According to a recent article in Bloomberg, the year 2016 saw a noticeable increase in dog bite insurance claims across the country, including in places like San Marcos. Data from the Insurance Information Institute (III) and other industry groups indicates that “insurance claims for dog bites jumped 18% to 18,123 last year in the U.S.” On average, the cost for insurance companies of a dog bite is $33,230. While that single figure showed a slight decrease from 2015, it nonetheless represents a 70% increase from 15 years ago. Why has the average cost of a dog bite injury continued to remain so high? In short, the III suggests that medical costs are higher and injury victims are receiving larger settlements.

Since National Dog Bite Prevention Week is in April, now is a good time to think carefully about dog bite risks in San Marcos and steps we can take to prevent animal attack injuries.

Total Costs of Dog Bite Injuries Soar in California and Other U.S. States

The rates of dog bite injuries are particularly high. The III’s interactive map shows that the highest number of dog bite claims came from California. The numbers in California are not remaining stagnant. Between 2015 and 2016, California saw an increase in dog bite claims by 250—there were 1,684 claims in 2015 and 1,934 in 2016. In total, California also had the highest amount of payouts for dog bite cases, totaling $76 million.

Dog bite injury claims are on the rise across the country. Other states with notable increases in the sheer number of dog bite claims, as well as insurance payouts, were Florida and New York. In the latter, the average payout was over $55,000. To be clear, 2016 had the highest number of dog bite claims on record, according to the III’s figures.

Children are Often Victims of Animal Attacks

Who is getting hurt in animal attacks? The article highlights the high risk of dog bite injuries among children. In total, children are victims of dog bites in more than 50% of the claims in the U.S. from 2016. One of the problems may be that parents do not teach their kids how to be safe around dogs. While we should not have to worry about a dog attacking a child, it is always important to ensure that children know how to behave around a dog. According to Loretta Worters, the vice president of the III, “kids should be taught to ask permission before petting a dog, and not to run away, because such behavior can encourage pets to chase.” In addition, if kids try to approach a litter of puppies, the adult dogs can become protective and lash out.

Yet the duty really is on dog owners to ensure that animal attacks do not occur. Owners “should make sure they socialize puppies, helping them learn appropriate behaviors when they’re young,” according to the III, “and have the dogs spayed or neutered.” In addition to children, postal workers are also at great risk of a dog bite injury. Between 2015 and 2016, the rate of animal attacks rose by about 200 incidents, and California again was ranked among the states with the highest number of bites.

Seek Advice from a San Marcos Dog Bite Lawyer

When it comes to dog bite injuries, California is a strict liability state. Under California law, a dog owner can be liable for injuries even if she or he was not negligent. If you or someone you love got hurt in a dog attack, you should seek advice from a dog bite injury attorney in San Marcos as soon as possible. Contact the Walton Law Firm today.

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(image courtesy of Manu Adan)

Are Some Dogs Riskier Than Others?

In San Diego, Einhorn Insurance, a company that specializes in dog liability insurance, recently put together a list of dog breeds that are “most often deemed dangerous by insurance companies.” However, Einhorn emphasizes that “it doesn’t agree with these opinions” and seeks to help homeowners and dog owners who are responsible.

But should pedestrians and other passersby agree with Einhorn? Or should we be worried when we walk by a home with a dangerous breed sitting on the front porch? Let’s begin by taking a look at some of the breeds that many insurers have deemed more likely to attack than others and have been placed on ban lists:

• Pit bulls and Staffordshire terriers: in general, when people talk about “pit bulls,” they’re usually referring either to the American pit bull terrier or the American Staffordshire terrier. These dog breeds “have a reputation for being unpredictable and dangerous,” and they’re often responsible for fatal dog bites in California.
• Doberman pinschers: this breed hasn’t been among the most notable in recent years when it comes to dog bite injuries, but Dobermans were involved in a number of attacks back in the 1970s “when the breed’s popularity grew.” A pet Doberman most recently was implicated in a fatal dog bite involving an infant in 2008.
• Rottweilers: like pit bulls, Rottweilers have been cited in a number of dog bites in California and other states in recent years. But is the breed to blame, or do these dogs tend to attract certain types of owners? In general, advocates for these dogs emphasize that they “need obedience training, socialization, and daily exercise” in order to be “kept under control.”
• Chow chows: while this breed is a popular pet, its tendency to “protect its human family” can mean that it will behave aggressively around other dogs and outsiders.
• Great Danes: primarily due to the dog’s large size, this breed has been known to be involved in several fatal dog attacks in recent years.
• Presa Canario: as Bankrate.com explains, this breed “has become somewhat notorious because of a 2001 case in San Francisco” in which “a woman who kept two of the massive dogs is serving 15 years to life in prison because of the actions.” The dogs brutally attacked a neighbor in the hallway of the apartment building, and the injuries proved fatal. This breed often “makes the list” when it comes to breed bans.
• Akitas: this breed to known to become aggressively quickly, particularly around children. To be sure, an Akita was responsible for a 3-year-old boy’s severe dog bite injuries in Murrieta, California back in 2013.
• German shepherds: like pit bulls and Rottweilers, German shepherds often are cited in severe and fatal dog bite incidents.

Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer

After looking through a list of frequently banned breeds, should we believe that certain breeds are more dangerous than others? An article from the American Veterinary Medical Association emphasizes that “breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites,” and that targeting particular breeds isn’t the proper way to prevent injuries. Instead, we must address specific factors related to:

• The individual pet;
• The target (the owner of the animal, a family member or friend, or a stranger);
• The dog’s living conditions and training; and
• Whether the dog is urban or rural.

While there’s no concrete predictive tool for animal attacks, it is important to speak with an experienced San Diego dog bite attorney if you are injured in an attack. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to learn more about how we can assist with your case.

Photo Credit: BusyBee-cr via Compfight cc See Related Blog Posts: Should California Have a Dangerous Dogs Act? Dog Bite Injuries and Infections

Fatal Dog Attacks Becoming More Common

In California and across the country, fatal dog bite injuries seem to be happening with more frequency. As the Sacramento Bee article points out, the terrible dog attack in Modesto, in which an elderly woman sustained serious injuries and her son was killed by several pit bulls, is a story that has become all too common. Indeed, according to Dogsbite.org, every day around 1,000 people in the U.S. must visit an emergency room in order to receive care for a dog bite injury.

And the dog bite fatality statistics show that Californians have been the victims of the most dog bite injuries in the last year. To be sure, California had the highest rate of dog bite fatalities, with 5 in 2013 alone. All of those cases involved pit bulls, and 60 percent of those cases led to criminal charges. Statistics for 2014 are currently being compiled, but the incident in Modesto suggests that the fatality number may prove even higher this year.

Some other significant statistics about dog bite fatalities include the following:

• Pit bull terriers and rottweilers are the most frequently cited “lethal” breeds in the U.S. In 2013, pit bulls were responsible for 25 dog bite fatalities, and rottweilers were responsible for one. Together, they account for 81 percent of all recorded dog bite fatalities in 2013, and three-fourths of all dog bite fatalities between the years 2005 and 2013.
• More than half of all victims who sustained fatal dog bites were kids under the age of 8 (56 percent). Of those victims, 61 percent were under the age of 5.
• Of the dogs involved in fatal attacks, about half are characterized as “family dogs” (47 percent), and nearly 80 percent of reported fatal attacks occurred on the dog owner’s property.

Dog Attack Legislation

Certain cities in California have already adopted rules that require dog owners to neuter their pit bulls, as well as some other breeds that have been linked to attacks. However, advocates for reform suggest that cities like San Diego must take bigger steps toward preventing dog bite injuries, and perhaps even banning certain breeds. Can the U.S. learn from the U.K.?

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen of Modesto indicated that she’d be in support of a bill like this, but she’s not currently planning on proposing one. The Sacramento Bee suggests that it will take a brave assemblyperson to propose such a ban, given the high rate of dog ownership in California. Yet at the same time, tougher legislation may be necessary to put an end to the high rate of dog bite fatalities in our state.

Have you been bitten by a dog? Have you lost a loved one in a dog attack? You may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced San Diego dog bite lawyer at the Walton Law Firm today.

See Related Blog Posts: New Report Shows Record Number of Dog Bite Injury Claims California is the “Dog Bite Capital” of America

Recent California Dog Bite Injuries in the News

According to a recent report from ABC News, a Modesto, California woman was mauled by four pit bulls, and her son died while trying to save her life. The victim, Maria Fernandez, 77, heard her son out back and saw that four pit bulls had attacked her son. “They were all around him,” she explained. Trying to help her son fend off the animal attack, she “tried to chase them with a broom,” but the dogs then attacked Maria. Her 54-year-old son, Juan Fernandez, managed to get away from the animals, but he came back to save his mother’s life.

Maria sustained “bites on her arms, shoulder, and head,” and she also “suffered a broken leg,” according to the report. She remembers seeing that she “had all blood all over.” She managed to make it back inside her house as her son Juan sustained additional attacks from the dogs outside. Juan’s injuries ultimately proved fatal. The dogs belonged to Maria’s neighbors, who have since moved away. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t yet determined whether it will press criminal charges. As of early this month, Maria remained in a rehabilitation center, receiving treatment for her injuries.

Another recent article in U-T San Diego emphasized that dogs can bite at any time, and dog bite injuries often require immediate medical treatment. Last month in Valley Center, a man had been driving erratically. One motorist described the suspect as “swerving all over the road” and failing to yield to other motor vehicles. Deputies engaged in a slow-speed pursuit with him, and the suspect ultimately stopped his vehicle, got out, and ran. The deputies released a police dog, and the dog bit the suspect. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center in order to receive treatment for his wound before being taken into custody.

Prevention and Treatment for Dog Bite Injuries

Before thinking about essential treatment for dog bite injuries, it’s important to consider prevention. An article on WebMD emphasizes that dogs bite more than 4 million Americans each year, and about 50 percent of those victims are children. Indeed, children are at greatest risk of a serious or fatal dog bite injury. And of those millions of victims, approximately 20 percent require immediate medical attention, according to statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What can you do to prevent a dog bite injury?

• Choose a pet with a traditionally good temperament.
• Don’t go near dogs you don’t know.
• Don’t leave your child alone with a dog, even if it’s a dog you know.
• Never try to approach a dog that’s eating.
• If a dog does become aggressive, do your best to stay calm and to back away slowly—a sudden movement can cause the dog to attack.

Many dog bite injuries require immediate treatment. Without medical attention, a dog bite injury quickly can become infected. When you’ve been attacked by a dog, it’s important to seek treatment from a healthcare professional and to contact an experienced San Diego dog bite attorney. Contact the Walton Law Firm today to learn more about how we can assist with your case.

Photo Credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis via Flickr

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How often do severe dog bite injuries occur? According to a recent article in Bloomberg Businessweek, dog bite claims are on the rise across the country. To be sure, data collected by the Insurance Information Institute showed that insurance claims related to animal attack injuries rose by nearly six percent last year, for a total of 17,359 claims. This figure set a new record established back in 2003.

Across the country last year, a

verage dog bite insurance claims resulted in payments of about $28,000. That is up by nearly 45 percent over the last ten years. And to give this figure another spin, dog bite claims account for more than 33 percent of “all homeowners insurance liability-claim dollars paid out in 2013.”

In response, homeowners insurance policies are getting stricter when it comes to dog-inflicted damage. Indeed, many insurance companies are charging higher premiums for homeowners with dogs, particularly when they are of a certain breed (such as pit bulls). Other insurance companies will not cover dog-inflicted damage unless the homeowner has taken his or her dog to pet behavior classes.

California Leads the Pack in Dog Bite Injuries

It may not be surprising to many California residents that dog bite claims have spiked over the last year. News sources across the state have reported on gruesome animal attacks that left victims in critical condition, according to an article from CBS Sacramento. For instance, in early October a Modesto woman was attacked by four pit bulls inside her home. When a relative arrived at the house, that relative also sustained dog bite injuries. Both victims were reported to be in critical condition.

An article in Reuters recently reported that a man from Southern California whose pit bulls mauled a 63-year-old woman to death was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for second-degree murder. The victim, Pamela Devitt, was out for a morning walk when the dogs attacked her. She suffered approximately 200 puncture wounds, according to the report, and died as a result of blood loss.

In 2013 alone, insurance companies in the state of California paid out about $65 million in relation to dog bite claims. The average of each claim was nearly $34,000. Why are these settlements so pricey? In many cases, California’s strict liability law may play a role. What is strict liability? In short, a dog owner is responsible for any bad action committed by the dog, regardless of any mitigating circumstances. In other words, even if the owner was not clearly at fault, that owner is still liable. So, for instance, if a dog jumps through a screen and attacks a child on the street, the owner is likely still liable for the dog’s behavior. In a strict liability claim, the victim must only show that the injury occurred, and not that the owner did something wrong or negligent.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a dog bite accident, you should know that you may be eligible for financial compensation. Dog bites occur with some frequency in California, and the experienced San Diego dog bite lawyers at the Walton Law Firm can answer your questions today. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your dog bite claim.

Photo Credit: Wonka123 via morgueFile See Related Blog Posts: California is the “Dog Bite Capital” of America San Diego Veterinarians Join Dog Bite Prevention Campaign

Have you ever been attacked by a dog? According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, California sees more dog bite claims than any other state in the U.S. In fact, in 2013 alone, California insurance companies received a total of 1,919 claims for dog bite injuries that ended up costing them $64.7 million. Based on data collected by the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm in a recent report, that’s the highest cost of claims in America.

And dog bite insurance claims are on the rise everywhere. Across the country, insurance companies ended up paying out a total of $484 million for dog bite injury claims in 2013, and the total number of claims actually rose by 5.5 percent from 2012. According to the article, “encounters with Fido account for more than one-third of liability costs for homeowners insurance.” A spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute indicated that the average claim cost has risen “more than 45 percent in the last decade.”

Why are costs rising? It’s not just that more dog bites are happening each year. Rather, medical costs are going up. And when dog bite cases go to court, judgments and jury awards have also been on the rise for plaintiffs in recent years.

The report from the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm did explain that some of the claims may be dog-related injuries, but not necessarily dog bite injuries: “the increase in the number of claims may be attributable to non-bite injuries that are being captured in the analysis, which can include scratching, tripping, knocking down or frightening a person.”

Dog Bite Statistics in San Diego

How often do dog bite injuries occur in the San Diego area? According to ScoopSanDiego.com, residents of San Diego sustain serious injuries from animal attacks each year. In 2011 and 2012, there were approximately 3000 dog bites reported each year. Are dog bites specific to certain breeds? In general, it’s very important to remember that any dog can bite, and that dog breeds are not foolproof predictors of whether a dog will attack a human. However, some breeds are responsible for more injuries than others based on statistics from 2012:

· In 640 reported dog bites, the breed was unknow; · 399 bites were attributed to pit bull; · 196 bites were attributed to Labrador retrievers; and · 172 bites were attributed to Chihuahuas.

DogsBite.org indicates that Rottweilers, German shepherds, bullmastiffs, and boxers are also responsible for a high number of fatal dog bite injuries each year, but the American Humane Association (AHA) emphasizes that dog bites are reported more frequently when certain breeds—such as pit bulls or Rottweilers—are involved in the attacks. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a majority of dog bites happen at home and are attributed to dogs that are family pets. In other words, dog bite injuries aren’t only an issue with stray dogs or unknown dogs.

Have you been injured in a dog attack? Did your child sustain severe or fatal injuries from a dog bite? You may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced San Diego dog bite attorney at the Walton Law Firm today.

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