Who Pays After You Were Attacked by a Dog?

It’s a nice day outside. You decide to stretch your legs and go for a walk around the neighborhood. As you approach a neighbor’s house, you can hear barking coming from the dog tied to a tree. As soon as you begin to pass the house, the dog breaks free and dashes after you. Before you neighbor is able to gain control over the dog, he attacks you and causes a severe injury to your hand. You go to the emergency room where you learn you need surgery to repair some of the tendons in your hand. Surgery? Who is going to pay for that bill?

It’s a scary situation to think about. Although they can be man’s best friend, not all dogs are friendly. And dog attacks can be a serious injury and can lead to either rabies or tetanus infection. According to the website DogBites.org, about 1,000 Americans seek emergency care after a dog bite each day in the U.S. Between 1982 and 2014, 86 percent of all dog attacks result in a maiming and 76 percent result in a fatality.

If you are attacked by a dog, especially a neighbor’s dog, one of your first concerns after getting medical treatment is how you can afford to pay for the medical bills. According to premises liability law, the property owner where the accident occurred is responsible for the injuries you sustained. But what if you weren’t on the owner’s property? What if you were down the street when the dog bit you? The owner is still responsible. However, the person paying your bill is not the dog owner, but homeowners insurance. Both homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog attack expenses, typically between $100,000 to $300,000. However, if the claim exceeds this limit, then it’s up to the dog owner to pay out of pocket.

If you’ve been attacked by a dog, you may need legal representation to help get compensation for your injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.