All dogs have the potential to attack someone if they are not properly cared for and trained. Injuries from a dog bite may be serious and can cause lasting medical conditions. A victim of a dog attack could suffer from the following:
- Infections
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Rabies
- Pain and suffering
- Future disabilities
As a result, owners may be responsible for paying damages. Some dogs have a history of biting people. This can happen because a dog’s breed may be more aggressive than others, a dog suffered abuse from an owner or because the dog had experienced hardships in life that led them to develop a violent demeanor.
If you want to know if a dog’s history of violence can affect a dog bite claim, you can continue reading:
A history of violence can increase damages
Some states do not consider a dog’s history of violence to affect a settlement offer. Wisconsin does not share the same sentiment. An owner may be liable for paying twice the full amount of damages for a dog bite if the owner knew their dog had attacked someone in the past.
However, the dog must have bitten someone sufficiently enough to break the skin, causing scarring or disfigurement in the past and current cases. This is an important detail in a dog attack case if victims wish to settle on a fair compensation offer.
Regardless of a dog’s history or why you were bitten, legal guidance can help victims explore their compensation and recovery options.
