When it comes to claims of dog bites and claims paid out for their injuries, California ranks number one.
That is based on data from State Farm, which designated the Golden State as the top state for dog bite claims in 2018. According to the insurance agency, there were 409 dog bite claims in California in 2018. That translated into $18.6 million being paid for those claims.
That is significantly higher than the 288 dog bite claims from Illinois, which ranks second for states with the most dog bite claims. State Farm says it paid $10.3 million for the dog bite claims in Illinois.
Other states that rank within the top 10 for dog bite claims in 2018 include Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, New York and Minnesota. Collectively, State Farm said it paid $123 million for 3,280 dog bite and injury claims in 2018. That’s a decrease of 9 percent compared to the number of dog bite claims in 2017 and a decrease of 7 percent in dog bite claims.
From 2009 to 2018, State Farm said it has paid more than $1.1 billion for dog-related injury claims.
According to statistics gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 350,000 people were treated in emergency rooms in 2017 for non-fatal dog-related injuries. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports 3.4 million dogs are relinquished to shelters annually because of biting and behavioral problems.
Annually, the CDC calculates that 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States, with 900,000 of the bites becoming infected.
People who are bitten by dogs may be entitled to compensation. Dog bites can put the victim into a state of shell shock, leaving him or her unable to react. Those who have been bitten by a dog should:
- Get to a safe place, away from the attack;
- Call a first responder;
- Determine who owns or control the dog;
- Take photos of the dog, the location, and your injuries;
- Get information from the dog owner including name number, address, and if possible their homeowner’s insurance;
- Get information from surrounding witnesses as well;
- Contact animal control, or law enforcement
Common injuries from dog bites may include broken bones, puncture wounds, lacerations, infections and in extreme cases, death.
Under California law, the dog’s owner is liable for any harm it causes. California law also mandates that all dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length.
Victims typically have two years to file a claim for a dog bite. The faster you file a claim with fresh evidence, the easier it will be to start the recovery process after a dog bite.
The dog bite attorneys at Yarian & Associates, APC have genuine compassion for dog bite victims. If you or a loved one is bitten by a dog in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, call (844)291-1911 or contact us at www.yarianlaw.com.
