Dogs are wonderful animals. Sometimes though they have a bad day and bite someone. Dog bite settlements can be very costly once the medical bills are all added up.
Dog bites can cause serious bodily injury to others resulting in expensive claims and even euthanization. Both the frequency and value of these types of claims and settlements continue to climb nationwide. According to one source, the average cost paid out for dog bite claims nationwide was $37,051 in 2017. The average cost in California, the leader in claim volume, was even higher.
Many dog owners assume that their homeowners or renters insurance will protect them from third-party claims resulting from injuries occasioned by their dog. This assumption may be faulty. Many insurance companies restrict or even exclude coverage for dog related injuries.
A review of the circumstances giving rise to the claims reported below and settlement values drives home the extent unpredictable and costly nature of the risk inherent in dog ownership. Take a few minutes to browse these settlements.
Responsible dog ownership goes beyond understanding, training and controlling your dog. You must be prepared for the event your dog injures someone else. Please reach out to your insurance broker/agent to make sure you and your family are covered!
Description of Incident: Claimant, 4 year old boy, suffered multiple dog bites to face.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant sustained multiple bite marks and puncture wounds to his face and emotional trauma. He was taken to hospital immediately after incident, where he received approximately 45 stitches from a plastic surgeon.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $300,000
Settling Insurance Company: State Farm Insurance Company.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed; during expert witness deposition phase.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Boxer owned by friend jumped on and bit 36 year old female sitting on chair at friend’s home. Defense contested underlying circumstances, asserting Claimant injured herself as a result of trip and fall while intoxicated.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant sustained a fracture to her ankle and lacerations on her ankle and upper lip. She was taken to medical center for treatment following incident, where she was prescribed antibiotics and fracture was stabilized. Subsequently, her fracture was diagnosed as compromising joint and placed in a cast. Claimant underwent surgery during which screws and plates were placed. Subsequently, Claimant presented at ER on multiple occasions with complaints of pain to her ankle, ultimately resulting in removal of the screws and plates. Claimant claimed continuing discomfort and that she had been diagnosed with traumatic arthritis.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $60,000.
Settling Insurance Company: Farmers Insurance Group.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Bull Mastif/ Pit Bull Mix, weighing in excess of 100lb and 5ft tall when standing erect on its hind legs, broke free from dog run cable and attacked 54 year old male Claimant working as contractor at nearby property after he approached owners’ daughter on owners’ property.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered multiple puncture wounds on the right forearm used to shield his face and neck at the time of the attack and was transported to the ER immediately after the incident where his wounds were sutured and treated. Claimant later developed an infection in his arm. The bleeding and swelling of his dog bite wounds resolved approximately three months after the incident. His arm and hand were placed in a sling for those first three months. Claimant then received physical therapy to restore mobility and function to his right (dominant) hand and arm. Pain and numbness in Claimant’s palm and forearm persisted a year after the incident. His treating neurologist confirmed nerve damage one year after the incident and documented continuing limitations on range of motion in Claimant’s wrist, decreased sensation in his fingers over three years after the incident. Claimant also claimed he suffered from PTSD as a result of the incident.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: Not specified.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $150,000
Settling Insurance Company: Allied Property & Casualty Insurance Company.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, an unemployed 34 year old, was attacked by three pit bulls that had escaped from a nearby residential property while walking his dog.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant claimed he was bitten on his left pinky finger and left leg, resulting in puncture wounds and permanent scarring. He treated at an ER the day of the incident. The bite wounds were sutured.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $6,000.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $20,575.
Settling Insurance Company: Allstate Indemnity Company.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, a contractor in his 20s, attacked by pit bull at home where he rented room. Liability admitted.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant was bit along the thumb and webbing of his dominant hand, causing a torn ligament and five-inch laceration across the webbing of his hand. Claimant presented at the ER the day of the incident and underwent surgery on his ligament. He then followed up with a few months of physical therapy. Claimant claimed his injuries did not fully resolve, resulting in an inability to practice his trade.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $14,000.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: Unspecified amount.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $55,000.
Settling Insurance Company: Allstate Insurance Company.
Timing of Settlement: At time of jury selection.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, a 53 year old female artist, was attacked by a dog when knocking at ajar door of owner’s home. The dog allegedly bit Claimant’s right arm and wrist, while dragging her to the ground and continued to do so until first responders arrived. The dog, which purportedly had a history of 2 biting incidents, was euthanized by animal control. Liability and damages were not disputed.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered severe dog bite wounds to her dominant arm and wrist. She was transported to the ER by ambulance, where she underwent surgery to repair the avulsion flaps of her arm. Claimant claimed she suffered frozen shoulder and PTSD as a result of the incident. She underwent physical and other therapy to address. Claimant claimed severe scarring on her right arm tender to touch, reoccurring pain and numbness in her right arm as well as residual should pain. She, thus, claimed potential scar revision surgery and that she would otherwise treat in the future as necessary.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $66,630.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: In an unspecified amount.
Claimed Loss of Income: $39,499 for past lost earnings; unspecified amount for future lost earnings.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $600,000
Settling Insurance Company: Travelers Insurance Company.
Timing of Settlement: Before lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, a 49 year old woman, was bit on the upper lip when she leaned down to pet a leashed Labrador Retriever owned by her friend. The offending dog previously attempted to bite owner’s family member. The dog owner claimed Claimant assumed risk and provoked the attack.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant was transported to ER following incident where she received treatment for bite to her upper lip, including stitches, leaving a residual scar of approximately one inch. Claimant claimed she had new fear of dogs.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $4,220.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $10,000 surgical procedure to address scar, necessity of which was disputed.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $104,220
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: At mediation after lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Dog bit Claimant, a woman in her thirties, in her face while she was visiting a friend at his home. Liability admitted.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: 1/3 of Claimant’s upper lip was destroyed and she suffered lacerations to the nasal area and left side of the eye. Claimant underwent four stages of plastic surgery to repair her lip followed by laser scar treatment. Parts of her upper lip were permanently numb. Scarring was permanent. Claimant treated for psychological injuries (PTSD) as well.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $300,000 (policy limits)
Settling Insurance Company: State Farm Insurance Company
Timing of Settlement: Before lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Pair of unleashed Pit Bulls attacked 50 year old male Claimant and his small dog at public park. While liability acknowledged, causation and damages contested.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant, who was transported to the ER by ambulance on the date of the incident, sustained puncture wound to his dominant hand for which he underwent multiple surgeries, and lacerations to his temple and ear, which were sutured. Claimant underwent further surgery to address scarring. Claimant full recovered from his physical injuries. He claimed PTSD and depression, which were treated in group therapy for six months. The defense challenged his group therapy as excessive.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $35,000.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering; Claimant’s wife asserted loss of consortium claim.
Total Settlement: $150,000.
Settling Insurance Company: Farmers Insurance Group
Timing of Settlement: At mediation after lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, 5 year old girl, attacked by Akita while waiting at veterinary hospital following surgery on Akita. The Akita lunged at the girl and bit the corner of her mouth as she attempted to pet. Girl secured permission to pet prior to surgery and did so without incident.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered multiple abrasions and severe lacerations to the left side of her face from the dog bites. She was transported to ER by ambulance where her wounds were treated. She also received psychiatric counseling. Claimant made full recovery; scarring had mostly healed. Future scar revision contemplated, necessity of which contested.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $7,000.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $9,000 for possible scar revision.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: structured settlement of $161,000 with present value of $110,000, of which $100,000 apportioned to Akita owners and $10,000 to vet.
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Claimant, 4 year old child, suffered multiple bites to face while playing with dog.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Facial lacerations.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $6,200.00
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $7,500.00
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $100,000 (Policy limits)
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: 70 year old jogger could not outrun dog that escaped from owner’s fenced yard. Liability admitted.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Lacerations on lower leg resulting in scarring
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $2,000
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $250,000
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed; at mediation
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Dog bite resulted in lacerations to cheek and lip with permanent scarring.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Lacerations to cheek and lip with permanent scarring.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $100,000
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: 90 pound German Shepherd bit lower buttocks of 30 year old female utility employee on owner’s property. Liability conceded.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant transported to hospital within hours of incident for treatment of bite wound to lower buttocks. Claimant complained of psychological injury and PTSD six weeks after incident. Received mental health services. Claimed she was forced to take one year off of work due to fear associated with dogs. Claimed inability to continue with former position and decreased income with new position upon return to work.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $9,798.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $4,400.
Claimed Loss of Income: Claimed roughly $100,000 in past lost wages and $1M in future lost wages
Other Damages Claimed: $20,000 for past pain and suffering; $530,000 for future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $85,000 (reflecting discount for statutory costs and credit for workers’ compensation lien)
Settling Insurance Company: USAA
Timing of Settlement: After (998) settlement offer of $150,000 and award of $131,835 at trial (jury did not award Claimant for future lost earnings or future pain and suffering.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: 50 pound boxer-Australian Shepard mix bit 5 year old child while off leash at beach. Dog bit different child one month earlier. Claimant filed suit against both municipal animal service and individual fostering and in possession of dog at time of incident. Dog euthanized.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Puncturing and bruising of child’s scalp. Bite wounds on neck and upper arm. Wounds closed with staples and healed after one year. Severe emotional distress claimed by bite victim and by-standing brother.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $57,500 total settlement, including $50,000 for bite victim and $7,500 for by-standing brother.
Settling Insurance Company: Municipal risk management agency.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: German Shepard/Malinois mix jumped over fence and attacked 7 year old girl in her grandmother’s yard.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Bite victim suffered dog bite and puncture wounds to her right upper leg, knee and lower abdomen and further soft tissue injuries to her hands and torso. The grandmother injured her right hip (torn labrum) in breaking the dog’s grip on granddaughter’s thigh. MRI showed tears in anterior labrum and gluteus minimus tendon. Bite victim transported to hospital by ambulance where she received stitches for roughly 28 centimeters of open wounds. Bite victim ultimately developed significant scarring at the location of her injuries, totaling roughly 36 centimeters. Bite victim also suffered substantial psychological trauma, manifesting itself in the form of nightmares and anxiety. Grandmother diagnosed with symptoms of PTSD.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $46,878 for bite victim; $1,579 for grandmother
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $300,000, including $210,000 for bite victim and $90,000 for grandmother
Settling Insurance Company: Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Dalmatian/Springer/Pit Bull mix escaped from its owner’s yard and attempted to attack a small Bichon/Poodle mix, knocking 50 year old claimant to the ground. Offending dog, which was in care of dog sitter at time of incident, with history of aggression towards subject small dog.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant, a nurse, claimed she suffered an acute labral tear of her left hip as a result of the incident. She consulted with physician at an urgent care the day after the incident and self treated. When her injuries did not resolve after 10 months, Claimant underwent a left hip arthroscopy followed by another year of post rehabilitation therapy. A second left hip arthroscopy became necessary followed by another course of rehabilitation therapy. Claimant claimed she missed approximately 400 hours of work as a result of her injuries and treatment. Defense argued surgeries became necessary as the result of subsequent work-related accident.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $50,000 paid by medical insurance
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: None.
Claimed Loss of Income: $20,307.51.
Other Damages Claimed: Pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $325,000
Settling Insurance Company: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Policy Limits: $300,000 homeowner’s policy and $1M umbrella policy
Timing of Settlement: Mediation two months before trial date
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Neighbor’s unleashed Labrador charged and attacked Claimant’s dog as Claimant left her house walk to walk her dog. Claimant attempted to intervene in an effort to protect her dog. According to the Claimant, the Labrador allegedly bit Claimant on her hands, arms and legs, allegedly knocked claimant to the ground, trampled her breasts and caused her to strike her head on the pavement. According to the Labrador’s owners, Claimant’s dog provoked the incident by snarling and aggressive behavior. The Labrador’s owners also disputed their dog bit Claimant and asserted Claimant slip and fell in the process of returning her dog to the garage. Evidence surfaced showing Claimant’s dog with history of prior attacks and vicious conduct.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant claimed she sustained lesions to her hands, arms, and legs and trauma to her head, neck and breasts. Claimant presented at urgent care one week after the incident complaining one of her breast implants had become dislodged and that she had been bitten and scratched by the Labrador. She received a tetanus shot, underwent multiple breast reconstruction surgeries, a cervical fusion, and carpal tunnel surgery. She claimed her dog became nervous and aggressive after the incident, requiring therapy. Claimant also claimed depression she suffered as a result of incident prevented her from working.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $100,000
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $400,000
Claimed Loss of Income: $250,000
Other Damages Claimed: Pain and suffering; $5,000 in dog therapy costs.
Total Settlement: $15,000
Settling Insurance Company: Safeco Insurance Company
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: 73 year old woman attacked outside her home by a neighboring Akita dog that escaped its owner’s control. Liability admitted in part; comparative fault asserted.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered 30 puncture wounds to her right arm as well as lacerations spanning 100 centimeters. She received roughly 200 stitches at the emergency room following the incident and then followed up with her primary care physician for topical treatment. Claimant was allegedly left with multiple scars, mass loss and deformity to her right (dominant) arm, some nerve damage associated with the wounds, residual pain in her upper, right arm, residual depression and anxiety and PTSD. Defense contended claimant mde full recovery and not limited in any way.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $300,000
Settling Insurance Company: Mercury Insurance Group
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed; during jury selection.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: German Shepard allegedly attacked 45 year old woman walking her Yorkshire Terrier. A prior attack on Claimant by German Sheppard allegedly reported to its owner. Offending dog also involved in additional prior incident running after another dog in neighborhood.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered bite wounds to upper, right (dominant) arm. Her wounds were cleaned and stitched up at ER following incident. Claimant claimed PTSD as a result of the incident.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $70,000
Settling Insurance Company: Allstate Insurance Company
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Unrestrained Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacked Claimant.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant suffered deep flesh wounds to her dominant arm and wrist as well as tendon damage. She underwent surgery to repair tendon damage, followed by physical therapy. Claimant continued to suffer from pain and numbness in arm and extensive scarring sensitive to the touch. Claimant also suffered PTSD.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $66,600
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $6,000
Claimed Loss of Income: $39,500
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $600,000
Settling Insurance Company: Unspecified insurer.
Timing of Settlement: Before lawsuit filed.
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Pit bull/Welsh corgi mix dog jumped on Claimant, who was guest in home, and bit her face.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant with dog bite marks to upper lip, 1/3 of which was destroyed, and bite marks from the inside of her right eye socket to the top of her nose. Claimant was treated for severe lacerations to the left side of the eye, nose and mouth. Future treatment to include four stages of plastic surgery to repair her lip and laser scar treatment. Part of claimants upper lip permanently numb. Diagnosed with PTSD with referral for treatment.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: Not specified.
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: Not specified.
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $300,000
Settling Insurance Company: State Farm.
Timing of Settlement: Before lawsuit filed
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Labrador Retriever owned by fried bit Claimant in face when she leaned down to pet dog at party in public park. Offending dog previously attempted to bite young child without provocation.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Claimant taken to emergency room by friend where her lip was cleaned and sutured. Claimant left with residual scar 1-inch in length Surgey procedure costing $10,000 could minimize appearance of uneven lip. Claimant developed fear of dogs as a result of incident.
Claimed Past Medical Expenses: $4,200
Claimed Cost of Future Medical Treatment: $10,000
Claimed Loss of Income: None.
Other Damages Claimed: Past and future pain and suffering.
Total Settlement: $104,000
Settling Insurance Company: Not specified.
Timing of Settlement: After lawsuit filed
Jurisdiction: California.
Description of Incident: Minor was bitten in the face by a dog while visiting a friend at a private home.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Child had lip and and facial injuries that required two surgeries. Future scar surgeries may be needed to treat scarring as the child ages.
Total Settlement: 400,000
Insurance Company: Not available
Description of Incident: Plaintiff was bitten in the face by a dog.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Lacerations that required stitches to close
Total Settlement: 280,000
Insurance Company: USAA
Description of Incident: Plaintiff was bitten in the face by a dog.
Description of Injuries and Treatment: Lacerations that required stitches to close
Total Settlement: 280,000
Insurance Company: USAA