Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers

---

A dog bite is traumatic and often causes serious injuries.

Injuries from dog attacks may include:

• blood loss
• cuts and scratches
• being knocked to the ground and causing broken bones or brain injuries
• crush injuries
• loss of strength to the injured area
• nerve damage
• loss of function in fingers, hands, or wrist
• bruising
• disfigurement and scarring
• psychological trauma
• infections
• wrongful death

Do I need a lawyer after I was bitten by a dog?

If you have been injured by a dog bite, please call ThePhillyLawyers for a free consultation. There are Pennsylvania Dog Laws that place requirements on owners and keepers of dogs. Based on the law, the owner/keeper of the dog must have reasonable control over the dog. Other Pennsylvania Dog Laws include the “One Bite Rule” and special requirements for dogs known to be dangerous.

To determine liability, when we investigate your case, we look closely at all of the evidence and at all of the parties involved. We determine how and why an owner/keeper lost control of a dog, i.e., how and why the bite/attack occurred. We also investigate the dog owner’s history and the dog’s history to determine if the dog has bitten before and, if so, if the owner/keeper knew about the dog’s history of aggressive behavior and whether the dog was in a dangerous dog classification.

After an attack, an injured person can make a claim against the dog owner. Depending on the facts and circumstances, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may be required to compensate you. Depending on the specific facts and circumstances, you may be entitled to receive compensation for damages for: pain and suffering, loss in life’s pleasure, loss of consortium, disability and disfigurement, emotional suffering, and past and future medical costs and income losses.

Call us today at ThePhillyLawyers: 215-884-9300. You pay us nothing unless we recover money for you.

What should I do if I was bitten by a dog or attacked by an animal?

What should you do if you are injured after a dog bite or animal attack? Here are several things you can do to protect your rights and interests. If you are able to:

• Try to identify the dog/animal and its owner/keeper. Request the person’s name, address, and phone number as well as the dog’s name and dog license information.
• If you are able to, ask the dog owner/keeper if the dog: has bitten others before; if the dog is vaccinated against rabies and when its last shot was.
• Get contact information from any witnesses.
• Take pictures and video everything that you can at the scene. For instance, was the dog in a fenced-in area? Was it secured? Was it leashed? How and why did the owner/keeper lose control of the dog?
• Be sure to get prompt medical attention for your injuries and describe all of your injuries in detail the medical providers.
• Report the bite to the appropriate county office(s). Each county has a different reporting procedure. Some counties require that you file an animal bite report online. Other counties require a phone call to the county office of public health, to the county division of disease control, or animal control. Some counties require that reporting to be done within 24 hours of the bite/attack.
• Call us immediately at 215-884-9300, and we will help you further.
• If your pain continues or increases, keep your doctor informed.
• Follow up on all treatment recommendations.