When it comes to obtaining compensation after a dog bite, you carry the burden of proof. This means you must show evidence that the dog bit you and that you were subsequently injured as a result. Working with an expert witness with extensive experience testifying in dog bite cases can be a smart move. Here’s how and what our veteran Salem bite lawyers can do to help.
What Is An Expert Witness?
An expert witness is somebody who has sufficient knowledge, experience, or education in a particular subject to be considered highly proficient in that field by a judge or jury. Dog bite cases can be complex and it’s often difficult for juries to understand the serious nature of a victim’s injuries or the long-term impact it will have on their life.
An expert witness with a history of successful testimonies, especially in dog attack cases, can help explain challenging concepts and technical jargon to the court to make it easier to quantify your damages.
Types of Expert Witnesses That Can Benefit Your Dog Bite Case
Depending on your case, there are multiple kinds of expert witnesses that can be a valuable addition to your testimony. In many scenarios, having more than one expert on hand can help prove different elements of your claim. For example, one witness can talk about your injuries while another discusses the economic impact they had on you. Some of the most commonly used witnesses for a dog bite case include:
Medical Experts
A medical doctor with experience treating other dog bite victims can describe how you were hurt and illustrate the gravity of the attack in a way that doesn’t confuse jurors or obfuscate the subject. They can also answer questions about the different types of treatment or therapy you will need and what your long-term prognosis is.
Mental Health Experts
Being attacked by a dog is frightening and it’s not uncommon for victims to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety after the incident. A mental health expert can explain how the situation affects you psychologically and how this might impede your ability to complete daily tasks.
Canine Behavioral Experts
Another type of expert witness that is frequently used in dog bite cases is a canine behavioral expert. They can help assess whether or not the dog had an aggressive nature or if the owner has purposefully trained their dog to be violent or attack other people.
While this has no impact on liability in strict liability states like Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it can help a judge or jury to calculate the amount of damages that should be awarded in your case. For example, a judge is more likely to order punitive damages in cases where the owner was especially negligent or careless in regard to the law or the safety of others.
Financial Experts
When you are attacked by a vicious dog, you have the right to file a claim for compensation for the expenses you incurred. This includes but isn’t limited to past and future hospital bills, time out of work, lost earning capacity, and more. A financial expert or forensic accountant can provide the court with a much more accurate estimate of these monetary losses than yourself or an attorney.
Vocational Experts
If your injuries are severe or debilitating, it’s possible that you may no longer be able to work. Or, you may not be able to do the same type of work anymore and may have to do a different kind of job that doesn’t pay as much. If this happens to you, a vocational expert witness can testify how your injuries have impacted your ability to do your job and other types of work.
They will be able to explain why you cannot become meaningfully employed in terms that are easy to understand, which can give your case more credibility if you are expected to be permanently disabled as a result of the attack.
How Mazow | McCullough, PC Can Help
Getting help after a dog attack is crucial since even minor bites can cause serious infections. Waiting even a day can not only put you at a critical health risk, it could also compromise the success of any future claim you may file. The experienced New Hampshire and Massachusetts dog bite lawyers at Mazow | McCullough, PC are available now to help you get started. Call today by dialing (855) 693-9084 or (978) 744-8000 or fill out our short contact form and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Kevin J. McCullough, Partner
Kevin McCullough is a founding partner of Mazow | McCullough, PC, where he focuses on serious personal injury, wrongful death, and consumer class action litigation. Kevin’s background includes working inside the insurance industry as both an adjuster and defense attorney, giving him deep insight into insurance claims and bad-faith practices. He also served as a prosecutor in the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, where he gained extensive trial experience. Kevin lives in Danvers, Massachusetts, with his wife and five children. Kevin enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with his family.
