You only need to prove that you were lawfully on public land or a private place when the attack took place. You must also show that the defendant is the dog’s owner or was the one in control of the dog at the time of the attack. However, defendants have some possible defenses in some circumstances.

If you openly provoked the dog, were trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time, or were committing a criminal act, you may not be entitled to any compensation for your injuries.

You deserve to be compensated for your injuries as well as the future treatment you may need. Potential compensation that you may be eligible to receive in a dog bite case include:

• Medical expenses to date, including initial emergency room treatment, hospitalizations

• Vaccines needed to prevent any animal-related diseases

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Lost wages and future loss of earnings

• Costs to see out-of-network providers, such as a cosmetic surgeon

Future treatment, including cosmetic surgery to minimize scarring or repair damage

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Disfigurement or disability

• Loss of consortium.

Damages in a dog bite case can be extremely high in some instances. Infections and residual scarring are common with dog bites, which means you may need future treatment. Despite what the defendant’s insurance company might lead you to believe, you are entitled to reimbursement for future medical treatment, such as scar revision surgery.

Those victims who are left with permanent damage and scarring would have the right to ask for higher pain and suffering compensation as well.