Who Pays for a Dog Bite Claim?
A dog bite claim is a type of personal injury case that dog owners’ homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy will usually cover. Some dog bite victims are hesitant to file an injury claim against a dog owner since, in many cases, the owner is a friend, neighbor, or relative. However, it is important to know that the losses are typically covered by the dog owner’s insurance policy instead of coming directly out of the owner’s pocket.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bite claims are among the most common types of liability claims on homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies. California has the largest number of dog bite claims in the country.
If the dog owner does not have insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover dog bite injuries, however, you would likely need to file a dog bite lawsuit against the dog owner to pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
A dog’s strong jaws and sharp teeth can cause devastating injuries, especially if the victim is a child. These injuries can cause long-term pain and disability and can leave permanent scars in many cases.
Common dog bite injuries include:
- Broken or punctured skin
- Lacerations
- Fractured or broken bones
- Torn ligaments
- Tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Infections
- Emotional trauma
Average Dog Bite Settlements
A dog bite victim may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses for an initial emergency room visit or hospital stay
- Medical bills for treatment of injuries and long-term scarrings, such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, or cosmetic surgery
- Lost wages for time taken off work during recovery
- Reduced or lost income capacity due to long-term injuries
- Bills for counseling or therapy used to deal with emotional and mental distress caused by the attack
- Pain, suffering, and psychological impact of the attack
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term or permanent scarring or disfigurement caused by the bite
If the dog bite was fatal, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation for wrongful death.
How Our Lawyers Help Dog Bite Victims in Folsom
At The Law Office of Black & DePaoli, PC, our dog bite injury lawyers understand the impact a dog attack can have on your physical and emotional well-being.
When you work with us, we will take the time to make sure you understand your best options for pursuing financial recovery, and then we will work to build the strongest case possible by investigating the circumstances of the incident and gathering evidence to support your case. We’ll negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for the full compensation you’re due, and we’ll also be prepared to take your case to court if that becomes necessary.
Our team is committed to providing caring customer service, straightforward legal advice, and aggressive advocacy for your legal rights. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, we have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims throughout California. We focus exclusively on personal injury clients and never represent insurance companies. When you hire us, you can rest assured that we will handle your case care and skill.
Dog Bite Statistics
Roughly 85 million dogs live in the U.S., with 69 million households having at least one dog. Unfortunately, dog bites are also common in the U.S. Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association indicate the significant health risk that dog bites create for our community:
- Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by a dog.
- Approximately 800,000 receive medical care for dog bites every year.
- Almost 1 in 5 dog bite victims require medical attention.
- Children are the most likely dog bite victims.
