DOG BITE LAWYER IN WILKES-BARRE / SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Most dogs are wonderful animals; however, if they are not properly cared for and handled by their owners they can be very dangerous and cause serious personal injury. It is important to know that PA does not have a "one free bite" rule. Any and all dog bites are subject to liability.

If you or a family member has been injured by a dog bite or attack you are entitled to compensation of medical expenses from the animal's owner. As explained below, depending on the severity of the attack you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, past and future wage losses, emotional trauma, permanent disabilities, and loss of enjoyment.

Unfortunately, dog bites or attacks are common and often result in long term and permanent injury. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year and 800,000 of those people seek medical care. Sadly, half of people treated for a dog bite / attacks are children; the injury rate for dog bites is the highest for children 5 to 9 years old.

Experts agree that most dog bite cases can be prevented and are caused by a person's carelessness. Therefore, in the majority of these cases, the pain and trauma the victim suffers is attributable to another person's negligence.

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law

PA dog bite law is known as the Dangerous Dog Statute. The important information the statute provides for dog attack victims involves the severity of their injuries and their right to recover.

PA Non-Severe Dog Bite Rule

Pennsylvania strict liability dog bite law limits recovery to medical expenses when the attack does not result in severe injury. To recover medical expenses, the victim only has to prove that the defendant was the owner of the dog.

The victim of a non-sever dog bite in PA can recovery other losses and damages by suing the dog owner for negligence.

Severe Dog Bite Injuries in PA

However, if the bite resulted in a severe injury, the victim can recover medical expenses and all other losses and legal damages under the Commonwealth's strict liability dog bite law. PA dog bite statute defines a severe injury as "any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery." To recover the victim must prove that the dog inflicted severe injury without provocation. It does not matter in Pennsylvania if the dog previously bit a person prior to biting this victim.

Proof Necessary to Win a Dog Bite Case in PA

Any good dog bite lawyer in Pennsylvania should collect the information necessary to prove and win the case as soon as possible. The most important fact is the identity of the dangerous dog's owner. It is also important to know who had "control" of the dog at the time of the attack and where and when the event occurred. All injury cases are very fact sensitive so it is essential the lawyer performs a full investigation.

Call PA dog bite lawyer David Lampman at 570-371-3737 to discuss your case. I will investigate the facts of your case and develop a winning legal argument to get you the compensation you deserve for your dog bite injuries.