Dog bites can be relatively costly. When an individual’s companion animal becomes aggressive toward other people, the injured parties can sustain significant expenses. Dog bites can cause disfiguring scars that require surgery. They can trigger significant infections. Broken bones, psychological trauma and even brain injuries are possible in a dog bite attack.
In addition to medical expenses, a person injured by the dog could have lost wages to address. Who typically pays for the various expenses generated by an aggressive dog?
Owners are liable in many cases
Dog owners accept a degree of liability when they open their homes to an animal. State statutes create strict liability for animal owners or caretakers if a dog harms a human. Many people feel anxious about seeking compensation, as they know the animal and its owner.
However, the actual compensation for the cost of a dog bite injury frequently do not come from the dog’s owner directly. Instead, compensation frequently comes from a homeowner’s insurance policy.
Premises liability coverage can help pay for the losses sustained when a dog becomes aggressive toward humans. In some cases, it is necessary for the injured party to pursue a lawsuit against the animal’s owner to acquire adequate compensation for their injuries. In many cases, filing a lawsuit leads to a settlement before the matter ever goes to trial.
Understanding dog bite liability rules can help people feel comfortable about filing personal injury lawsuits. Provided that there is appropriate insurance coverage in place, an animal’s owner may be liable, but they may not need to directly pay for the consequences of an animal attack.