To succeed, you typically must prove four key elements. First, the product had a defect (in manufacturing, design, or warnings). Second, the defect existed when it left the defendant’s control. Third, you used the product in a reasonably foreseeable way. Fourth, the defect directly caused your injury. You do not need to prove the company was negligent, only that the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous. This “strict liability” focus is on the product’s condition, not the manufacturer’s conduct.

You can seek money for two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover concrete financial losses like medical bills, lost wages from missing work, vehicle repair costs, and any future care you need. Non-economic damages compensate for intangible harms like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party. The total value depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the clarity of fault.

This common defense is often irrelevant. Many states have “strict liability” laws where the owner is responsible for a bite even if the dog had no prior vicious history. In other states, you can still prove the owner was negligent—for example, by violating a leash law or failing to control their pet in a situation where any reasonable owner would have. The focus is on the owner’s duty of care at the time of the incident, not solely the dog’s past.