If A Dog Bite Claim is Not Settled With Insurance, the Recourse Would be to File a Lawsuit

Interviewer: Is a dog bite claim always going to go to a jury court?

Richard Sailer: If the claim is either denied for whatever reason, or the insurance company fails to put adequate value on the case, then the recourse would be to file a lawsuit and let the jury decide what the case is worth.

 

The Insurance Companies Seek to Minimize the Damages Awarded in a Dog Bite Claim

Interviewer: What’s the perspective of the insurance company? What are they trying to do?

Richard Sailer: They’re trying to minimize the damages.  It becomes more of a dispute as to what the damages are or what course of treatment the client underwent.  Unfortunately, it is typically not a matter of whether or not it happened; it’s more of a matter of what’s the value.

 

It is Not Advisable to Inform the Insurance of the Specific Diagnoses or Treatment

Interviewer: What should I do if an insurance company calls me asks for the specifics of my case?

Richard Sailer: It depends on what questions they’re asking you.  If they’re asking your name and your address and your telephone number, I don’t see a problem in that. However, I typically advise people to not get into the particulars of how the incident occurred. Additionally, I tell clients to not get into it with the insurance company as to what their specific diagnoses is, their specific treatment, or any pain or any of their medical complaints because they’re neither doctors nor lawyers, and to leave that part for the experts.

 

The Qualities to Look for When Retaining an Attorney for a Dog Bite Case

Interviewer: What are some qualities in an attorney that someone should be looking out for?  At the same time, what are some red flags too?

Richard Sailer: With any personal injury case, any attorney will want it even if they may not necessarily be a personal injury specialist.  Everybody sees dollar signs and they may be inclined to take the case even though they don’t have the resources, expertise, or infrastructure to handle the case. In order for the client to get the best representation, they should hire somebody who is experienced in representing victims, who has several personal injury case experiences, and who dedicates their practice to the victim.

 

There are No Guaranteed Outcomes in a Personal Injury Case

Interviewer: Are there any key words like a guarantee? Is there any guarantee in a situation like that?

Richard Sailer: I can guarantee that I’ll do my best to get you some compensation. Aside from that guarantee, I think that you’re doing a disservice to make any promises because there are so many variables that could come into play— so many unforeseen facts and circumstances that it’ll be a misrepresentation to make any type of a guarantee.