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North Carolina Workers' Compensation

Disability Insurance - ERISA Attorney

Disability Insurance: Do not buy it through your employer

Medical Malpractice, Hospital Malpractice, Professional Negligence

MSN Money Report: Dog Bites Can Bankrupt You

What happens when your dog bites another person? Unfortunately, it not only causes another person physical and emotional anguish - it can have serious consequences for you, your life, and your finances. In a MSN Money article by Liz Pulliam Weston, the author explains that if your dog attacks someone, it could lead to five-figure costs, battles with your insurance company, community service, and even jail time. In one frightening case in 2001, a married couple was convicted of involuntary manslaughter when their two Presa Canarios mauled a woman to death in the hallway of her apartment building.

In one case, a woman walking her dog to the bus stop to pick up her children was attacked by an American bulldog weighing 90 pounds. The woman's nose was bitten off by the dog. The owner, who insisted that his dog had no history of violence or aggressiveness, was sentenced to four months in jail and 100 hours of community service.

Luckily, the dog owner's insurance covered the financial damages - the woman who was attacked needed several plastic surgeries and was awarded almost one million dollars. He husband and her children also received $33,000 each, bringing the total to the maximum amount granted in the dog owner's insurance policy.

The article also shared some shocking dog bite statistics, when it comes to money:

· The average dog bite claim was $24,511 in 2007, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That amount has risen 11.5 percent in the last year and 28 percent since 2003.

· Dog bites are responsible for 33 percent of all homeowner insurance liability claims and costs insurance companies $356 million last year.

What can you do to protect yourself from a situation in which your dog costs you money, trouble, or even jail time? The simplest thing you can do is keep close watch over your dog, even if you believe that he is not aggressive or violent. Keep your fences in working condition, keep your collars and leashes sturdy, and never let your dog run loose. Also, always have insurance for the cases where your dog does do damage.

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