#GoldenRetriever #Accident #Responsibility #PetOwner #Communication
Hey everyone! So, here’s a tricky situation I’m dealing with – during a walk with my daughter, our overenthusiastic golden retriever puppy decided to chase a squirrel and accidentally caused an old lady (77yr) to fall. 🐿️🐾 Now, she’s asking for compensation not just for the immediate medical expenses but also for any future costs.
Here’s what I need advice on:
– Should I agree to pay for all future copay expenses as well?
– How should I approach the conversation with her about this issue?
Possible solution:
Consider discussing the incident calmly with the old lady and express your willingness to cover immediate copay expenses in a polite manner. Perhaps suggest negotiating a reasonable agreement for future expenses to avoid any misunderstandings.
What are your thoughts on handling a situation like this? Share your advice and experiences below! 🤔 #SquirrelChaseGoneWrong #PetParentDilemma
Was your daughter in violation of a leash law? If so, you could probably be held liable for whatever flows from this in court, but she’d have to sue. 77 year old probably isn’t suing in small claims without a lawyer, but are there really and truly enough damages here to interest a lawyer? Its easy to make threats, but following up is not so easy. I’d pay for the copay and say no, not signing or agreeing to anything further, unless you want so sign a full release for an additional $200. Something like that — actually settle any and all current or potential claims arising from this.
If she wasn’t in violation of a leash law, where is the liability? its not automatically negligence if a dog gets away from someone being careful, especially if its never happened before.
Your state’s dog bite laws should not apply, but not a bad idea to take a look just to be sure. Typically though, they do require an actual bite, and other stuff works off normal negligence principles. The only way around negligence would generally be if the injury can be tied to violation of a leash law.
NAL (legal assistant). It’s hard to predict the injured lady’s future actions. Just because she’s fine now, doesn’t mean she won’t attempt to sue you for medical expenses and negligence in the future, depending on your state’s statute of limitations (find out how long she has to do that). Unless you both sign a hold harmless agreement listing all of your costs, it sounds like she wants to keep you on the hook for any potential medical expenses in the future. As much as you may not want to do this, it’s best to notify your insurance adjuster and let the lady’s lawyer deal with them directly.
How old is your daughter? You could be at fault if your daughter isn’t able to control the dog appropriately. Something like this is my worst nightmare even with our gentle lab. Kids shouldn’t be walking a dog unless they have full control over the dog no matter what the circumstance. If I was a 77 year old lady who fell due to a dog I would be livid. If she doesn’t have any obvious injuries you are incredibly lucky. She could find other issues down the line if something doesn’t heal correctly. You should take care of the issue now before lady comes back in a year with $100k+ in injuries/surgeries down the line.
Your home owners or renters insurance might cover her damages. If it does, their lawyers will represent you. If not, consult with a personal injury lawyer. Don’t sign or pay anything unless they prepared it or reviewed it for you.
Where did she fall? Did the dog run onto her property en route to squirrel? Was she on your sidewalk? Don’t sign anything for her, take her information and contact your homeowner insurance.
Do not sign anything. That puts your insurance carrier in a bad position. If you have renters or homeowners insurance they can pay her from “medical” payments without you saying you are at fault ot not. Once that limit is exhausted she needs to sue you if she wants $. Her insurance carrier is going to go after you for the full amount that they covered, assuming she tells them how she was hurt. It’s standard for the health insurance carrier to send a letter after a fall asking how they were hurt, who was involved etc.
Do not sign a letter and seek counsel
NAL.”New phone, who dis?”. You’re welcome.
Uh yeah you should absolutely be paying for every cent this is going to cost this woman. What in the world, of COURSE you are responsible!! Never let someone walk your dog that cannot keep it under control.