Dog Bite Attorney: Statistics
CAPE CORAL, FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. Of those 4.7 million, the statistics are that:
- 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; 400,000 of those are children
- 386,000 of injured people require treatment in the emergency room
- Approximately 12 people die each year from dog bite injuries
Who is at risk for Dog Bites?
Anyone can be the victim of a dog bite injury. Those with a greater risk include:
- Elderly
- Home service providers, such as mail carriers or meter readers
- Children, but especially those age 5-9; this risk decreases with age
Children ages 4 and younger tend to sustain injuries in the head or neck region and dog bite injury rates tend to be higher in boys than girls. Remember to never leave babies or children alone with a dog.
What types of dogs bite?
A report by the CDC listed the breeds of dogs involved in fatal attacks between the years 1979-1998. While purebred pit bull type dogs and rottweilers were involved in the largest number of fatal attacks during that 20-year period, there were dozens of other breeds that also attacked and killed. It is important to remember that any dog can bite, regardless of size or breed, even those that seem mild-mannered and cuddly.
What is Florida’s Dog Bite law?
Florida’s strict liability dog bite statute 767.04 states that: ”The owner of a dog is liable for damages inflicted by his or her dog that bites a person who is either in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner’s property.” If you are the owner of a dog that bites another person, regardless of whether or not your dog has displayed such behavior in the past, you can be held liable for your dog’s actions.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid $317.2 million for dog bite liability claims in 2005 alone. Dog bites can result in permanent disfigurement, psychological trauma and even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite, please contact our office for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal rights. At Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A., we can help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
