Considering a Dog Bite Lawsuit? You Might Be Surprised by the Average Cost of a Dog Bite

Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog every year in the United States, according to the CDC. Although the majority of these are attacks are relatively minor, serious dog bites result in thousands of victims being hospitalized every year. Depending on the extent of one’s injuries, the costs of emergency care and inpatient stays can add up very quickly.

What is the average cost of a hospital stay caused by a dog attack?

According to a study by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), the cost of an average hospital stay caused by a dog bite was $18,200 in 2008. That’s about 50 percent higher than the cost of an average hospital stay for an injury. The average length of stay for dog bite-related injuries was about 3.3 days in 2008.

Other highlights from the HCUP study

In addition to the average cost of a hospital stay, some other revealing findings of the study include:

• Dog bite-related injuries resulted in approximately 316,200 emergency department visits and 9,500 hospital stays in 2008.
• Emergency department visits caused by dog bites were highest in the Northeast and Midwest.
• Some of the most common causes for hospitalization for dog-related injuries include: open wounds, infections and fractures of the upper limbs.

Are you considering a dog bite lawsuit?

In many cases, pet owners can be held financially responsible when victims are seriously hurt by an out of control dog. Proving liability is one of the most important parts of pursuing a dog bite lawsuit, and the laws that govern proving liability in dog bite cases can vary from state to state. If you’ve been a victim of a dog attack, you can learn how these laws may apply to your individual case by speaking with an experienced dog bite attorney.

Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today!

If you or someone you know has been attacked by a vicious or neglected pet, our Florida dog bite lawyers may be able to help. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk now at 1-800-538-4878 to get started.