Dog bite claims fall, except for mail carriers

International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge Meets Goal, Educates Over 30,000 Children

Postal Service, which reported 5,879 bites and attacks last year, 274 more than in 2011. As states continue to crack down on biting dogs and to enact leash laws, the 43 million dog-owning households are increasingly on guard against losing their best friends to animal control and paying through the nose for victims' medical costs and lawsuits, says Loretta Worters, Vice President of the Insurance Information Institute. "There's two lies we hear at the Postal Service. One is, "The check's in the mail," and two is, "My dog won't bite,' " says Mark Saunders, USPS spokesman. He adds that it's almost never the postal service's fault that you haven't received your check, and usually the person who owes you just hasn't sent it yet. Leading the list of dog bite claims were California, coming in first, with 451 claims costing $17.1 million; Illinois at 337 claims costing $9 million at second; and Texas with 236 claims costing $4.3 million at third.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2013/05/16/dog-bite-stats/2166543/

Dog Bites Increasing in Orange County, CA – Noted Dog Attack Lawyer Jeff Nadrich Comments

People prayed and stayed and wanted me to be here," said Sullins. They determined it was capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacteria found in one third of cats' and dogs' saliva. It is normally harmless, except when an animal bites someone who already has a compromised immune system. In Texas, two to three cases are reported each year; the majority are mild. Sullins says she doesn't blame the dog and doesn't want other pet owners to worry. "People don't be afraid of your dogs or your cats; love 'em," said Sullins.
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New Jersey "Strict Liability" Dog Bite Law Means Victims Can Sue On First Offense

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 11, 2013 A new report from the Orange County Register warns that dog bites are on the rise throughout the county, with at least 6 attacks reported just in the last 9 weeks. The numbers are also showing a year-over-year increase, with more attacks reported in 2012 than in 2011, and an unprecedented number of bites already reported in 2013. Orange county dog bite lawyer Jeff Nadrich recently weighed in on the statistics. According to Nadrich, I don't need to look at statistical data to know that dog bite cases are on the rise. My own dog bite law firm has experienced a gradual increase in dog bite consultations over the past few consecutive years, and some of the stories are just heartbreaking. Of course, we always see an increase in dog bites during the summer, but this is proving to be more serious than just the usual summer spike.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.watchlistnews.com/2013/08/11/dog-bites-increasing-in-orange-county-ca-noted-dog-attack-lawyer-jeff-nadrich-comments/

Dog Bites Insurance Companies: Man's Best Friend Behind One-Third of All Homeowner Claims

He was hospitalized for ten days due to extensive muscle damage and he is now permanently scarred. The victim eventually received $563,000 in damages , negotiated through arbitration, which qualifies as one of the largest dog bite settlements in the stateas history. What was key to the case is New Jerseyas astrict liabilitya law, which effectively states that a first-time incidence of dog bites can be grounds for a lawsuit. In the past, there had to be a history of biting or threatening behaviors by the animals in question a which might have let the dog owners off the hook in the Elizabeth case. Further, as is often the case in personal injury, there were at least two parties found to be responsible for the injuries. Primarily, it was the dog owner who is now liable for 85 percent of the damages. But the owner of the building where the dogs were able to enter is required to pay 15 percent of the settlement.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-jersey-strict-liability-dog-bite-l-08312/

Leander mom speaks after dog bite leads to amputation

Dog bites can be emotionally and physically scarring for a child and can cost the dog his life. "Dog bites are preventable and we are very proud of the efforts of all our presenters as they work hard during Dog Bite Prevention Week and all year doing community education to help reduce the risk of dog bites to children," said Joan Orr, president and cofounder of Doggone Safe. The "Be a Tree" program is a dog bite prevention presentation for school children. Children learn that a happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely, while an anxious dog may show a half moon of white in his eye, yawn, lick his lips or turn away. A dog that does not want to meet them has his mouth closed and may hold his tail and body stiff, or wag his tail slowly.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/international-dog-bite-prevention-challenge-meets-goal-educates-over-30000-children-356680.php

The low over the past decade occurred in 2005, when 14,295 dog bite claims were recorded. While the number of dog bite claims has fluctuated a bit up and down, the value of claims has gone in one direction : upward. In the 2012, dog bite claims accounted for $489.7 million, which is more than one-third of all homeowners liability claims paid in the year, according to the III. Compare that to 2003, when there were a few hundred more dog bite claims, and yet the claim payouts totaled $324.2 million. From 2003 to 2012, the value of dog bite claims increased 51%, a rate that far outpaces inflation. The average dog bite claim payout rose from $19,162 in 2003 to $29,752 last year, an increase of 55%. (MORE: Millions on Pet Halloween Costumes? Why We Spend More and More on Pets ) Insurers take notice of such data, and yes, owning a dogespecially one that has bitten someonecan affect your policy.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://business.time.com/2013/05/28/dog-bites-insurance-companies-mans-best-friend-behind-one-third-of-all-homeowner-claims/