Man's best friend can be man's worst enemy. Statistics show dog attacks have accounted for more than 300 dog-bite related deaths in the United States from the period of 1979 through 1996. Most of these victims were children. And someone seeks medical attention every forty seconds because of this bites.
There are 800,000 approximate bites encountered every year in the US that needs medical treatment and again most of the victims are children. Almost $165 million is spent treating dog bites and 70% of dog bites occur on the owner's property.
In most cases like this, the dog's owner is required to pay for the damages caused by his pet's attack. However, there may be times when the dog's "keeper" may be held liable at the time of the attack.
The landlord too may have culpability for an attack of his tenant's dog in limited circumstances.
The medical expenses that will be incurred due to dog bites is very high particularly with regards to scarring injuries. Scars can be a serious, life-long result of a dog bite.
Children, because of their size, are particularly susceptible to bites around the head and face. Scarring injuries not only cause physical problems, but can also cause long term emotional trauma, requiring a significant amount of psychological counseling.
The liabilities that are to be shouldered by owner (or in some cases, the keeper or landlord) due to the animal's bite will include all past and future medical expenses.
All past lost wages as well as future loss of earning capacity. Also, past and future pain and mental suffering of the victim will have to be compensated by the animal's owner. Property damages and damages for all scarring are also included.
Dog bites are a common form of injury which can have serious outcomes that include permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma.
It may even result to death. Precautions need to be undertaken since even the gentlest of dogs are known to bite without warning.
A dog bite victim may incur many different kinds of damages and losses, from medical bills and emotional damage, to loss of the opportunity to earn income in the future because of disfigurement.
A victim may be entitled to recover these losses from another person and that person's insurance company, provided that the victim presents the necessary proof, first to the insurance company and then possibly in a court of law.
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By: Paul Hood
