Who Pays? Dealing with Medical Bills After a Dog Bite Incident

One of the first overwhelming hurdles after a New Haven dog bite injury is figuring out who will cover the potentially massive medical costs—from ER visits and rabies protocols to plastic surgery and therapy. Unlike auto accidents, which always involve auto insurance, dog bites have unique payment pathways.

Here is the hierarchy for paying medical bills after a dog attack:

1. The Dog Owner’s Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance

In most cases, the liability for a dog bite is covered under the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy or a renter’s insurance policy. This is the primary target for compensation.

• Coverage: These policies typically have a liability clause that covers injuries caused by the policyholder’s pet, up to the policy limit (often $100,000 to $300,000).
• Process: Your attorney will file a claim directly with the homeowner’s insurance company. The bills are paid out of this coverage once a settlement is reached or a judgment is issued.

2. Your Health Insurance

If the owner is uninsured, or if the claim process is slow, your own health insurance (or government program like Medicaid/Medicare) will cover the initial medical bills.

• Subrogation: Be aware that your health insurer will likely file a subrogation lien. This means that when you receive a settlement from the dog owner’s insurance, you will be obligated to pay back your health insurer for the costs they covered.

3. The Dog Owner’s Personal Assets

If the dog owner has no insurance, or if your damages exceed the policy limits, you may have to pursue a lawsuit against the owner directly to recover funds from their personal assets.

• Note: This is less common but may be necessary in cases involving catastrophic injury where the medical costs are extremely high.

Immediate Advice: Never hesitate to seek necessary medical care due to fear of the cost. Get the treatment, and let your attorney determine the responsible party for payment.