Dog owners in Pennsylvania are responsible for the victim’s medical expenses if their dog bites someone. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an animal attack, a dog bite lawyer with our law firm can help you pursue a claim for compensation.
Dog Bite Liability in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law holds dog owners “strictly liable” for a bite victim’s medical expenses. Strict liability means that they are responsible for paying for the injured person’s treatment costs, whether or not they were careless in the handling or keeping of their pet or knew or should have known about their dog’s viciousness.
Dog owners are not strictly liable for other types of losses, such as compensation for pain and suffering. They are also not strictly liable for any other kind of animal attack injury. So, for example, if a dog chased you and you fell and broke your wrist, you would need to prove that the dog’s owner was careless, or negligent, to recover your losses.
How to Prove Dog Bite Responsibility
Even with a case involving strict liability, you must support your claim with evidence. You will likely need even more proof if you must establish owner liability. Evidence of responsibility may include:
- Medical records
- Photographs of your injury
- Police or animal control officer reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Surveillance or cell phone video of the animal attack
- Proof of your financial losses, including medical bills, pay stubs, and estimates of your expected future expenses
Defenses Against a Dog Bite Claim
There are some defenses against strict liability. A dog owner may not be responsible for your injury if:
- You were trespassing when the animal attack occurred
- You provoked the dog to bite
- The dog bit you while acting in the line of duty as either a police or military service dog
Recoverable Dog Bite Compensation
You can seek compensation for your dog bite injury with a claim against the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, even if the animal attack did not happen on the insured premises. If no insurance coverage is available or the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, you can pursue your damages with a personal injury lawsuit.
Strict liability should apply to your necessary medical costs, including emergency transportation and treatment, hospital and doctor fees, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. If you can prove owner negligence, you may also qualify for compensation for:
- Lost wages and employment benefits from missed work
- Loss of your future earning capacity if you have a permanent or disabling injury that interferes with your work capabilities
- Household services you cannot perform due to your injury, such as cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
Contact SMT Legal About Your Dog Bite Case
Attorney Patrick W. Murray and the rest of the personal injury team at SMT Legal can guide you through every step of your dog bite claim. We will fight to get the money you need for your medical care so you do not pay out of pocket for a dog owner’s mistakes.
To learn more about our services, contact us online or call our office 24/7. We offer free initial consultations and work on contingency, so you do not owe attorney fees until we obtain compensation for you.
