According to data from Pawlicy Advisor, nearly two out of every five Pennsylvania households own at least one dog. While dogs are a significant source of comfort and companionship for some, aggressive and untrained dogs pose a safety risk. A bite from any dog can cause extensive physical trauma and psychological scarring.
Fortunately, dog bite victims in Monroeville have the right to recover financial compensation from the dogs’ owners. If you have an injury from a dog bite, the attorneys at DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, are here to assist. We can pursue compensation from the owner to pay for your medical bills and any other losses you have suffered. We can’t hold dogs responsible for their behavior, but we can hold owners accountable for putting others in harm’s way.
Contact our offices today at (412) 434-1400 to speak to a dog bite injury lawyer serving Monroeville.
Dogs have a powerful bite force proportional to the size of their heads. The sheer crushing force of a bite can damage tissue and fracture bone. Dogs also have sharp, irregular teeth that create gouges, punctures, and tear wounds that can damage nerve tissue and impact sensitivity in the victim’s skin.
The rough, asymmetrical character of dog bite injuries means they often leave behind highly visible scarring and disfigurement that could require extensive reconstructive surgery. Moreover, about one-fifth of dog bites result in bacterial infections that cause swelling, redness, oozing, and fever.
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale is a common tool for classifying dog bites based on severity. It comprises six levels from least to most severe:
Level 1: Aggressive behavior without skin-on-teeth contact
Level 2: Skin-on-teeth contact but no wounds penetrating the skin
Level 3: One to four puncture wounds no deeper than half the length of the dog’s tooth
Level 4: One to four puncture wounds with gouges deeper than half the length of the dog’s tooth, typically accompanied by deep bruising and lacerations.
Level 5: Multiple Level 4 injuries sustained in a single attack
Level 6: Fatal dog attack
Even minor bite wounds can cause significant medical complications, so you should always see a doctor after a Monroeville dog bite, even if the injuries seem small.
No, Pennsylvania does not have a one-bite rule for dog bites. Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Statutes Section 459-502(b)(1) clearly states that dog bite owners are automatically liable for paying the entire medical costs of dog bite injuries, regardless of whether the dog has bitten someone before. As such, Pennsylvania is a strict liability state for dog bites, and bite victims do not have to prove negligence to recover any medical costs they incurred due to the bite.
Strict liability for dog bites in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, only entitles the victim to recover the medical cost of injuries after a dog bite. Strict liability claims will not cover other losses, like lost income or pain and suffering. However, Pennsylvania common law allows dog bite victims to recover additional compensation through a negligence-based personal injury claim.
In order to make a negligence claim for a Monroeville dog bite, the bite victim has to show both that the dog displayed vicious behaviors and that the owner failed to control the dog.
For example, say an owner has a large dog that they know tends to growl and lunge at strangers. One day, a guest comes over, and the unleashed dog lunges and bites them. The victim could claim the dog owner was negligent because they knew the dog displayed aggressive behaviors and did not reasonably restrain it.
Pennsylvania also has laws concerning the control and registration of dangerous dogs. 3 P.S. Sec. 459-502-A defines a dangerous dog as one that has inflicted a severe injury in the past without provocation or has a history of attacking domestic pets. Section 459-503-A further clarifies that dangerous owners must register dangerous dogs and carry a $50,000 minimum liability policy for dog attacks. If a dog owner does not restrain a designated dangerous dog and it causes injury, the owner can be guilty of negligence per se and be responsible for compensating the victim for any injuries.
The type of compensation you can recover after a dog bite in Monroeville depends on whether you make a strict liability or negligence claim. Under a strict liability dog bite claim, you can only recover the cost of medical treatment, like emergency care, hospitalization bills, and surgery costs.
Under a negligence claim, you can recover compensation for a broader range of losses, such as lost income, reduced earning potential, and other out-of-pocket expenses. You can also receive compensation for intangible losses with a negligence dog bite claim, such as pain and suffering or disfigurement.
Your attorney can assess your case and determine whether a strict liability or negligence claim would maximize your chances of recovering financial compensation.
Dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite injury is challenging, especially considering how bite trauma can impact your employment and daily functioning. You need a competent attorney who will take care of legal matters so you can focus on healing. DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, has recovered millions for our injured clients, and we want to speak to you next.
Our team collectively has over six decades of experience in personal injury law, with an emphasis on personalized legal services. Every case is different and requires a unique approach. We only work with personal injury victims, so we can focus all our knowledge and resources on helping clients with injury cases. Our small firm size means we can provide a degree of care and dedication that larger firms cannot.
A serious injury can put you at your lowest point. You might fear the future and feel as if you will never get your life back. But you are not alone, and relief is available. DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, will stand behind you every step of the way to protect your interests and well-being.
Contact our office online or reach out at (412) 434-1400 today. We can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your Monroeville dog bite case.
You can reach our Pittsburgh office from anywhere in the state using these directions. We’re located at 428 Boulevard of the Allies on the first floor.
Take I-279 S towards 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. Destination will be on the right.
Take I-376 W towards Pittsburgh. Take exit 71A for Grant St. Turn left onto Grant St. Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies. Destination will be on the right.
Take I-376 W towards Pittsburgh. Take exit 71A for Grant St. Turn left onto Grant St. Turn left onto Boulevard of the Allies. Destination will be on the right.
Take I-376 E towards Pittsburgh. Take exit 69C for Boulevard of the Allies. Merge onto Boulevard of the Allies. Destination will be on the right.
