Dog Bite Lawyer in West Chester, PA

There are over 4.5 million dog bites each year in the United States, with 800,000 of those bites requiring medical attention. Children younger than 2 years old accounted for approximately 26% of all dog bite fatality victims. Unlike some other types of personal injury accidents like a slip, trip, and fall, dog bites often result in an emotionally and physically traumatizing experience. They can also result in a financially overburdening situation due to unexpected medical bills and lost wages. If you or a loved one were attacked by a dog or another animal in Pennsylvania, ask our dog bite lawyer in West Chester, PA, for help. At Law Offices Bernard M. Gross, P.C., we understand how difficult it can be for a victim or a family who has suffered a loss due to a dog bite. Physically, victims often deal with severe lacerations, disfigurement, nerve damage, broken bones, and torn muscle, tendons, or ligaments. Infections are common too, which can be extremely painful and take weeks to fully heal. These injuries and the trauma of the event can also take a huge emotional toll on a victim, resulting in extreme anxiety, fear, and even depression—all normal responses to a vicious animal attack. Combined with the financial ramifications due to new medical bills and lost wages, this is why our dog bite attorneys in West Chester, PA, offer FREE consultations to advise victims and their families of their rights.

Liability in a Dog Bite Case in Pennsylvania

Dog bite law in the United States is divided between several types of statutory schemes. Each type of law requires a victim to establish a different level of proof—usually regarding the owner’s knowledge about whether the dog had a propensity to cause harm. Pennsylvania has a dual-track system. Dog owners are strictly liable for medical bills of dog bite victims, no matter whether the owner knew or should have known that the dog could bite or another animal could attack. The fact that it occurred means that the owner is liable. This does not, however, include pain and suffering. But when an animal attack results in a “severe injury” such as a broken bone or a disfiguring laceration requiring stitches or surgery, a victim may be able to file a personal injury action against the dog owner or handler.

Damages in a Dog Bite Case

The term “damages” is the measure of relief that a party may be entitled to in a lawsuit. That is usually monetary compensation in a dog bite case. There are various grounds to recover financial compensation, including the following: – Pain and suffering – Medical bills – Lost wages – Loss of future earnings if unable to work in the same job – Loss of consortium – Punitive damages – Wrongful death damages, and – Other types of compensation related to an animal attack or dog bite in West Chester, PA.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Case?

There is no requirement to have a lawyer for a dog bite or animal attack case in Pennsylvania. However, it is highly recommended that you do. Although it may seem obvious that you were bitten and attacked by an animal, insurance adjusters and defense lawyers will do everything in their power to ensure that you do not recover the compensation you deserve. Most times, this means using one of the most common defenses to an animal attack, such as 1) you were trespassing, and 2) you provoked the attack. Both of these are strong defenses and may even be spun in such a way that you believe them. However, remember that if you were in a public area or invited to private property, you were not trespassing. And petting, giving a treat, walking near, playing with, or talking to a dog are all actions that are not considered to be adequate provocation. Moreover, most homeowners insurance policies will create artificial hurdles in submitting a claim. Sometimes they will even claim they did not know about a dog and disclaim, or argue, they did not know about the animal’s specific breed, which would have increased premiums. These are all issues that may seem plausible but really should not prevent you from recovering compensation.