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]]>Full owner liability in a dog attack is almost always a certainty, due to Pennsylvania’s strict dog bite negligence laws. All victims are entitled to medical compensation, regardless of whether the animal has ever shown aggressive tendencies before. The circumstances of the attack are largely irrelevant as well. However, when a victim has severe injuries, he may also be entitled to compensation for other losses, such as loss of wages, pain and suffering, damaged property, and more. The caveat to this, is that the animal must have a previous history of aggression or the victim must prove that the attack was unprovoked, he had a lawful right to be on the property, and that he needed multiple sutures, had broken bones, required plastic surgery, or was left with some other kind of serious injury because of the attack. In short, dog bite liability is almost always assigned to the owner, regardless of whether he attempted to stop the attack or not.
Suing for medical injuries is considered a civil case, and it’s between the victim and the animal’s owner, though the owner’s home insurance policy will often pay the final settlement. However, the city, county, or state may also press criminal charges against the animal’s owner for failing to adhere to the local laws. For instance, he may face charges if the animal should have been on a leash at the time of an attack, if he encouraged the animal to attack, or if the animal was subject to Pennsylvania’s dangerous dog laws and he did not follow the mandates. He could also be considered criminally negligent for not attempting to stop the animal from attacking, and cases like this have gone to trial. This came into play during a trial over the death of Penn State graduate Diane Whipple, who was then living in California. The owners, or people responsible for the dogs that attacked Whipple, were convicted of murder in a criminal trial, for failing to stop the attack. In the civil suit, Whipple’s domestic partner was also awarded $1,500,000.
Even though dog bite liability laws in Philadelphia favor the victim, there is a lot involved in proving the extent of the injuries in order to receive a fair settlement that covers any ongoing medical needs, counseling, or other issues that have resulted from the attack. For this reason, it’s important to consult with a competent Philadelphia dog bite lawyer, prior to considering any kind of settlement or attempting to go forward alone on a case. This site is dedicated to helping victims get the information they need, and to connecting them with skilled local attorneys who will fight to ensure the victim does not suffer financially due to a pet owner’s negligence. If you or your child was attacked by someone’s pet, get in touch with one of the lawyers listed here for your no-obligation consultation today.
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]]>The post Dog Bitten By Another Dog: Can I Sue? appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>When a dog is bitten by a dog, treatment for the wounds is often necessary. The vet will examine the injuries and may need to take x-rays to check for broken bones or perform other diagnostic tests. The primary concern is often puncture wounds from the other dog’s teeth, though some breeds will shake their jaws as they attack. Pit bulls are known for this behavior, and their bites have been likened to shark attacks because they do a lot of tearing damage. Some canines have very powerful jaws that can crush tender tissues as well, and this may cause damage that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Your vet may need to debride and irrigate wounds so that they are clean and will heal properly. Depending on the severity of the injuries, sutures may also be necessary, and antibiotics will likely be prescribed. When your dog is bitten by another dog, treatment compensation may be awarded by the courts, though they will consider what they believe to be “prudent.” In other words, you may not be able to receive repayment for a $15,000 surgery for an aging pet or be repaid for a $5,000 surgery when a $2,000 option was available. Much of this is at the discretion of the court.
The bitten dog isn’t the only one who suffers, and the courts know this. Depending on the severity of the incident, you may also be awarded a settlement that includes payments for your pain and suffering or mental anguish. This is typically reserved for cases that are especially gruesome, or if the pet does not survive its injuries, though courts around the country have ordered payments to pet owners when someone else’s negligence directly caused injury or death.
When a dog is bitten by another dog, the owners often step in to break up the fight. The instinct to protect a “family member” is very strong, and owners are often hurt as a result. These types of claims are much easier to make in Philadelphia, as they fall under the general dog bite guidelines. In this situation, you’ll almost certainly be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, though you may receive greater compensation if your injuries resulted in permanent scarring or were otherwise “severe.”
If you or your child was bitten by a dog, the compensation available could include losses and damages, which include the expenses from when your dog is bitten by another dog as well. The experts at Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer generally focus on cases where people were injured, though the costs of your pet’s injuries may be rolled into the same lawsuit, too. For more information on what reparations a court may award you, reach out to any of the professionals listed on this site and request your free consultation today.
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]]>The 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 Dog Bite Compensation for Medical Bills and Payment Amounts appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>Pennsylvania’s laws are written so that dog bite award payments are almost always awarded to cover the costs of a victim’s treatments. However, victims with only minor injuries are typically limited to reparations for just their medical expenses, not any other bills or costs they have to manage as a result of the attack. The exception to this is when the animal that attacked has a history of aggression or has been labeled by the state as a “dangerous dog.” When a known dangerous dog attacks, victims may file for dog bite award payments that cover their other costs as well.
The dog bite compensation available opens up significantly when a victim is severely injured. This may include someone who needed multiple stitches, has broken bones, or has a permanent disability/ disfigurement following the attack. Something as simple as scarring may qualify as “severe” because the individual may need plastic surgery and follow-ups with their physician to treat it and minimize the lasting effects. When the criteria for “severe” is satisfied or the animal that attacked is a known dangerous dog, the victim may seek dog bite medical bill compensation and reparations for the following:
The state does not have any hard rules where dog bite award payments are clearly defined. The courts will consider the extent of the injuries, the costs that have accrued, the victim’s future expenses, and how all this will impact the victim’s life. In order to get a clearer picture of what your dog bite award payments may include, you’ll need to speak to an attorney who routinely handles dog bite cases and can assess the specifics of your situation.
If you need dog bite compensation in order to move on with your life and recover from your attack, contact one of the professionals listed on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer. Each attorney featured here has the experience and dedication needed to help you win a fair settlement. Review the profiles and contact those you prefer for your free case evaluation today.
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]]>In Philadelphia, you’re almost certainly entitled to compensation for your medical bills, but dog bite settlement awards from insurance companies don’t always include everything you should receive.
The laws here also provide greater dog bite settlement awards if your injuries are considered severe. This could mean you have a permanent scar, needed multiple sutures, broke bones, or have some other sort of permanent disability or disfigurement as a result of the attack. Dog bite compensation also increases if the animal has a history of aggression and has been labeled as a “dangerous dog” by the state.
Obtaining fair dog bite compensation so you can rebuild your life is not always easy. You may face numerous obstacles as you struggle with insurance companies or try work with the animal’s owner. Fighting to be treated fairly, after you’ve already been hurt, should not be your responsibility. Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania recognize this, which is why they allow seriously injured victims to recover their legal fees in dog bite settlement awards. It’s also why each dog bite attorney listed on this site will gladly wait to collect a fee for their time, until you have a successful case outcome. If you or your child was injured by someone’s pet, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of a free consultation, so you can make the best possible decision about your future. Get in touch with any of the professionals listed on this site and schedule your no-obligation 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 Dog Bite Settlement Amounts: What You Can Expect for Your Dog Bite Compensation appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>It is almost a certainty that you will receive reimbursement for your medical expenses, under Pennsylvania’s legislation, which clearly states that animal owners are liable for damages, even if their pet has never shown any sign of aggression in the past. When injuries are minor, however, dog bite lawsuit awards in Philadelphia tend to be limited to the cost of medical expenses only. If the animal has a history of aggression, the case will be treated as if you have severe injuries, and you will be able to file a claim that includes things like your lost wages, legal fees, and pain and suffering.
The state looks for disfigurement (which includes scarring), disability, multiple sutures, and broken bones when they’re determining if an injury is considered “severe.” A victim with severe injuries is permitted to file for a higher level of dog bite compensation than someone with minor injuries is. There are no “typical dog bite settlements” where severe injuries are concerned. Your dog bite lawsuit amount could include payments for medical bills (both present and future), lost wages (again, both present and future), pain and suffering, legal fees, damaged property, and other expenses. The court will look at how much the attack has impacted your life and what the aftereffects will be in your future. They will also look at previous dog bite settlement amounts in cases similar to yours, to help determine what “fair dog bite compensation” is in your case. Because there are so many variables in dog bite settlement amounts, your award could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than a million dollars. An experienced attorney who has worked on many cases will be able to look at the specifics in yours and determine what your dog attack settlement amount is likely to be.
If you’d like to speak with an experienced attorney about how much dog bite compensation you may be entitled to, speak with one of the professionals listed here on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer. Each one has dedicated a portion of his or her practice to fighting cases just like yours, and has a wealth of information on the topic. Best of all, they offer their consultation services at absolutely no cost to you, and they don’t collect any fees unless they win dog bite compensation for you. To take advantage of this, reach out to the professional of your choice 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 Lawsuits: How and When to File appeared first on Dog Bite Lawyer.
]]>In Philadelphia, getting bitten by a dog almost certainly entitles you to compensation for your medical bills, regardless of the circumstances. If the dog has a past history of aggression or your injuries are severe, you may also be able to receive payments for your legal fees, pain and suffering, damaged property, lost wages, and more. Scarring, broken bones, the need for multiple sutures, and disfigurement or disability all qualify as “severe,” and may qualify you for the higher level of coverage, though you will likely need to file a dog bite lawsuit in order to receive the full amount you’re entitled to. There is a statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, so it’s important to file right away, even if you think you’ll settle out of court. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to file at all, which means you cannot fight for any funds- not even coverage for medical bills that you’ve paid out of your own pocket.
Filing an injury lawsuit for a dog bite can be very involved. You’ll need to use the correct court forms, include all the pertinent information, and include the proper documentation to substantiate your claims. This is incredibly difficult to do if you’re seeking non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. It’s always best to have an experienced professional handle the court documents, because you often only get once chance to handle the case properly. If you fail to include an expense, you may not be able to request compensation for it at all.
The experts on this site handle dog bite lawsuits all the time, and they can ensure that the courts receive all necessary documentation, in the proper format, within the correct timeframe. They can also evaluate the amounts you’re requesting and offer advice as to which expenses you may have overlooked, so you can be sure you’re getting compensation for all of your expenses and do not suffer a financial burden. They also wait for payment until your injury lawsuit for the dog bite successfully concludes, and the fees are usually included in the settlement, separate from any other compensation you receive, so you won’t be overwhelmed with expenses from the case. If you’d like to take advantage of their no-obligation consultations, contact the professional of your choice and book your appointment today.
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]]>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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