Having a pet enriches your life. They provide unconditional love and even help protect your family. However, a dog can also hurt someone, especially if they don’t have proper restraints or training.
Premises liability refers to the personal and financial risk someone has from other people getting hurt on their property. Owning a dog can actually increase someone’s premises liability.
A dog’s owner has to pay for insurance coverage in most cases
Whether someone rents an apartment or owns their own home, they should have insurance that protects their space and themselves from premises liability. A renter’s or homeowner’s insurance will cover losses due to fire or theft and also protect someone from claims brought by other people if they get hurt during a visit.
Someone who owns a dog will need to inform their insurance provider about the animal and disclose the breed as well. Insurance companies will often cover the losses someone suffers in a dog attack.
What are your rights when a dog hurts you?
Whether you got bit by your neighbor’s dog because it jumped over the fence or suffered a mauling by a shop owner’s pet when visiting a store, you have rights as a victim. Connecticut has strict liability laws for those who own dogs.
You should be able to bring a claim against the owner’s insurance, in most cases. If the dog’s owner does not have insurance or if their insurance does not protect them from dog bite-related claims, then you may need to consider a premises liability personal injury claim against the animal’s owner.
Learning more about premises liability and dog bite laws in Connecticut can help you assert your rights after an animal attack.