Dog Bite Statistics
If you have suffered a serious dog bite injury from someone else’s animal, talk to a dog bite lawyer District Heights MD recommends from the legal firm of Cohen & Cohen You have a legal right to compensation for damages sustained from someone’s negligence.
A District Heights MD dog bite lawyer from the law firm of Cohen & Cohen will review your case at no cost. After a no-obligation review, you will have a clear idea of how one of our experienced attorneys can help you recover your damages.
Unfortunately, dog bite attacks are not rare in the United States. In this country alone there are more than 4.5 million dog bite attacks every year. If you have been a victim, you may find the following information about dog bites helpful.
Canine Population in the United States
The American Pet Products Association’s 2013-2014 survey about pet ownership and annual expenses estimates there are 83.3 million dogs in this country that are owned by 56.7 million households.
Dog Bite Attack Victims
- Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control determined that from 2001-2003 1.5 percent of the US population, or 4.5 million people, were victims of dog bites annually. About one out of five of those dog bite victims, or an average of 885,000 incidents, required medical care. Medical costs can escalate quickly, even if surgery is not involved. You can recover your costs with the help of a dog bite lawyer District Heights MD injury victims turn to for legal assistance.
- About 1,008 emergency room visits happen every day due to dog bites. This is the fifth most frequent cause of emergency room visits among children. In order to recover damages, a dog bite lawyer District Heights MD families hire will need copies of all medical care that the child has received.
- More than 27,000 people had reconstructive surgery in 2012 to repair damage from dog bites. An experienced dog bite lawyer in District Heights MD can file a claim on your behalf and pursue a lawsuit or settlement to recover your costs.
- In 2012, 5,900 mail carriers were bit by dogs. A skilled dog bite lawyer District Heights MD offers may be able to negotiate a settlement higher than a workers compensation payout.
- In 2001, people aged 16 or over reported that 16,476 dog bites were work related.
Dog Bite Attacks Are On the Rise
Since the 1980’s, the number of dog bites that occur annually in the United States has continued to grow. In addition to the total number of dog bite incidences, the severity of attacks has also risen.
- From 1986 to 1994 dog bites that required medical attention increased 35 percent.
- From 1993 to 2008 dog bites that required hospitalization increased 86 percent. The cost of medical treatment for those dog bites averaged $18,200 for each victim. A majority of the victims were over the age of 65 or under the age of 5.
- From 1992 to 2001, emergency room visits for dog bite victims rose 10 percent.
- From 1992 to 1994, emergency room departments treated an average of 914 dog bite victims per day. By 2001, that number had increased to 1,008 per day.
- From the 1980’s to 2012, fatal dog attacks increased 82 percent.
Human Fatalities Due to Dog Bites is on the Increase
In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the yearly average for dog bite fatalities was 17. In recent years that total has increased to an average of 31. When a fatality occurs, a skilled dog bite lawyer District Heights MD provides can file a wrongful death suit against the dog’s owner.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Attack Humans
In studies where dog breed is identified in reference to dog bite attacks, by comparison to other dog breeds, pit bulls:
- Cause the highest number of human fatalities
- Are responsible for the costliest medical costs as a result
- Cause the highest risk of death
Pit bulls, Presa Canarios, and Rottweilers are responsible for:
- 74 percent of all dog attacks on humans
- 82 percent of all dog attacks on adults
- 68 percent of all dog attacks on children
- 65 percent of all fatal dog attacks
- 68 percent of all dog attacks resulting in maiming of victims
- Two-thirds of dog attacks that are fatal or life-threatening, the dog involved exhibited no known prior aggression or dangerous behavior before the incident
Most Common Wound Locations in Dog Bite Attacks
According to studies that focused on hospital admissions:
- 43 percent of hospitalizations included treatments for skin and underlying tissue infections
- 22 percent had wounds in the arms or legs
- 10.5 percent had wounds in the neck, torso, or head
- The remaining percentage experienced bone fractures, blood poisoning, and other injuries
The Costs Associated with Dog Bite Attacks
The cost of dog bite attacks can be very high.
- In 1998 State Farm estimated that dog bite victims suffered more than $1 billion in damages every year.
- 1995 State Farm alone paid out $70 million for 11,000 dog bite claims. They estimated that the entire insurance industry paid out about $2 billion annually.
- The Centers for Disease Control estimates that dog bite medical costs were $164.9 million annually toward the end of the 1990’s.
- In 2010, State Farm paid out 3,500 dog bite claims for a total of $90 million. The average payout per claim was $25,714.
- In 2012, dog bite claims represented more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims for a total cost of more than $489 million. The average payout per claim was $29,752.
- From 2003-2012 the average dog bite claim saw an increase of 55.3 percent.
Where Dog Bite Attacks Most Commonly Occur
More than half of all dog bite attacks in the United States occur on the dog owner’s property. A dog bite lawyer District Heights MD residents rely on to protect their rights may be able to establish the victim had a right to be on the property and the attack was unjustified.
Relationship of Dog Bite Victim to the Dog
Approximately 77 percent of dogs responsible for attacking someone are owned by one of the victim’s family members or a friend.
Legal Representation to Protect Your Rights
Sadly, dog bite attacks that cause serious injury or death are all too common. If you have been injured by a dog you have a legal right to financial compensation from the dog’s owner. If you would like to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer District Heights MD victims trust, call us today at Cohen & Cohen
