New Haven Personal Injury: Understanding Dog Bite Liability As a Homeowner

January 25, 2019
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When you are a New Haven homeowner, it is important to have adequate coverage on your homeowner’s policy. Your homeowner’s policy does not just protect against natural occurrences like hurricanes or flooding, but it also covers you for liability should your pet inflict a New Haven personal injury.

The State of Connecticut’s dog bite laws are strict liability which means the dog owner is responsible for the actions of their dog even if they are not negligent. The exceptions to this statute are if the victim is a child, trespassing, or if the dog was being teased or taunted.

According to US Insurance Agents, the average cost of a dog bite claim is $29,000 with $470 million in annual costs to insurance companies. There are also breeds that may get your policy denied with your insurance company: Wolf Hybrids, Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Chow Chows, Alaskan Malamutes, and Akitas.

If you are a homeowner, regardless of the breed of your dog, make sure your insurance company knows you have a dog living at your property. And if you are injured, contact our firm. Our New Haven personal injury lawyers have been helping the injured for nearly 60 years.