Have you been bitten by a dog? You are not alone and a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer can help you. We have handled lots of dog bite cases and understands the emotional and physical damage that can be caused by a dog attack. We can speak on your behalf so you don’t need to relive the incident with the owner of the dog, insurance company adjusters, police, or prosecutors. This will help to minimize the emotional trauma and keep you from having to worry that whatever you say will be twisted around and used against you.
Every case is different, but a typical recovery would include compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. We have experience making sure that your claim is presented to the insurance companies in the best light available under the facts of your case – so that your rights are upheld. Most importantly, we know how to handle this complicated process, so that you can focus on your recovery. We have seen every type of dog bite case you can imagine – and then some. So other than your unique injuries, there is not likely to be anything in your case that we have not dealt with before.
What should you do if you or a loved one is bitten by a dog?
The following is a list of steps that will prove to be invaluable in the recovery process.
- Identify the dog and its owner. The main reason you want to do this is to be sure the dog is up to date on vaccinations. If it is not, or you aren’t sure, then you may need to get a series of rabies shots.
- Get medical attention. You want to get medical attention as quickly as you can. Dog bites can get infected easily. It is important you get the necessary attention to ensure your health and safety.
- Have a police report made. This will assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.
- Contact Fairlie and Lippy. With our experience with dog laws, we can assist you as you go through the healing process.
- Take high quality pictures of everything. Pictures of any and all injuries sustained as well as ripped clothing can help us as we assist you. Continue to chronicle you or your loved one’s injuries with pictures as they heal.
- Lastly, get as much contact and insurance information from the dog owner as you can.
Who is liable when a dog attack happens?
Under Pennsylvania law, the owner of a dog is always responsible and liable for the actions of his or her dog. In some cases the person handling the dog can also be liable. If a dog attacks a person or another domestic animal, then the owner is liable for all injuries that occur. However, the owner may not be liable if the victim:
- was trespassing on private property; or
- was provoking or abusing the dog; or
- had abused the dog in the past
As a victim of a dog bite, what type of compensation do you deserve?
The exact circumstances of you or your loved one’s situation will determine what type of compensation you deserve, but generally our clients are able to receive compensation for several broad areas. You may be able to receive compensation to cover any medical bills that occur as a result of a dog bite. This can include the initial medical visit as well as cosmetic surgery to remove scars that are a result of the dog attack.
You may also be entitled to receive compensation for missed wages that result from you or your loved one’s inability to work. Lastly, you may be able to receive compensation for any emotional hardship that results from the dog bite.
Why do you need to talk to a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer?
One of the most important considerations at the outset of any dog bite case is whether there will be insurance coverage. It is much easier to recover damages from an insurance company than an uninsured individual.
Many times the owner of the dog doesn’t want to notify their insurance carrier of the claim. What they don’t realize is that if they don’t notify the carrier the carrier doesn’t have to defend the claim. This can involve not just the cost of any verdict or settlement against them, but also the cost of retaining and paying an attorney to defend the claim. We help make sure the defendant understands that it is in their best interest, as well as ours, for them to notify their insurance company.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog each year. Young children, age 5-9, are the most likely to be bitten by a dog and such attacks can affect a child for the rest of his or her life. Dog bites can result in nerve damage and excessive scarring. While these physical ailments are horrific, the mental scarring to a victim’s peace of mind can be even worse.
Contact Us
With our experience with dog bite cases and dog bite law, we can work on your behalf to get the compensation that you need in order to effectively heal from this experience. We will work with the insurance companies on your behalf so you can focus on the important task of healing.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, please contact a Norristown, Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer from Fairlie & Lippy. We can investigate your claim and help you obtain the best recovery possible for you or your loved one’s injuries.
