bns-featured-category domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/philadel/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131The post Can You Sue for a Dog Bite? appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Medical bills can add up quickly, and these should not fall on a victim or his family to pay. Philadelphia’s laws are structured so you can sue over a dog bite, even if the animal has no prior history of aggression. You may also wish to sue for a dog bite if you have extensive injuries that require a hospital stay, time away from work, or the attack left you with permanent scars.
The laws throughout the state of Pennsylvania tend to favor the victim, so it generally does not matter where the attack happened. Some states don’t allow claims when the dog was at the owner’s home or if the animal was otherwise confined, but Pennsylvania generally does not care where the attack took place. The victim also does not have to prove that the owner was negligent, as is the case in other states. Pennsylvania is a strict liability state, which means that the owner does not have to have done anything wrong to be held liable for his pet’s actions.
There are no steadfast rules as to what the courts will award. Medical bills are generally awarded in their entirety. However, those with severe injuries, which include scarring, may qualify for a higher level of compensation. Filing under these guidelines allows for awards that can include time away from work, damaged property, legal fees, pain and suffering, and more. The average insurance settlement sits at around $30,000, though yours could be considerably more or much less.
Don’t be left wondering, “Can you sue for a dog bite?” You can get the answers you need from an experienced and competent attorney for free right now. The professionals listed on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer have dedicated their practices to helping dog bite victims get the compensation they deserve, so they can rebuild and move on with their lives. Best of all, the dog bite lawyers offer no-obligation consultations, and they don’t ask for payments until they win a settlement for you. Take a moment to review the profiles listed here and reach out to the attorneys of your choice to request your free case evaluation today.
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]]>The post If a Dog Bites a Child, What Happens? appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Your attitude can make all the difference in the world in how your child responds to treatment and how he recovers emotionally after the incident. Above all else, try to remain calm, and make sure your child is taken to a safe environment.
Call 911 and/ or Perform First Aid: If the injuries are severe, call an ambulance right away. If not, you may perform first aid at home, including cleaning the wound, applying antibiotic ointment, and covering it. You may also apply pressure to help stop bleeding. After this, the child should be taken to a medical office for examination and treatment.
Contact the Authorities: The Philadelphia Police Department will conduct an investigation and file a report.
When a child is bitten by a dog, various injuries can occur. There are often scratches from the animal’s claws, as well as puncture wounds from its teeth. Some breeds have the tendency to shake their heads as they attack, which will tear the tissue and can cause immense amounts of damage. These areas are breeding grounds for bacteria and often become infected if not treated promptly. Stitches are commonly required to close up the wounds, after they are thoroughly cleaned by a medical professional. Some breeds also bite down with incredible force, and the pressure of this causes “crushing-type” injuries internally that may not be visible to the naked eye. They require immediate medical attention and specialized treatment. A dog bite on a kid should always be examined by a doctor right afterwards, so that the wounds heal properly and complications can be avoided.
Children are especially prone to emotional trauma resulting from an attack. It’s very common for kids to have PTSD-like symptoms and anxiety. They may become fearful of all pets, of places, or just be emotional in general. Counseling can help with this. Most kids are familiar with the dogs that attack them, and they often have fears over what will happen to the pet. Providing reassurance can help put these fears at ease. In Philadelphia, mandatory euthanasia is reserved only for very aggressive animals, though the dog will be quarantined and its actions will be scrutinized. The officer who investigates will decide where the quarantine occurs, and he may well allow the animal to stay with its owners, depending on the severity of the attack and the dog’s track record, but dangerous dogs will be transported elsewhere. Knowing these things can help a child cope, whether it’s reassurance that a family pet will not be taken away, or that a “bad dog” can no longer hurt anyone.
After the dust has settled and immediate medical needs are seen to, you will likely find yourself facing medical bills from the attack. If it was severe, you may also have future medical expenses, have to take time off work, and more. The state allows you to recoup these losses, so you can help your child move on and recover, without being burdened with the debts that come from it. If you’d like to find out what you can be compensated for, or would like to begin the process of recovering damages, contact any of the experienced attorneys featured on this site and request your free case evaluation today.
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]]>The post What to Do if Bitten by a Dog: Step by Step Guide appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>1) Your first step should always be to seek medical attention. Call 911 if it’s an emergency. If not, you can see your primary care physician or an urgent care facility. When a human is bitten by a dog, the chances of an infection are incredibly high, so it’s important to have the area properly cleaned and treated.
2) Contact the Philadelphia Police Department and file a report. An officer will be dispatched and he will conduct an investigation, file a report, and follow up on any criminal charges that may need to be filed.
3) Call the Division of Disease Control. Simply tell them, “I was bitten by a dog,” and they will ask questions about the animal to assess your risk for rabies. If you were bitten by dog with shots or a by a family pet, the risk is incredibly low, but if the animal was a stray, they may recommend prophylactic treatment in the form of a series of shots. They will also make a report of the attack.
4) If the animal is at large, contact Animal Care and Control. Although the agency will not remove an animal from its owner’s care unless the officer instructs them to, they will try to pick up a stray or an animal at large.
1) Retain an experienced attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. A competent attorney will walk you through the process and help ensure you do not suffer financially as a result of the attack.
2) File a claim or negotiate with the insurance company. Many cases never need to go to court, as insurance companies prefer to avoid the expense. However, they do not always offer a fair settlement and they may intentionally process a claim slow, so you miss the deadline for filing. Refer to your attorney on which methods are best.
You don’t need to figure out what to do if bitten by a dog on your own. The professionals listed on this site handle cases just like yours on a routine basis, and can ensure that you follow the correct procedures and receive a fair settlement. To get started, contact the attorney of your preference and request your free case evaluation today.
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]]>The post Dog Bite Injuries To Body Parts appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Dog bite injuries to body parts of the upper extremities, including the shoulder and arm are targeted around 13% of the time, though hands are injured 40% of the time. Victims often have injuries to their upper extremities as a result of fending off an attack. Scratches or abrasions are common, as are puncture wounds from teeth. Dogs can bite down with hundreds of pounds of pressure, which also results in “crushing” injuries that require debridement of the tissues before sutures can be placed. One study found that victims who received treatment right after their attack had about a 50% chance of having bacteria present in their wounds, whereas those who delayed treatment for 48 hours or more had bacteria present 100% of the time. Infection is a huge concern, and prevention requires immediate medical treatment.
Dog bite injuries to body parts of the lower extremities, including the hip, thigh, leg, and knee are far more prevalent and are found in more than 30% of people who seek medical treatment following an attack. Some general studies have estimated that 660,000 people are bitten in the lower extremities every year and around 60,000 receive foot injuries, though no studies have looked exclusively into lower extremity injuries by themselves.
Most of the time, head injuries involve the victim’s face. These injuries account for just shy of 10% of all dog bite-related injuries. The upper lip is a common target, though there are no hard statistics that show how many people are bitten in the upper lip each year. Face injuries are particularly problematic, not just because of the high potential for infection, but for the scarring that occurs. Sutures are common with facial injuries and people often need to undergo repeated surgeries to repair the damage and restore aesthetics.
The bills associated with doctor visits and hospital stays can climb very quickly, leaving victims weighed down with massive debts following dog bite injuries to body parts of any sort. Regardless of the cost, it’s imperative to seek medical attention right away, because it can reduce the chance of infection and lessen the amount of time in the hospital if a stay is necessary. Pennsylvania courts often award victims compensation to cover these bills, as well as reparations for damages, pain and suffering, and time away from work. If you or your child was attacked by someone’s pet, it’s important to retain an experienced Philadelphia dog bite attorney who will fight to ensure your family is not burdened with these costs. To find out what you may be entitled to, contact any of the professionals featured on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer and request your free consultation now.
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]]>The post Reporting a Dog Bite if Bitten by a Dog appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Dog bite treatment should be your first priority if you’re trying to determine what to do if bitten by a dog. Infection is a very serious risk, as bacteria is present in at least 50% of dog bite cases. Puncture wound and dog bite nerve damage treatments are also necessary. Some dogs can bite down with as much as 600 pounds of pressure per square inch, causing crush-type injuries. These require special attention which must occur immediately after the attack in order to speed up the healing process and avoid long-term damage or ongoing issues.
There are many agencies you’ll need to get in touch with to report the incident. Each one handles a different aspect of the case, so it’s important to contact them all.
Animal Care and Control: Philadelphia Animal Control should be contacted if the animal was roaming freely, though they will not take an animal from its owners unless instructed to do so by the authorities. You can report a stray or unrestrained pet on their website.
Division of Disease Control: The Division of Disease Control is the agency that logs all bite reports and will assess your risk for rabies. You can report your incident by calling them at 215-685-6748.
Philadelphia Police Department: It’s important to file a police report for a couple of reasons. First, the police will investigate, collect information, and will compile a report that may be beneficial if you file a claim later, so can receive compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Secondly, the animal’s owner may have violated laws that the authorities will want to pursue. For example, animal leash laws or dangerous dog statutes may come into play. These breeches of the law will be followed up wholly by the authorities, whereas you’ll be responsible for filing a separate claim for compensation. Check the police department website to locate the correct non-emergency number for your district.
Determining what to do if bitten by a dog can seem confusing because there are a lot of steps to take at a time when you are likely dealing with a medical crisis and trying to manage all your normal responsibilities at the same time. The good news is that you do not need to go through it alone. The professionals listed on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer handle cases just like yours every single day and will stand by you every step of the way. Unlike other attorneys, they do not ask for money up front, even as they’re guiding you through the process. Instead, they help you file a claim and wait until you receive a settlement, which typically includes full coverage for your legal fees on top of reparations for things like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. To get started, select an attorney from this site and request your free consultation today.
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]]>The post How to Prevent Dog Attacks appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Training is imperative in preventing dog bites. Dogs of all ages can be trained not to attack, simply by teaching them not to respond in an aggressive manner to stimulus. For instance, many pets have the ingrained instinct to chase and hunt, and it’s common for an animal to treat a human jogger exactly the same as it would a wild animal in the woods. It’s the owner’s responsibility to pick up on cues that the animal may respond aggressively and to train it not to react in this way.
Spending more time with humans can also reduce dog aggression. It’s widely known that unsocialized pets are far more likely to attack, especially those that are chained outdoors for long periods of time.
Confinement and leashes play a role as well. Ultimately, the pet owner has a responsibility to keep the animal on his property and to have his dog on a leash any time it is off his property. The city ordinances mandate this too, and pet owners who violate the laws may be fined.
Teach your children how to prevent dog bites. The majority of victims are children, especially small ones. They are also the most vulnerable when it comes to injuries.
Stay away from animals that are acting aggressively, territorially, or are actively fighting.
Watch for signs of aggression or nervousness. Some signs, such as growling, a stiff body, or a pulled-back head, are obvious, but others may require a keen eye.
Knowing how to prevent dog attacks is important, but the techniques mentioned here may not always be effective. They also cannot help you if someone’s vicious or untrained pet is not restrained. Animals can and will attack in public places, and may even come into your yard or home if the owner is not behaving responsibly. If you or your child was attacked by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To find out what reparations a court may award you, get in touch with one of the experienced attorneys featured on this site and request your free case evaluation today.
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