Settlement amounts usually depend on the facts in the case, the strength of any insurance company defenses, and some non-legal factors.
Medical bills are usually the largest single component of a dog bite settlement. Additionally, there’s usually a direct relationship between the amount of medical bills and the victim’s pain and suffering. To determine noneconomic losses, most Bloomington, MN, dog bite injury lawyers multiply the medical bills by two, three, or four.
We mentioned the provocation defense above. In negligence claims, other defenses are available as well, such as comparative fault and assumption of the risk. Comparative fault is essentially provocation, but it’s slightly easier for insurance company lawyer to prove. Assumption of the risk usually hinges on a warning sign, like “Beware of Dog.”
Motivation to settle may be the most important non-legal factor. If a victim wants to settle a case quickly, a Bloomington, MN, they and their dog bite injury lawyer might accept a lower offer.