New York Had 4th Highest Number of Dog Bite Claims in U.S. in 2017

Dogs bite roughly 4.5 million people every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 885,000 require medical attention to treat their injuries. In 2017, dog-related injuries and dog bite claims were responsible for more than a third of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims, resulting in almost $700 million worth of damage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide increased to 18,522 in 2017, compared to 18,122 in 2016 – a 2.2 percent increase.

How common are dog bite claims in New York?

Roughly $43,479 of the nearly $700,000 — came from dog bite claims filed in the state of New York, according to the III. In fact, New York ranked fourth for the total number of dog bite claims in 2017, and third in average cost per claim.

The average value of a New York dog bite claim in 2017 was $44,479, the third highest in the nation, behind Florida ($44,700) and New Jersey ($43,652).

The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $37,051 in 2017, compared with $33,230 in 2016.

What is the reasoning for the higher claim values around the U.S.?

The reason for such a dramatic increase in the average cost per claim is likely due to the severity of the dog attacks and the victims who are injured as a result, reports the III.

More and more dog attacks, and bites, involve children, elderly citizens, and cyclists. The age of these victims — and for the cyclists, their speed while being attacked and often knocked down — has caused an increase in the likely severity of attacks and the potential for higher medical expenses.

What can I do if I was the victim of a dog attack?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation, but recovering what you need and deserve in our state can be very difficult. For more information about whether you can sue, what you can recover, and the amount of time you have to do sue, give the Long Island dog bite attorneys at Goldstein and Bashner a call.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with us today: 516-874-4362. Before our meeting, feel free to check out our guide on what to do after a dog bite to ensure you have done everything you can to protect your legal right to recovering compensation.