Dog Injury Claim Results in $300,000 Settlement after Serious Hip Injury

Personal Injury Attorney Nicole Wells secured a $300,000 homeowners insurance settlement for Emily, a Wisconsin woman who suffered a fractured right femur and required a total hip replacement after a neighborhood dog charged toward her leashed dogs. Although no dog bite occurred, the incident caused a devastating fall on a blacktop roadway and became the basis of a successful dog injury claim. The result provided meaningful financial recovery and accountability after an event that changed Emily’s mobility, work, and daily life.

A Routine Walk Turns into a Medical Emergency

Emily and her husband Mark were walking their two dogs on leashes along a neighborhood street with no sidewalks. As they proceeded down the road, a large dog ran aggressively from a nearby backyard and headed toward their dogs. The sudden confrontation caused the leashed animals to react. In the confusion, Emily fell onto the pavement and immediately experienced severe pain in her right hip. A witness was present, the dog’s owner came outside, and emergency responders were called to the scene.

Emily was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where imaging revealed a severe fracture of her right femur. Within days, she underwent a right total hip arthroplasty. After discharge, she returned home to begin a difficult recovery using a walker and managing ongoing pain. She also needed time away from her remote job. The injury affected not only Emily, but also Mark, who became deeply involved in helping her find legal representation and protecting her interests during a vulnerable period.

A Dog Injury Claim Does Not Require a Bite

Many people assume that a dog-related injury case must involve teeth or a bite wound. Emily’s experience shows why that assumption can be misleading. A dog may cause serious harm by knocking someone down, charging at a person or another animal, or creating a sudden hazard that leads to a fall or collision. Under Wisconsin’s strict liability law (Wisconsin Statute § 174.02), dog owners are financially responsible for any property damage or serious injuries they cause that may be in ways other than bites. When evaluating a dog injury claim, the specific sequence of events, the dog owner’s conduct, witness information, medical records, and available insurance coverage can all be important.

Prompt documentation can help preserve the story of what happened. In this case, emergency medical treatment, the responding officer and ambulance, the witness at the property, and the dog owner’s presence after the incident helped establish the circumstances surrounding Emily’s fall. Her surgery and follow-up care also demonstrated the seriousness of the harm. These details allowed Nicole to present a clear account of the incident and its consequences while pursuing compensation through the applicable homeowners insurance policy. Read more in our article, Preventing Dog Bites and Protecting Your Rights: A Wisconsin Dog Bite Lawyer’s Guide

Responsive Personal Injury Support from the First Call

Before contacting BGR, Mark called other law firms but could not speak directly with an attorney. When he reached BGR, paralegal Julie connected him with Nicole right away. Nicole then met with Emily and Mark in person in their home. That early accessibility gave the couple confidence that their concerns would be heard and that their case would receive personal attention. The couple told Nicole that they knew the minute she started speaking with them that Emily felt at ease and comfortable pursuing a dog injury lawsuit. Throughout the case, Nicole and the team focused on clear communication, careful case development, and supporting the family through the legal process.

Nicole ultimately achieved a $300,000 settlement under the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy. The recovery recognized the severity of Emily’s fractured femur, hip replacement, pain, reduced mobility, time away from work, and the broader disruption to her life. For Emily and Mark, the settlement represented an important measure of accountability and a practical step toward moving forward after a traumatic injury.

What Injured People Can Learn From This Result

A serious dog-related injury can create immediate medical, financial, and practical concerns. Seeking treatment, identifying witnesses, preserving photographs, reporting the incident, and keeping insurance and medical documents may help protect important evidence. An attorney can assess the circumstances, identify potential sources of coverage, and explain the options that may be available for a Dog injury claim—even when the dog did not bite the injured person.

If you or a loved one was seriously hurt because of a dog’s actions, BGR can help you understand the next steps. Call or text our office at 715-425-8161 to speak with our personal injury team and discuss the facts of your potential dog injury claim and learn how we may be able to help.