Attorney Robert Edens’s Newest Book “What to Do When the Dog Bites?”

Expertise: Dog Bite Injuries, Viscous Dog Attacks, Pit Bull Attacks, Other Animal Attacks, Spinal, Cervical and Neck Injuries, Puncture Wounds, Insurance Coverage Disputes, Premise Liability, Tort Law, Auto and Other Negligence, Commercial Disputes, Wrongful Death, Personal Injury. Leader in the field of accident reconstruction, animal control department rules and regulations, jury and bench trials.

While car accidents are among the most common cause of injury, dog bites rank right up at the top with 800,000 reported injuries annually in the US. It is estimated that dog bite injuries cost the insurance companies, and ultimately the policyholders, $412 million dollars a year!

There are 10 breeds that are identified by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) that present an increased risk and, therefore, will increase your insurance premiums anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per year, depending on the dog breed, where you live, and the insurance company. Currently, the top 10 most dangerous breeds, in alphabetical order, are:

• Alaskan Malamute
• Boxer
• Chow-Chow
• Dalmatian
• Doberman Pincher
• German Sheppard
• Presa Canario
• Rottweiler
• Siberian Husky
• Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull)

Unfortunately, 33 people die each year as a result of dog bites with two-thirds of these fatalities caused by Pit Bulls alone.

Immediate medical attention is required when a dog bite pierces a person’s skin. The wound must be thoroughly washed out with antiseptic to prevent infection and is usually accompanied by a course in antibiotics and a current tetanus shot.

The treating facility is required by law to report the name of the dog and its owner to the local authorities. The owner of the dog then has to provide proof of current vaccinations and depending on the circumstances surrounding the bite or attack, the dog may be required to be observed for 3 days and evaluated by a third party to ensure it is not a further threat to anyone.

If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, or other vicious animal, through no fault of your own, it is in your best interest to consult an attorney before accepting a settlement from the insurance company. Robert Edens offers an honest, no obligation, free consultation. He will evaluate the facts of your case, review any settlement that an insurance company has offered you, or tell you how you can handle the case yourself if his services are unnecessary. Call 847-395-2200 or click here to schedule your appointment for a free consultation.