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]]>There are various laws in Philadelphia that may determine a dog owner’s liability.
The One Bite Rule: Many states will protect owners, and grant them some leeway if the animal has not attacked before. In these states, the owner may bear little to no responsibility for medical bills or other losses if the animal has no history of aggression. In Philadelphia, the owner is held liable, or responsible, for medical bills the very first time it hurts someone.
Strict Liability: There are also states that require victims to prove that the owner behaved negligently, whether by encouraging the animal to attack or failing to secure it with a leash. Pennsylvania is generally considered a strict-liability state, because the owner is held responsible, even if he did not behave in a negligent manner.
Dangerous Dog: Pennsylvania is also unique in that it has separate dog bite liability statutes for owners of known dangerous dogs. Animals with an aggressive history are subject to different licensing rules, and anyone injured by a known dangerous dog will qualify for greater compensation, even if the injuries are minor.
On top of the different legal dog bite liability types, there are various types of companies or plans that offer pet liability insurance for owners, and these pay out the majority of pet liability claims for dog bite victims. It’s important to note that the owner is still the responsible party, though through his personal contract with an insurance company, his policy will pay the damages.
Homeowner’s Policy: Usually, it’s the pet owner’s homeowner’s policy or renter’s insurance that offers dog bite liability coverage, though each policy has its own restrictions and guidelines.
Umbrella Policy: Sometimes, a pet owner may have coverage under another policy that will make payments if his animal injures someone. These are referred to as “umbrella” policies, because they cover a wide range of things. For example, a comprehensive auto insurance policy may cover the pet owner’s responsibilities as well.
Dangerous Dog Policy: Anyone can purchase general pet liability insurance, though owners of known dangerous dogs are required to have special pet liability insurance to cover potential injuries caused by their pet as part of the state’s dangerous dog statutes.
Dog bite liability types can be confusing, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side who knows which laws and regulations apply, as well as which policies may cover dog bite liability, in order to ensure that a fair settlement is awarded. If you or your child was injured by someone’s pet, contact one of the attorneys listed on Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer for your free consultation today.
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]]>Most dog bite wounds are punctures, caused by the animal’s teeth as it closes its jaw around the victim. The severity of punctures will vary, and a victim is also likely to have some tearing from the animal shaking its head, as well as scratches. All punctures should be examined by a physician, to assess the extent of the damage and to take steps to avoid infection. Minor punctures may heal with minimal complications, but more severe ones, especially those that include tearing, can result in permanent disfigurement, impairment, and multiple surgeries to correct the damage.
All dogs in Philadelphia are required to be up to date with vaccinations in order to be compliant with the laws and the licensing requirements. Most domestic dogs are not a risk for spreading rabies, but there is still some risk, and the disease is fatal if not treated promptly. If the dog that attacked cannot be identified or did not have its vaccinations, prophylactic treatment is necessary. This consists of six shots over a period of 28 days.
Around 27,00 Americans undergo plastic surgery every year to correct damage caused by dog bite wounds. With children, especially young ones, being the most at-risk group for attacks, the face is a common target. Scarring can be minimized by seeing medical attention early and by taking steps to prevent infection.
Children are especially prone to experiencing PTSD and PTSD-like symptoms following an attack, but all victims are at risk. A person may become fearful of all dogs or become upset in everyday situations when something triggers them to remember the attack. Counseling and time may help reduce emotional and psychological damage, but there is no quick or certain cure.
Broken bones can occur, even if the skin is not broken. The sheer force of a dog’s jaws can literally crush a person’s bones, though broken bones may also occur when a victim falls or attempts to fend off an attacking dog. With these types of injuries, prompt attentions from a medical professional is necessary, and healing time can take months.
Most head trauma occurs as a result of a fall as a victim is being attacked, though lacerations and bites to the head may also occur. When the impact is severe, traumatic brain injury (TBI) may occur, which could lead to permanent disability or death. Even a simple bump could result in internal bleeding, so it’s imperative to visit a doctor immediately after an attack if any kind of head trauma occurred.
Sadly, around 30 Americans every year succumb to their injuries and never recover. This is more common when the dog attacking is a known “dangerous breed” such as a pit bull or Rottweiler, but even Pomeranians have killed small children.
If you or your child was attacked by someone’s pet, it’s important to get treatment for your dog bite wounds right away. This will reduce the amount of time it takes for you to heal, and will lay the groundwork for a claim if you need to seek compensation for your injuries and losses later. At Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer, we connect victims with experienced professionals who can help them obtain a fair settlement to cover the costs of their injuries and rebuild their lives. If you’d like to find out more about what you are entitled to, reach out to them and schedule your free consultations today.
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