It's estimated that 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. If you have recently been treated for a dog bite, you may be wondering how much money you are entitled to as a result of the attack.

There are several factors that can affect the amount of the settlement you can be awarded after winning a dog bite case. Here are two factors that could affect the financial outcome of your case that you should keep in mind when taking your dog bite case to court.

1. The location of any scarring sustained as a result of the attack.

Many dog bites can leave behind permanent scars. Scarring can have a negative effect on your perceived attractiveness. In today's society, looks can affect the amount of money you generate over the course of your career. 

Research shows that an attractive man can expect to earn 13% more over the course of his career than a less attractive counterpart. If your dog bite scars are located in a visible area (like your face), they could have a negative effect on your perceived attractiveness and future success. The court may choose to award you a higher settlement amount if your scars are disfiguring in order to help offset your potential loss in future earnings.

2. The ongoing effect the attack is having on your psychological well-being.

Becoming the victim of a dog bite can not only scar you physically, but emotionally as well. Many victims of dog bites suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have been replaying the events of your attack in your mind, losing sleep at night, or experienced changes in behavior that make it difficult to sustain lasting relationships, you could be suffering from PTSD.

For some, the symptoms of PTSD are so debilitating that it becomes impossible to hold a steady job or provide daily personal care. If a mental health professional deems that you are battling PTSD as a result of your attack, the court may opt to award you a more substantial settlement amount to help offset the cost of dealing with this condition in the future.

Being awarded money by the court after a dog bite can help you deal with the financial ramifications that often follow an attack. The location of your scarring and the development of PTSD following the attack are each factors that contribute to the amount of your settlement. To learn more, visit a website like http://www.trammellandmills.com.