DOG BITES
More than 4.7 million people suffer from dog bites and dog attacks per year. About 800,000 injuries require medical attention. Close to 20 people die each year because of injuries sustained from a dog bite during a dog attack, and many other victims suffer from long-term disabilities. The stories of adults and children viciously being mauled have prompted much discussion concerning the liability of dog owners. One of the most disturbing aspects of some of the attacks is what seems to be an apathetic attitude by the owners. Some owners have even trained their dogs to be viscous but failed to take steps to protect the innocent public.
A dog bite personal injury lawyer can help you with your claim if you have been attacked or bitten by a dog. For the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, close to 15,000 dog bite claims per year were settled by insurance companies according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Dog Owner Liability
Dog owners face liability for personal injuries that their pets cause if the pet owner was aware and knew that the dog has the potential to cause a dog bite injury. The owner can also contribute to the injury if they were unreasonably careless.
The 3 types of law that create liability for dog owners are:
- A dog-bite statute: where the dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes without provocation.
- The one-bite rule: where the dog owner is responsible for an injury caused by a dog if the owner knew the dog was likely to cause that type of injury-in this case, the victim must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
- Negligence laws: where the dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.
Dog Bites Articles and Information
Dog-Bite-Related
Fatalities -- United States, 1995-1996
From 1979 through
1994, attacks by dogs resulted in 279 deaths of humans in the United States. Such
attacks have prompted widespread review of existing local and state dangerous-dog
laws, including proposals for adoption of breed-specific restrictions to prevent
such episodes. Dog Bite Fatalities
Hospitalizations
for Dog Bite Injuries
The human suffering related to the 17
deaths, nearly 6000 hospitalizations, and more than 330,000 ED visits a year and
the associated economic impacts justify further efforts to prevent dog bites.
Dog Bite Hospitalization
Dog Bite Statistics
During 1997 and 1998, at least 27 people died of dog bite attacks
(18 in 1997 and 9 in 1998). At least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in
238 human DBRF
during the past 20 years. Dog Bite Statistics
Dog bite injury lawyers: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
