Dog bite incidents can cause extensive property damage, permanent injuries and also mental trauma. The combination of disfiguring wounds and psychological distress caused by a 2021 dog bite attack eventually led to tragedy.
Attorneys Mark W. Mathys and Colin F. Diamond from Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers were able to secure what may be the largest-ever dog bite settlement awarded in DeKalb County recently. The details of this case highlight the importance of having support when navigating personal injury litigation, including premises liability lawsuits stemming from dog bite attacks.
How a simple delivery turned tragic
Delivering packages can be a risky profession. Delivery drivers work long hours. They spend time in traffic, putting them at risk of collisions. They also face the risk of unsafe property conditions, aggressive humans and overprotective animals as they physically deliver packages.
A 25-year-old female Amazon delivery driver sustained significant injuries during a delivery gone wrong in April of 2021. Two Dutch Shepherd dogs burst through the screen door of the home during the delivery. The vicious assault that followed caused major damage to the delivery driver’s legs. She had to crawl past the electric fence to escape the animals, but by that point, the damage was already done.
The physical and emotional consequences of her catastrophic injuries culminated in her suicide on September 3rd, 2022. The delivery driver in question was a young and ambitious professional pursuing a career in modeling. She had previously appeared in a music video and received interest from modeling agencies. The injuries sustained during the attack effectively derailed her career and created mental health challenges that she had not previously experienced.
The legal ramifications of negligence
Efforts to hold the dogs’ owners accountable uncovered two prior dog bite attacks involving the same animals. DeKalb County Animal Control had previously declared the Dutch Shepherd dogs dangerous animals. This egregious lack of concern for safety led to the courts allowing a request for punitive damages during the lawsuit.
The attorneys for the plaintiff sought compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and funds deposited for a modeling conference in Los Angeles. The court ruling resulted in the payment of the full policy limits for both homeowners and umbrella insurance coverage. The settlement may be the highest ever in DeKalb County for a dog bite incident.
People traumatized by dog bite attacks or the loss of a loved one deserve justice. Optimizing financial recovery by carefully reviewing the situation with a skilled legal team and taking appropriate legal action can diminish the harm people must weather because of an encounter with a vicious animal. A successful premises liability lawsuit also creates consequences for those who endanger others. The right support can make all the difference for those seeking justice and financial compensation after companion animals become aggressive.