Nebraska Court Affirms No Claim For Woman Bitten By Dog

The Nebraska Supreme Court says a woman who had part of her lower lip bitten off by a dog she was watching has no right to seek payment of medical expenses from dog owner’s home insurance company. Jennifer Van Kleek, of Omaha, agreed in July 2011 to care for the dog of friends without pay while they were on vacation. She filed a claim with Farmers Insurance Exchange, the friends’ homeowner’s insurance provider, after being bitten. Farmers denied her claim, saying that because she was caring for the dog, she was legally responsible for it and therefore considered an “insured” under the homeowner’s policy.