly contributed to the attack. Our team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances to build a strong case showing that the dog’s behavior was unreasonable and that the owner’s negligence contributed to the attack.