Dogs are often considered humans’ best companions, but they can sometimes behave aggressively. Due to the aggression, it causes serious injuries. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Up to 800,000 injured people require medical attention.
These statistics help us understand how serious dog bites are. Dog bites are a serious problem that can cause severe pain, financial loss, and emotional distress to the injured person.
One good place to start is to search on Google for “dog bite attorneys near me.“ This brings up the results of local dog bite attorneys who will help you recover compensation for all the losses and damages you have suffered.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss six of the most unforgettable dog bite cases in the United States.
Pit Bull Attack in DeKalb: $72 Million
11 Alive reported that an 8-year-old girl was playing basketball at home when a pit bull attacked her. As a result of this dog bite, her right arm had limited mobility, while her left arm had to be amputated.
The case was filed by the dog owner, Twyann Vaughn. The court has ordered 16 months in a local jail for violating the Violent Dog Act in Georgia. In the final verdict, the jury awarded $72 million to the victim.
Dog Bite Settlement in Illinois: $1.1 Million
According to NBC Chicago, 17-year-old Jordyn Bankston was attacked by a bull mastiff named Kong in Illinois. As a result of this dog bite, he was severely injured. Jordyn Bankston filed a case against the dog owner. After 2 years, Jordyn Bankston was awarded $1.125 million.
Police K-9 Dog Bite Case: $650,000
KROC News reported that a dog bite incident occurred in the Olmsted County sheriff’s office when they were chasing another person. Michael Stiff, a K-9 police dog, caused the injuries to the person.
The victim filed a dog bite case against the Olmstead County Sheriff’s Office. They were awarded a compensation of $650,000.
Stacy Finelli: $5.6 Million
The Gainesville Times published a case involving a Pitbull/Labrador mix named Max that belonged to a couple who lived next door to Stacy Finelli, a mother of two.
Stacy was returning misdelivered mail to her neighbors when Max suddenly ran out of the house and mauled her. The dog attack left her with nerve damage and extensive scars, affecting her ability to work and enjoy life.
The jury ruled in her favor, despite the defense’s claim that the owners were unaware of the aggression of the dog, and awarded her $5.6 million.
Dog Bite Settlement in Hartford: $100,000
Property Causality 360 reported that a mother documented the dog bite injuries through photos. As proof, she presented these dog bite photos. After seeing the severity of the little girl’s dog bite injury, the dog owner issued $100,000 as a settlement to the mother.
This is the only dog bite case where the plaintiff actually recovered compensation with the help of photos.
Dog Bite Lawsuit Against Delta Airlines
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim sued Delta Airlines for injuries and damages after he was bitten by an emotional support dog on a flight in 2018. He claimed that the airline failed to safeguard him from harm and refused to provide him with information about the dog and its owner. Joe Ganim offered to settle the dog bite case for $74,999, but Delta declined.
This dog bite case was scheduled to go to trial in October 2022, but it was settled before that. Ganim agreed to withdraw his case against Delta Airlines in exchange for an undisclosed amount as compensation. Neither party commented on the settlement.
Final Thoughts
All the above six cases help you understand the seriousness of dog bites in the United States. Both the victims and the owners need to undergo a lengthy legal process.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, then it is important to consult an attorney who has experience handling dog bite cases.
