How Much Is a Dog Bite Case Worth in Virginia?

Virginia is considered a “one-bite” state, which means that a dog’s owner is not automatically liable for every bite incident. While “strict liability” states make owners responsible for the harm caused by their animals even if there was no prior history of aggression, Virginia law holds owners accountable if they are negligent or if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous.

According to Virginia Code § 3.2-6540,  a dangerous dog is one that has already caused serious injury to a person. Serious injuries are defined as causing issues like lacerations, substantial skin puncture by teeth, or broken bones. If a dog kills or causes serious injury to a companion animal, the dog can also be considered a dangerous one. 

Because of these laws, it is important that you work with an experienced Arlington dog bite accident lawyer who can provide you with guidance and support in proving who was to blame for the animal attack.

The Arlington personal injury lawyers at Monge & Associates have been representing victims for decades and have recovered more than $1 billion for injured Virginians since 1993. Our team will help you gather evidence and prove your claim so you can maximize your compensation. Give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation and to learn more about how we can help, or read on to learn how much a dog bite case is likely to be worth in Arlington. 

How Much Is A Dog Bite Case Worth in Virginia?

The value of a dog bite injury case can vary dramatically from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars when a dog causes a death or life-altering injuries.

You should be made whole or fully compensated for losses caused by the bite incident, so the value of your case is determined both based on the strength of your claim and the actual damages that you suffered. You should be paid for:

• Medical bills: This includes past and future care costs, including for treatment like reconstructive surgery.
• Lost wages: This includes payment for sick days and vacation days as well as workdays you missed.
• Loss of future earning potential: This includes money you can no longer earn due to impairments.
• Pain and suffering: You should be paid for physical pain and diminished quality of life.
• Emotional distress: Dog attacks can cause PTSD, anxiety, and other emotional harm you should be compensated for.

Monge & Associates will help you to understand how much compensation you should collect so you don’t leave money on the table when negotiating a settlement with the defendant or their insurer. 

Tips for Maximizing Your Compensation

The stronger your claim, and the more serious you can prove your injuries, the greater the compensation you are likely to collect. You can maximize your chances of being fully and fairly compensated by:

• Working with an attorney experienced in dog bite claims
• Bringing in expert witnesses like vocational experts who can testify about how your earnings will be impacted
• Building a solid claim so the insurer is more likely to offer a fair settlement. This can mean interviewing witnesses, getting security camera footage, obtaining vet records, and more
• Documenting your damages by recording missed work, keeping a pain diary, tracking days off, and documenting limitations caused by your injuries 

Monge & Associates will help you to take all of these steps so you can build the strongest possible case.

Contact an Arlington Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

An Arlington dog bite injury lawyer is here and ready to fight for you, so call today to schedule your free consultation with the dedicated legal team at Monge & Associates.