what should I do about my /neighbor if he claims that he was hurt and missed work due to my dog chasing him?
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what should I do about my /neighbor if he claims that he was hurt and missed work due to my dog chasing him?
I just moved into my home 3 months ago. I have a neighbor who said that my dog came running at him and he fell trying to get away. This same neighbor came over the next day and told my husband how he had surgery on one of his hips and was about to have surgery on the other, the one he said that he hurt trying to get away from my dog. About a week later, the neighbor came back to my house and said that he had to miss the whole week from work and that basically he wanted us to give him $500 for the week of work he missed. That same neighbor just came over again asking what we were going to do. We explained that we have all our money invested in our home, my husband has not worked in a few months and that I am the only one working. What should I do?
Asked on August 27, 2016 under Personal Injury, South Carolina
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Your neighbor needs to document his injury and wage loss.
You need to see medical bills and medical reports. Of course, even the medical report might not prove that he fell trying to get away from your dog.
You also need to see documentation of wage loss from his employer that your neighbor actually missed a week of work and the reason for his absence.
Where was he chased by your dog? If this occurred on your property, you can refer the matter to your homeowner's insurance carrier which will handle it for you.
If it did not occur on your property, you would be liable for negligence as the dog owner. If you have any other insurance that may be applicable, you should contact your insurance company; however, prior to contacting an insurance company, you should obtain documentation of his injury and wage loss as discussed above or you can have the insurance company do it for you.
Tell your neighbor that you need documentation of his injury, and that he needs to provide his medical bill, doctor's medical report, and documentation of wage loss from his employer which should include the reason stated why he missed work.
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