If a dog bites you in Pennsylvania, you may sustain painful, traumatic, and serious injuries requiring emergency medical attention. Dog bites leave victims susceptible to dangerous infections and complications, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Additionally, depending on the bite’s severity or the dog bite’s location, you may have permanent scars or disfigurement after a dog attack. In just one year, Pennsylvania dog bite victims filed 787 insurance claims for dog bite injuries and damages, making Pennsylvania the country’s fifth-highest state for dog bites.
At HGSK Law Firm, we want to help you seek the compensation the law may entitle you to in Pennsylvania. Dog bites can lead to you incurring significant medical bills and may cause you to lose income due to missed work. Our team understands the challenges you face as a dog bite victim. We represent clients in similar circumstances each day and fight on their behalf for compensation from insurance companies and liable dog owners.
At HGSK Law Firm, we help our clients seek the best possible outcome for their claims. We want to help our clients determine their damages and negotiate a successful car accident settlement that allows them to move on after a devastating car accident.
Pennsylvania Doesn’t Have a One Bite Rule
In some jurisdictions, one-bite rules give dog owners a free pass if their dog bites and injures a victim with no prior history of dog bites or attacks. In Pennsylvania, however, there is no one-bite rule, and a dog owner is strictly liable for the injuries and damages caused by their dog in a dog bite incident. The Pennsylvania dog bite laws employ strict liability regarding victims’ medical expenses due to their dog bite injuries.
Strict liability for a dog bite means that as a victim, you do not need to prove that an owner was negligent for the actions of their dog, only that they are the owner of the dog and that you suffered injuries by their dog without provocation or fault to seek compensation for your medical bills. However, strict liability does not apply under Pennsylvania law to seek additional damages such as lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses beyond medical costs. You must establish the elements of negligence through your claim or case. Our lawyers can help you determine what damages are appropriate in your case and whether they can help you seek additional damages beyond medical expenses following your dog bite injuries.
Understanding Statute of Limitations in a Dog Bite Case
A statute of limitations guides a victim to know how long they have to file a claim for damages against the parties liable in their state. This timeframe is statutory, meaning it is the law and must be followed for a victim to preserve their right to file a legal action in court. In Pennsylvania, dog bites fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, and the statute of limitations for civil actions arising from a dog bite injury is two years. The two-year deadline begins to run on the date the dog bite injury occurs. Failure to take action for damages within two years will likely preclude a victim from pursuing damages under the law. At HGSK Law Firm, a member of our team will carefully review your case to identify the statutory timeline that applies to your lawsuit.
Why You Need to Contact a Lawyer After a Dog Bite
Dog bites can cause extensive injuries that require costly medical care, such as ER visits, surgery, and reconstructive procedures. A Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages if appropriate in your case. Whether through the filing of an insurance claim through a property liability policy or an action against the dog owner, a lawyer can help you determine your best course of action based on the rights available to you under Pennsylvania law.