Last April, Envy Kalfayan was gearing up for another season of explosives detection. As a working canine, Envy was trained and capable in the field of explosives detection, man trailing, patrol searches, and patrol/protection. Envy was extensively successful in competition, competing in the US K9 Olympics, South American K9 Olympics, as well as several smaller scale competitions. Envy’s success in work and competition speaks to the quality of her genetics as well as her training. Envy was featured in an episode of America’s Top Dog, being selected over thousands of applicants. Tragically, Envy was involved in a car incident that highlighted the importance of proper advocacy, especially for a pet injured in car accident.
That all changed with a car accident. Although Envy was in a crash-tested travel crate, it was immediately apparent that she was injured in the collision. Envy demonstrated immediate limping on her right fore-limb, broken teeth, neurological head shaking, and an overall inability to work. Veterinary specialists in Seattle ultimately determined that Envy had suffered bilateral damage to her shoulders, including the supraspinatus and biceps tendons, more significant on the left. MRI imaging confirmed disc injuries to her C6-C7 disc and C6-T2. Envy underwent multiple procedures, including 5 hours of dental surgery to remove teeth and repair extensive damage. Envy was referred for epidural steroid injections for her disc injuries and platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections for her shoulders, along with months of physical therapy.
The injuries Envy sustained in the crash ultimately meant that she was medically retired from her role as aworking canine, and that she would be unable to breed in the future.
Adler Giersch was retained and immediately went to work to ensure that our client, her owner and handler, would be compensated not only for her own injuries, but also for the injuries to Envy. Similar to presenting a diminished value claim for a vehicle, we were able to show that the available insurance coverage should be tendered to Envy’s owner. We met with an expert in the field of Multi-Purpose Canines who was able to establish that Envy’s pre-crash value was over $250,000.00. Given her injuries, her new value was essentially that of a household pet.
For many, the reality of a pet injured in car accident leads to unexpected emotional and financial burdens. The involved insurance companies were initially skeptical about paying full policy limits, despite the expert valuation. Ultimately, it required filing of an Insurance Fair Conduct (IFCA) action to ensure that all the available coverage for Envy was paid out. While no amount will fix what Envy lost in the crash, it gives her owner some measure of comfort to know there are funds available should Envy’s condition worsen and she needs eventual surgery.
Today, Envy and her owner, Sophia, are moving forward with resilience.
“Envy and I have experienced a catastrophic loss as a result of the motor vehicle accident. Envy’s career ended abruptly at a young age and was replaced with repeated medical procedures and extensive physical therapy. With us both sharing injuries, it complicated an already difficult situation. I am grateful to have the continued support of Elisabeth Ruff and Jenny Iacobucci as Envy and I navigate this “new normal” of our lives. With every challenge faced in this process of battling repeated insurance issues, their support has been invaluable in the process. I hope that one day Envy and I will have the ability to look back on this situation and see that, while we have lost everything we built together, we have found a positive outcome from the destruction.” – Sophia.
We emphasize the importance of knowing your rights when your pet is injured in a car accident. Read this article to learn what you can do.
If you or someone you know is facing a unique personal injury situation, we encourage you to have a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We provide compassion, a sounding board, resources, and will help you set a plan for moving forward. Complete an Intake Form or give us a call at (206) 682-0300.
Get to know more about attorney, Elisabeth Ruff, and what makes her an excellent advocate.
