According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) there are approximately 77.8 million dogs owned as pets in the United States. With all of these dogs come a lot of dog bite injuries, however. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs bite nearly 4.5 million individuals annually. 885,000 of these dog bite victims require medical attention and nearly 50 percent of these are children.
When someone’s dog bites a person, that person may be entitled to compensation. The III research found that, in Ohio, the average value of a dog bite claim in 2015 was $33,294. This compensation for dog bites includes, but is not limited to, pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.
CA, AZ Led the Nation in Value, Number of Dog Bite Claims
According to the III report, Ohio is below the national average in terms of claim value. The average cost per claim in the United States was $37,214. The state with the highest average cost per claim was Arizona with $56,654. California has the second highest average cost per claims in 2015 with $44,983.
California had the greatest number of dog bite claims in 2015 with 1,684. Ohio was seventh with 604.
The III also found the total number of reported dog bite injuries nationwide decreased by 7.2 percent in 2015. Yet, at the same time, the average cost per claim for the year 2015 increased by a whopping 16 percent. In 2014, the average cost per claim was $32,072. The average cost per claim continues to rise annually. As a matter of fact, with an increase in the cost of medical care, combined with the increase in the size of settlements, jury awards and judgment awards, the average cost per claim has skyrocketed by more than 94 percent between the years of 2003 and 2015.
Ohio’s Dog Bite Statute
Per the Ohio Revised Codes, § 955.28, a dog owner may be held liable when his or her dog injures, bites or causes a loss to a person, injures a person’s pet, or damages someone’s personal property. The dog owner will face such liability even if it is his or her dog’s first time engaging in such conduct.
Nevertheless, the Code further prescribes that if the victim was trespassing, committing a crime, abusing, or even tormenting the dog, its owner will not be held liable for any injuries then caused by his or her dog.
Take Action – Call a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer at Bressman Law
If a dog bit you in Ohio, and you sustained injuries, it is imperative that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Mr. Bressman, at Bressman Law, is an experienced personal injury, dog bite, lawyer, and is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Bressman Law offers a FREE initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. Call (877) 538-1116 to schedule a consultation on your case.