Last year alone State Farm Insurance paid more than $109 million on more than 3,500 injury claims involving dog bites. According to the Insurance Information Institute more than $470 million in dog bite claims were paid by all insurance companies in 2011.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and more than half of the victims are children.  Most attacks come from the family dog or the dog of a neighbor or friend.

The ASPCA recommends several things children should avoid to reduce the risks of being bitten by a dog. Children should be taught to never stare into a dog’s eyes, tease a dog, approach a chained dog, touch an off-leash dog, run or scream if approached by a loose dog, play with a dog while it is eating or touch a dog while it is sleeping. If a loose dog comes close, children should stand very still and be very quiet. Always ask a dog’s owner for permission to pet it and let the dog sniff your closed hand before you start touching it.

For over 50 years the experienced attorneys at Hoffman & Gelfman have helped individuals receive the compensation they are entitled to. If you or someone you care about has been attacked or bitten by a dog, contact the St. Louis dog bite attorneys toll free at (866) 298-1020 for a free consultation.