Pennsylvania and New Jersey Dog Bite Laws
Dog bite lawyer Jeffrey H. Penneys, Esq. is an expert on Pennsylvania laws for dog attacks, handling dog attack cases throughtout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Areas of Practice
Dog Bite Lawsuits and Dog Bite Settlements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
How is a dog bite legal claim evaluated? The following information provides a general guideline for how our attorneys evaluate a dog bite claim. Please keep in mind: all cases are unique and may require different evaluation techniques.
What is the liability of a dog owner if their dog causes injury or damages?
In most cases, a dog owner's homeowners' insurance policy pays for injuries in the event of a dog bite. Each year, dog bites account for nearly 33% of all homeowners' liability claims.
If you have been injured in a Dog Bite/Attack, call me immediately to schedule a free consultation.
Pet owners are legally responsible for the behavior of their dogs. In most dog-bite cases, the dog's owner will be required to pay all medical bills, and lost wages associated with a dog attack. Sometimes, however, the dog's "keeper," or the person who was taking care of the animal at the time of the attack, may be held liable. Liabilities may include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical expenses.
- Medical expenses associated with a dog bite can be extremely costly, especially in the event of a scarring injury.
- Lost income from work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional injuries
- Property damage
- Disfigurement due to scarring
Scars can be a serious, life-long result of a dog bite. Children are particularly susceptible to bites around the head and face. Scars are more than physical injuries. They can also cause emotional injuries such as trauma and fear. Scars may require additional plastic surgery which may need to be delayed until after the scar matures, usually about a year. In the case of a child, plastic surgery may need to wait until the child is finished growing.
How is liability proven in dog bite cases?
To prove that an owner of a dog is responsible for an injury due to a dog attack or dog bite, negligence must be proven. Some ways to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner include:
- Proving that the dog was "at large" when it bit or attacked its victim. In other words, the dog was running loose off of the property of the owner.
- Proving that the victim was attacked or bitten while the victim was lawfully on the dog owner's property. It must additionally be proven that:
- The dog had a history of unprovoked attacks.
- The victim was not informed of the dangerous nature of the dog.
- The owner did not protect the victim from the dog. "Beware of Dog" signs are evidence that the owner was aware of the dangerous nature of the dog and failed to take precautions to ensure the dog did not attack persons who were lawfully on the dog owner's property.
How is the extent of injuries from dog bites proven?
In order to receive damages, or money payment, for injuries due to a dog bite or dog attack, the following may need to be proven:
- Evidence of pain and suffering shown by photos of the bites or injuries due to the attack.
- Cost of initial medical treatment and procedures shown by obtaining medical records and bills.
- Evidence of permanent scarring shown by photos taken one year after the attack.
- Cost of future surgical revision as explained by a plastic surgeon in his narrative report.
- Description of permanent scarring as explained by a plastic surgeon in his narrative report.
- Psychological damages as noted in a psychologist's report, if applicable.
- Contact me if you think you have a possible dog bite lawsuit - Let me help you with your Dog Bite Lawsuit.
JEFFREY HARLAN PENNEYS, ESQ. THE DOG ATTACK LAWYER
IS AVAILABLE 24/7/365.
I may be reached either on my cel phonel: 1-800InjuryLaw
or via my online dog bite case review form
If you or a loved one needs help understanding Dog Bite Laws, contact the premier dog bite attorney in Pennsylvania and New Jersey Attorney Jeffrey Harlan Penneys.