How Long Does It Take for a Dog Bite Settlement?
Nobody wants to wait too long to get the compensation they deserve after a dog attack. If you were bitten by a dog, you may be stuck with medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages. As days go by, you may wake up and go to bed with only one question in your mind, “When will I finally get my compensation?”
In a few situations, it is possible to receive the settlement money to get life back on track within weeks or months after the attack. For most people, however, it’s more realistic to expect a settlement within a several months, a year or even or longer. But why do some people get compensation sooner than others? That’s because every dog bite case is unique and various factors dictate whether your case will go quickly or slowly.
At Ronald S. Weiss, Attorney, we understand the financial concerns people face when they suffer injuries. It’s not fair that you should be left paying the costs out of your pocket or dipping into your savings just to get the treatment you need and make both ends meet. Our dog bite lawyer serving Michigan and Ohio works diligently to ensure his clients get the full compensation they deserve as soon as possible.
What Is the Average Amount of Time to Settle a Dog Bite Case?
It’s impossible to say how long the average dog bite settlement takes because most settlements are private and never publicly disclosed. However, from what we’ve seen in our experience handling dog bite cases, it can take anywhere from a few months to several months or even longer before the injured victim gets their compensation. Personal injury cases that settle within shorter times usually require cooperation of all parties and no disputes over the degree of liability or damages.
When dog bite cases play out for longer times, it can put immense stress on the injured victim and their family. At Ronald S. Weiss, Attorney, we strive to do whatever is in our power to expedite the resolution of clients’ cases while helping clients seek the maximum compensation to which they are entitled. While we often aim to settle cases out of court, sometimes it’s necessary to go to court to get adequate compensation. Court cases typically take much longer as we are subject to the court's schedule.
In addition to the issue of whether a case has to go to court, in most dog bite cases, you want the wounds to mature, so that we know the extent of the injury and the likelihood that it will heal. It can certainly add value to a case when the wounds are permanent in nature, and the maturation of a scar typically takes several months. There are many factors to drive both the value of a case and the amount of time it takes to secure that resolution.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Dog Bite Settlement?
Generally, it takes anywhere from a few months or longer to settle a dog bite case. Sometimes, the dog owner or their insurance company may be willing to resolve the matter quickly. The acceptance of the offer brings the case to an end so that everyone can move forward and forget about the incident as if it was a bad dream. Some cases, however, may go all the way to trial, though it’s a rather rare outcome for dog bite cases. Also, many of our serious cases involve minors, and that often leads to other rules that can require court approval.
In most cases, several factors can affect how long it will take for you to get your settlement after a dog bite. These factors include:
The level of cooperation the dog owner extends;
The severity of your injuries (generally, the more serious the injury, the longer it takes to settle);
The time it takes to reach maximum medical improvement (the sooner you reach this point, the sooner you’ll know the extent to which you are impaired and what your damages are);
The extent to which the dog owner was liable (in Michigan and Ohio, dog owners are automatically legally responsible for injuries caused to victims under the “strict liability” rule);
Whether you were partially at fault for the incident (lesser of a concern in strict liability states like Michigan and Ohio, but still a discussion); and
Whether the dog owner has adequate insurance to fully cover your expenses.
The sooner you settle your claim, the sooner you will be able to put the incident behind you and move forward with your life without worrying about financial hurdles. We fully understand your eagerness to settle quickly, but “sooner” doesn’t always mean “better.” Before you accept the settlement, you need to make sure the amount offered is fair as you won’t be able to ask for additional compensation if you incur any unforeseeable expenses in the future.
Let Us Help You Get an Efficient and Fair Settlement
Were you bitten by a dog and are now stuck with medical bills piling up and no way to pay them? You should have never been put in the position you are in right now in the first place. But, unfortunately, you cannot undo the past. The only thing you can do now is pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. As if your life wasn’t hard enough, your struggles may be amplified by the fact that it’s been months and you haven’t received the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
At Ronald S. Weiss, Attorney, we can assist you with pursuing a fair settlement so you can get your life back on track as soon as possible. Our law firm is located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Toledo, Ohio, but we handle cases throughout both states. Schedule your free case evaluation today to discuss how we can help.