Americans love their pets. Recent figures show that dogs are near the top of the list, with nearly 90 million dogs in 47% of the households in the US. And we buy them a lot of food, clothes (yes, clothes), toys, and veterinary care, with the bill totaling about $140 a month. But there is another potential cost that no dog owner wants to consider—the financial ramifications of a dog attack.
In 2018, there were over 17,000 dog bite claims in the U.S. totaling $673 million in claim value. The average settlement from a dog bite claim was $36,000. In Illinois, there were 822 claims totaling $29 million that year, with a $35,553 average cost per claim.
There’s a reason those dollar amounts are so high: a dog that feels stressed or threatened can do a lot of damage quickly. Almost 27,000 people had to undergo reconstructive surgery because of a dog attack, and those days in a hospital have a big price tag. An average bite-related hospital stays in 2018 cost $18,200—about 50% higher than hospitalization for other injuries.
Along with the joy our animals bring us is the responsibility to keep people safe. Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that an owner can’t say that they had no warning that their dog was aggressive in any way, even the first time the dog hurt someone.
Some dog owners might be surprised to know that our homeowner’s or renter’s personal liability insurance is activated when our dogs bite or injure a visitor on our property. Standard renters and home insurance policies come with $100,000 in personal liability. That $100,000 is used first to cover a dog bite settlement, which is on average around $36,000.
However, if a claim exceeds $100,000, the owner or renter can be handed a bill for the remaining balance due on the settlement. If you find yourself in this situation or if you’re facing a dog bite claim in general, you may wish to consult an attorney as you work your way through the investigation and claim process.
Of course, the best course of action is to prevent dog bites altogether. People approaching your dog can help the situation with a few simple steps. The first is to avoid approaching dogs with temerity; instead, be cautious. Treat every encounter as if it is the first with that particular dog, and then ask the owner if it is alright to touch the animal Any such interaction should also be done respectfully and at the animal’s pace, the human waiting until it appears the dog is ready and able to greet the visitor. As the owner, it is best to be overly cautious and insist on this type of approach when allowing strangers near your dog.
It appears as though many are learning to take this advice. The newest statistics available show that overall dog bite claims have decreased throughout the country. One of the largest insurers in the US, State Farm, reports a 9% decrease in claims filed and a 7% decrease in the amount paid to victims.
With the number of pets in this country, both owners and those coming into contact with animals have a duty to act responsibly. Although the instances of dog bite claims are going down, Illinois is still ranked second in the nation for dog bites. An encounter that results in injury can be devastating, so taking precautions to avoid such an incident—and hiring a lawyer if the worst should happen—is highly recommended.
Sources:
https://newsroom.statefarm.com/prevent-dog-bites-claims-decreased-in-2018/
https://www.salvilaw.com/dog-bite-injury/dog-bite-animal-attack-facts-figures/
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=051000050K16
https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/dog-bite-claims-by-state
https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-quick-statistics.php
https://www.chicagoaccidentlawyerblog.com/will-a-normal-dog-bite/#more-878
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/our-community/wellness-blog/complete-list-2020-pet-holidays
