Dog bites can cause significant damage, and they’re a much more common occurrence than most people realize.
Roughly 4.5 million people get bitten every year in this country, and roughly one out of every five victims will be bitten seriously enough to require medical care. Since the cost of that medical care can easily be thousands of dollars and the mental and physical scars from an attack can last forever, it’s only natural to seek fair compensation – but where can that compensation come from?
People often feel guilty about asking for compensation for a dog bite, especially if they know the owner of the dog well (or are related to them). However, it’s not fair for the victim to have to bear all the losses of a dog bite when the owner should have been more careful.
Look to homeowners and renters insurance for payment
Most dog owners don’t have thousands of dollars sitting around to pay a personal injury claim – but they may have insurance.
Both homeowners and renters are usually required to have some form of insurance. For homeowners, it’s a condition of their mortgage loans, while landlords commonly require it of their tenants. That insurance coverage often includes coverage for dog bites.
Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania law forbids insurance companies from restricting coverage by breed, so it doesn’t matter if the dog that bites you is a bulldog or Chihuahua. (However, insurers can refuse to cover a dog if the dog already has a bite history.)
If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite, never assume that there’s no money available to pay the medical bills and that the burden of it all will be on you. Legal guidance can help you explore possible solutions.