Dog Bite Lawsuits Account for Third of Homeowner Insurance Liability Claims

According to new data from insurance experts, liability costs associated with dog bite lawsuits were $412 million in 2009, a 6.4 percent increase from the previous year. 

A dog bite report issued last month by the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) found that more than one-third of all homeowner insurance liability claims were due to dog bites. The report’s findings indicate that in 2009, the cost of such claims increased for the fifth year in a row.

I.I.I. found that the average cost of a dog bite claim was $24,840 in 2009, up from $24,461 on average the year before. The increase continues an upward trend that has seen the costs of dog bite lawsuits rise 30% since 2003. The number of claims shot up 4.8% between 2008 and 2009 as well, from 15,823 to 16,586.

Did You Know?

Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled

Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.

Learn More

Insurance coverage for dog bites can provide compensation for injuries associated with an animal attack, such as medical bills, lost wages, scarring and pain and suffering. The I.I.I.’s report deals only with insurance claims from dog bites, however, many dog owners do not carry insurance coverage, especially in urban areas with higher numbers of rental properties, leaving victims without any source of compensation for irresponsible dog owners’ negligence.

Approximately 4.5 million dog attacks occur annually in the United States, but the majority of these incidents are not reported to local authorities. Mail carriers and delivery people are at a particular risk for animal attacks, with the U.S. Postal Service reporting that employees were injured in 3,423 dog attacks and bites in 2003.

The I.I.I. recommended that the best way to avoid claims was to take steps to prevent your dog from biting someone. A number of preventative steps have been outlined for dog owners by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

  • Dog owners should consult with a professional, such as a veterinarian or animal behaviorist, on suitable breeds of dog for your home and neighborhood.
  • Prospective owners should spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it and should avoid bringing aggressive dogs into homes with infants or toddlers.
  • Have your dog spayed or neutered.
  • Prevent children from disturbing a dog that is eating or sleeping, and never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
  • Socialize your dog so that it knows how to behave around other people and animals, and avoid exposing your dog to new situations where you are unsure of its response.
  • Play non-aggressive games with your dog, like fetching a ball, as opposed to games that raise its aggressive behavior, like “tug-of-war.”

0 Comments

"*" indicates required fields

Share Your Comments

I authorize the above comments be posted on this page*

Have Your Comments Reviewed by a Lawyer

Provide additional contact information if you want an attorney to review your comments and contact you about a potential case. This information will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

More Top Stories

Suboxone Settlements Failed to Compensate Users Left With Tooth Decay or Tooth loss
Suboxone Settlements Failed to Compensate Users Left With Tooth Decay or Tooth loss (Posted today)

Although Suboxone settlements have been paid to resolve antitrust violations, users who suffered damages due to tooth decay from Suboxone film must pursue individual product liability lawsuits

Bard 3DMax Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Set for Trial To Begin in April 2024
Bard 3DMax Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Set for Trial To Begin in April 2024 (Posted yesterday)

With thousands of Bard hernia mesh lawsuits pending in the federal court system, a fourth bellwether trial will be held in the spring, involving allegations that defects with Bard 3DMax caused painful and permanent injuries.