Resources are available to animal attack victims to help prevent additional suffering following what was likely a traumatic event.
Recently, the wife of a man that suffered a dog bite in a nearby Massachusetts community broke up the dog attack. The animal attack occurred when an unleashed dog attacked the woman’s husband and the couple’s own dog. The victim was bitten on left hand, wrist and right forearm and went to the hospital for care. The victim’s dog also suffered injuries to its upper front leg and paw in the dog attack. The victims provided the license plate and vehicle type for the pet owner of the dog that attacked them who they talked with at the scene.
Pet owners whose animals injure another party are held strictly liable for the harm that is suffered. This means that regardless of the owner’s knowledge (or lack thereof) of the dangerous propensities of the dog, the pet owner will be liable to compensate a dog bite victim that brings a personal injury claim against the pet owner for injures the victim has suffered. The victim injured in the dog attack may be able to collect medical expenses, pain and suffering damages, as well as lost wages and damage to property.
There are several types of insurance that, depending on the coverage and the circumstances, may help a pet owner compensate a victim of an animal attack. These can include homeowner’s insurance, car insurance and animal insurance. The pet owner does not have to have insurance for the victim to bring an animal bite claim.
Because damages can be significant in a dog attack, including scarring and disfigurement, it is important that victims understand options available to them in bringing a dog bite claim. These options are available to help victims recover following such a horrible attack.
Source: RoslindalePatch.com, “Pregnant Roslindale Woman Breaks Up Vicious Dog Attack,” David Ertischek, May 13, 2013.
