Need Some Advice about Dog Bite (Sorry Long)

[p2oh]

A friend I work with was getting married and I was invited to her bachelorette party the week before her wedding, I had already been to one shower and helped give another one. So I go to her house for the party and I was bitten on the arm by her pit bull. The wound was ugly, required seven stitches and was and is still, painful. I had to miss a few days of work, pay for prescriptions, pay for bandaging supplies and all that stuff. Well, the night I got bit she came to the ER and apologized profusely and offered to pay for everything. I told her they didn’t charge me that night and I would let her know. She called the next day to see how I was and that was the last I heard from her. I had offered to help her decorate her reception hall for the wedding and I did so. I wasn’t much help other than light stuff because I couldn’t really use my right arm, but I did bring my mom to make sure they had enough help. She didn’t ask how I was that day, but it was her wedding day and I knew she was stressed out so it didn’t really bother me. I went to the wedding and gave them a gift. I figured once she got back from her honeymoon she would be less stressed and we could talk about the bills. Well, she has been back for two weeks now and is totally avoiding me. I am out about $150 for co-pays, supplies and prescriptions and would like that money back. I never even consider that I might have to sue her to get the money but now I am not so sure. Everyone is telling me I have been way too nice and that I should get a lawyer. Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? Thanks!

 

[Princess~Fun]

Well first of all, yes, you are being too nice about it. I would go to her house, and actually talk about it, don't even tell her your coming, just pop by. If she dosen't respond to that and continues to ignore you, I would highly reccomend getting a lawyer if It means that much to you.

 

[p2oh]

I will never go to her house again, she has two pitt bulls and if I never see a dog again it will be too soon. If it were just $150 I would probably just suck it up but I haven't even gotten the ER bill yet.

 

[golfgal]

Her homeowners insurance will cover the costs if she doesn't so I wouldn't worry about suing her just yet. I would send her a copy of all your bills and a note saying this is what you have for expenses from the dog bit and if she has any morals she will send you a check. If not then you may need to seek further action.

 

[MushyMushy]

Why did your insurance even pay it? Does your friend have homeowner's insurance? She should be paying the whole thing!

 

[mtemm]

have you told her the amount yet? If I'm reading your post right, its sounds to me that you left it that you didn't have the amount yet, then once you did, you didn't want to bother her because of her wedding. now that she is back, I know you said she is avoiding you, but it might be more that she is playing catch-up after having been gone. Maybe go to her desk at a slow time, or ask her to meet up with you for lunch or the like. you might want to have a copy of your receipts or the like, just in case she questions the amount.

good luck! personally, I can't imagine suing over $150. and I think if you do, I think you might want to document the times you have spoken/sent stuff in writing to her about it (and not just in vague terms, in actual, this has cost $150, when can I expect payment stuff).

 

[hlbtimes2]

In my experience, people suck, and you should either plan on paying it or sueing her. My dd8 (7 at the time) was at a sleepover in June. Another guest got mad and threw something at dd. It hit her in the head and required 7 stitches. The host family did follow up to see if she was ok, but never offered a dime to cover the apprx. $150 in bills we paid. The parents of the child that threw the item never called to find out how dd was. The did NOTHING, which I found odd. Someone suggested that they didnt do anything because if they admit fault I could sue them.

 

[poohandwendy]

I would write her a letter and tell her you have been trying to get in touch with her regarding this. I would not get into a legal battle until you are absolutely sure she is unwilling to work this out. (actually, if it ends up only being 150 and she still blows you off, I wouldn't sue, I would just drop her as a friend)

 

[crazyforgoofy]

At this point you can still 'assume' she plans to pay so send her a note and a copy of the bills. Tell her what your insurance has paid, tell her you hate to turn it over to her homeowners insurance or contact the police to report the bite (which may be required by law) because you know it could cause her problems and that you'll settle for the $150. Suggest she either get rid of the dog(s) or do more to protect guests before someone is hurt even worse. You'll soon find out how good a friend she really is.

 

[RNMOM]

If I am not mistaken, dog bites have to be reported to the authorities. Was this dog put in quarentine? Nothing was done about having a "dangerous" ie, dog that bites, in a residential community? Around here there would have been a big stink and the dog would have been taken for quarentine. Many communities don't allow pit bulls here and a lot of insurance companies don't cover owners of pit bulls and a few other breeds.

 

[p2oh]

It was reported at the hospital because it is the law, she lied to the ER and told them she only has one pitt bull when she actually has two in a one bedroom apartment. The dog was quarantined for seven days and I told Animal Control I didn't object to her quaranting the dog at home so she wouldn't have to be taken away. The $150 I am not really worried about, it is the ER bill that is yet to come because I haven't had met my deductible for the year so it will be at least $1000 plus 20% of whatever else it costs. I have pretty much written her off as a friend because she is not the person I thought she was. I am the only one that has not received a Thank You note for the wedding present and she won't return my calls or emails.

 

[doxdogy]

I would send everything to her certified or registered mail with a return receipt requested. If you are going to be out over $1,000 you may want to leave your other options opened.

 

[dmslush]

Give it time for all of your bills to come in. Then gather them together, figure out how much you are out and send her a letter stating that these bills have started rolling in and are due on such and such day. I see that you say she lives in an apartment, so I am assuming that she doesn't have homeowner's insurance.

 

[RitaZ.]

I was in a similar situation when I was bit by a dog. The owner called me after I went to the ER and she asked if she owed us $ for anything. My DH is the one that talked to her and told her that insurance would cover it. She never brought up anything about money after that. I was too nice to the owner, I even felt guilty about reporting her to Animal Control. I talked to DH about asking the owners for $ reimbursement, but he said to just put it behind us and forget it. Our out of pocket $ included a $75 co-pay & meds. I know that the owner was worried about being sued, something that I wouldn't consider in my situation. My out of pocket costs were minimal, but if it had been as much as what you are facing, I would have pursued reimbursement from the owners.

If a person is going to have a dog, they should be responsible about it. Part of that involves paying for medical costs if their dog should bite a person. Good luck!

 

[cherylp3]

To the people that mention homeowners: the op's "friend" does not want to file a claim with her homeowners -because it is likely with pit bulls that her insurance carrier would drop her insurance.

Also to the OP, depending upon the amount you may be able to go to small claims and try the case that way if possible. I would also wait until all the bills come in and then file, but send letters in the meantime.

Cheryl

 

[PaulaSue]

I would call her with the bill amounts and tell her you will send her a hard copy and need the $$ by a certain due date to pay them.

How is your arm now?

 

[cassie]

T]

Also to the OP, depending upon the amount you may be able to go to small claims and try the case that way if possible. I would also wait until all the bills come in and then file, but send letters in the meantime.

Cheryl

I agree with Cheryl. Wait for all the bills to come in and take it to small claims court...no lawyer needed for that. My cat bit me on my wrist and it swelled up. My doc didn't have a tetnus shot handy so I had to go to the er for one. They reported the cat bite to the animal control who followed up with me. She checked with my vet to see if he had a current rabies shot (which he had) then quaranteined him in my house for 2 weeks. He's a house cat My town takes any bite seriously.