Dog Bite Claims and Settlements on the Rise

Behavioral issues in dogs are on the rise in recent years following the pandemic. Pets that have become accustomed to their owners being home are now dealing with severe separation anxiety leading to increased aggressive behavior.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year and over 800,000 dog bite victims require medical attention. In 2021, there were 81 dog-bite related fatalities.

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute (“the Institute”), insurance companies paid out $1.136 million in dog-related injury claims in 2022. The average amount paid per claim was $58,545 in 2023. The Institute attributes this increase in claim amounts to increased medical costs and larger settlements, judgements, and jury awards to victims.

Insurance companies are paying a lot of money to settle dog bites claims. If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, or other animal, contact Bloch & Chapleau for a free case evaluation. We’ve handled some of the biggest, highly publicized dog bite cases in Colorado, and have recovered substantial settlements for our clients.