If you are attacked and bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to
damages for the injuries you suffer. Although some dogs are known to be
more prone to biting than others, when you are bitten it does not matter
what the breed is. All dogs have sharp teeth.Pennsylvania, like all
states, has a time limit in which to file a personal injury action.
Different rules apply to different situations, so it is best to obtain
legal representation immediately to make sure you are covered and do not
miss the deadlines.
You should act now to speak to an attorney who can help you. When a
dog bite occurs, records must be obtained, photos must be taken and the
appropriate claims must be reported to the insurance companies involved.
The longer you wait, the harder it is to take control of the situation.
The claim for damages is handled by the homeowners’ insurance policy
maintained by the dog owner. Close to one third of claims against
homeowners’ policies are for dog bite attacks. The dog owner is
responsible for the behavior of the dog. There is no need to worry if
the owner is a neighbor or a friend...the insurance company handles the
matter for them. This is why we all have homeowners’ policies and this
is why we pay our premiums.
The damages involved can include the medical expenses, current and
future, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement and scarring and
emotional damages. The emotional damages from a dog bite can be
devastating. Most scars require at least a year for a doctor to
determine the course of treatment and whether the scar is permanent and
requires plastic surgery.
Children are subject to dog bites and are particularly vulnerable to
bites around the head and face. They simply do not know how to protect
themselves. The emotional trauma to them will last a lifetime. Treatment
for a child may have to wait even longer than a year.
Pennsylvania has a hybrid approach to liability. There is strict
liability for all damages incurred if the dog previously exhibited
dangerous behavior or if the injuries are severe. There is also strict
liability for medical bills. Other circumstances giving rise to liability
occur where the owner was negligent or violated the animal control law,
which requires that owners keep their dogs under control, either
confined at home, or on a leash when away from the home.
Important Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
Seek immediate medical attention — even if it seems like a minor
bite-this is especially important if the dog is not current on shots.
Take photographs of all injuries, even before there is cleanup of the
wounds, and after cleanup of the wounds. See this page for instruction
on taking photos:
http://www.jjsassoc.net/Preserving_Evidencel.htm
Gather information from witnesses, if there were any. Get names,
addresses, and phone numbers
Report the matter immediately to the police. This creates a record
of the incident.
Obtain the dog's veterinarian records about shots, diseases and
other medical history.
Do not try to negotiate with the animal's owner privately. Make
sure that the claim is directed to their homeowner’s insurer. It is
best not to engage in conversations with the owner.
Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible
