Although they’re known as man’s best friend, dogs can cause serious injuries if their owners don’t properly train them or fail to follow Pennsylvania’s dangerous dog laws. In addition to long-term disability and permanent scarring, dog bites can also leave victims in a financial hole.
The good news is that dog bite victims can seek compensation for their injuries through personal injury claims. A successful claim will prove that the dog’s owner is liable for the injured party’s bite or attack-related losses.
If you suffered a dog bite injury in Ross Township, contact DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, at (412) 434-1400 today for a free consultation. Our dog bite attorneys will review your case, go over your legal options, and walk you through the personal injury claims process.
The severity of dog bite injuries often depends on the size and breed of the dog, with larger and more aggressive breeds being able to cause more damage. However, even a bite from a smaller dog can result in injuries that require medical treatment. Some of the most common injuries caused by dog bites include:
Nerve Damage – When a dog bites you, its teeth can compress nerves, leading to temporary damage, or sever them entirely, which may lead to permanent damage. These injuries often involve extensive physical therapy treatments.
Broken Bones – The bite force from a dog’s jaws can break bones, especially in the hands. These injuries typically require extensive recovery periods and may impact your ability to work.
Lacerations – Dogs have sharp teeth that can cause deep puncture and tear wounds, requiring stitches.
Scarring – Even after medical professionals stitch up lacerations, they can result in permanent scarring. Scarring, especially on the face, can lead to emotional harm.
Infection – Any time an animal bites you, there’s a risk of infection. While getting rabies from a dog bite is extremely rare in the U.S., it can still happen. However, there are also more common infections that can cause serious damage if not treated.
After a dog bite, there are a few steps you should take to protect your health and your right to seek compensation for your injuries. You should:
Report the Incident – Always report a dog bite to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement so they can quarantine the dog pending medical tests to make sure it doesn’t have any dangerous diseases. This is also the bureau responsible for investigating dog bite incidents. Failure to report the bite could harm your personal injury claim.
Follow Up with Medical Treatment – Beyond seeking immediate medical treatment, it’s vital that you attend all follow-up appointments and continue with your treatment. Doing so not only puts your health first but also makes it harder for the other party to claim your injuries are not as severe as you say. Nearby hospitals where you can seek treatment include UPMC Mercy in Uptown, UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland, and Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.
Collect Medical Bills and Invoices – Keep all medical bills and invoices you receive so your attorney can use them to calculate the compensation the dog owner owes you for your medical expenses.
Consult a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer – A dog bite injury lawyer can assist you with all aspects of your injury claim, from investigating the incident to negotiating with the dog owner’s insurance company to seeking the maximum compensation available in court. The earlier you contact an attorney, the earlier they can begin gathering evidence and working on your case.
In Pennsylvania, dogs are personal property, which means owners are responsible for the harm their dogs cause. PA uses a limited form of strict liability for dog bites, which states that owners must cover the bite victim’s medical costs regardless of whether the owner had prior knowledge of their dog’s dangerous behavior.
To seek additional compensation beyond medical expenses, you may need to prove liability in one of the following ways:
Leash Law Violations – While there is no state-wide leash law, dogs must be under control, which typically means they must be on a leash or restrained in some way when in public. There are also many local leash laws that a dog owner may be in violation of when their dog bites you.
Failure to Keep the Dog Restrained – Dogs should not be able to run freely without their owner present and in a position to restrain them if needed. This means owners should have physical or electric fences on their property to keep dogs from chasing and biting people.
Failure to Follow Dangerous Dog Rules – Owners with dogs that are known to be dangerous must take extra precautions to keep others in the community safe.
Failure to Warn of Aggressiveness – If someone has a dog they know is aggressive, they should post warning signs on their property and inform others of the dog’s aggressive nature when in public with it.
If you suffered an injury caused by a dog bite in Ross Township, you can seek various types of compensation. Injured people may be entitled to pursue compensation for:
Medical expenses related to the injury
Lost wages during your recovery period
Loss of future earning potential if you suffer a long-term injury
Physical pain and suffering
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Mental suffering and anguish
A dog bite attorney can assist you in calculating the extent of the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Under Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations, dog bite victims have two years to file their lawsuit for compensation. If you file your claim after the statutory period lapses, you will be unable to pursue compensation in court. For this reason, it’s essential that you speak with an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible so they can begin working on your case.
Did you suffer a dog bite injury in Ross Township? Contact the experienced dog bite attorneys of DelVecchio & Miller, LLC. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your case and explain your legal options for seeking compensation.
Follow the directions below to reach our Pittsburgh law office on the first floor of 428 Boulevard of the Allies.
Take I-279 S toward Pittsburgh
Take exit 1B for I-376 E/US-22 E/US-30 E
Take exit 71A for Grant St
Turn right onto Grant St
Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
The destination will be on the right
Take I-376 W toward Pittsburgh
Take exit 71A for Grant St
Turn left onto Grant St
Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
The destination will be on the right
Take I-376 W toward Pittsburgh
Take exit 71A for Grant St
Turn left onto Grant St
Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies
The destination will be on the right
Take I-376 E toward Pittsburgh
Take exit 69C for Boulevard of the Allies
Merge onto Boulevard of the Allies
The destination will be on the right
