Dog Bite Lawyer in Bethlehem
- 30+ Years of Experience Helping Victims Across Pennsylvania
- We Will Never Stop Fighting For You
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
- Last Modified:
- September 28, 2024
Speak with an experienced Bethlehem dog bite lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack. You may have the right to recover compensation from a negligent dog owner or another liable party. Cordisco & Saile LLC can help you seek a full financial award.
We are dedicated to our clients and work hard to help them move forward with the compensation they deserve. We are ready to fight for you. Your consultation is free, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our law office to schedule yours today.
Does Pennsylvania have a one-bite rule?
Dog owners no longer have a free pass if their dog attacks, bites, or injures someone.
Under Pennsylvania state law, dog owners can be held strictly liable for medical expenses related to a dog bite, regardless of whether they were negligent or if the dog has attacked anyone in the past.
What about other damages, such as lost wages or emotional distress? Dog owners won’t be strictly liable, but they can still be held accountable. If evidence shows that the dog owner was negligent, then a victim can pursue additional damages through an injury claim or lawsuit.
A dog owner may be considered negligent if they:
- Violate Bethlehem’s leash laws by not restraining their dog when they leave the premises
- Fail to have adequate restraints or warnings to protect guests from a dog who is registered with the state of Pennsylvania as a “dangerous dog”
- Allow a dog to wander unaccompanied around Bethlehem
- Train or provoke a dog to attack or be aggressive
The dog’s owner has a responsibility to keep the animal under reasonable control—both on and off their premises. If they fail to exercise reasonable care, they can be held legally accountable for resulting dog bite injuries and trauma.
Who can be liable for a dog bite injury in Bethlehem?
Liability for a dog bite and resulting injuries isn’t limited to the animal’s owner. Anyone responsible for the dog’s care can also potentially be on the hook for damages—like a dog walker or groomer.
Dog bite cases are, in some instances, a matter of premises liability. When you are lawfully on someone else’s property (or even in common spaces in apartment buildings or housing complexes), the person responsible for maintaining the premises owes you a duty of care. Typically, they have a responsibility to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition to prevent foreseeable harm.
So if you are bitten by a dog on someone else’s property, the owner (or person responsible for the premises) could potentially be liable too.
This might include:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Businesses
- Property management
- Government agencies
It can be important to identify all potentially liable parties in your dog bite injury case. The dog owner may not have the ability to personally pay, and the limits on their homeowner’s insurance policy might not cover all your damages. Seeking compensation from multiple parties can help ensure that you recover the money you deserve.
We’re ready to fight for you. Take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
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Why should I hire an attorney if I’ve been bitten by a dog?
Because you are more likely to win your case and maximize your financial recovery when you ask for help. Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right attorney to handle your dog bite injury claim. When you hire Cordisco & Saile LLC, you will put insurance companies and dog owners on notice. Our reputation as tenacious, unrelenting trial attorneys is well known.
With our Bethlehem personal injury lawyers handling your dog bite case, you won’t just level the playing field—you will give yourself the edge you need to win. You will also give yourself the time you need to recover from your life-changing wounds.
While you focus on getting better, our team will handle every aspect of your claim. We will:
- Investigate the animal attack to determine why it happened, how it could have been avoided, and who is at fault
- Determine if the animal involved is registered as a dangerous dog, which would require the property owner to take special precautions and secure supplementary insurance coverage that may apply to your case
- Defend you against claims that you were trespassing on private property or provoked the dog
Bring in experts who can provide insight into the more technical aspects of your case - Negotiate with insurance carriers and negligent parties on your behalf
- Prepare your dog bite case as if it will go to trial should you be offered an unfair settlement
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm for help. You have one opportunity to recover compensation, and we want to help you make the most of it. We offer a free case evaluation, so contact our Bethlehem dog bite attorneys to schedule yours now.
What compensation can I receive for a dog bite injury?
If you were bitten by a dog, you may have the right to recover compensation for economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages are paid as compensation for your financial losses such as:
- Hospitalization, surgery, and present medical expenses
- Ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, and future medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning capacity
Disability - Nursing assistance
Noneconomic damages are paid to compensate for the trauma of a dog bite injury, which can be difficult to value in terms of dollars and cents. Noneconomic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Our personal injury attorneys will work closely with respected experts and rely on their professional insight as we build your case. The more we understand the extent of your injuries and the impact they have on your life, the better prepared we will be to leverage a full financial award on your behalf.
Recently, we negotiated a $750,000 settlement for a woman who was seriously injured when a large dog knocked her over unexpectedly. Our client suffered serious spinal fractures during the accident. She is also suffering from foot drop, had extended rehabilitation, and residual pain that may last the rest of her life.
How long do I have to file an injury claim after a dog attack?
You only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit if you were attacked by a dog in Pennsylvania. The statute of limitations is just two years, and it starts to run the moment you are bitten. Don’t let too much time go by before you ask for help. Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to demand accountability and recover compensation for your catastrophic injuries.
Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC to get started on your case today. Our Bethlehem dog bite injury lawyers are here to stand up to negligent dog owners, insurance companies, and other parties for you while you recover. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation, so reach out to schedule yours today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dog bites and attacks common in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania ranked fifth in terms of dog bites, according to insurance claims data. In 2021, State Farm resolved 154 dog bite claims in Pennsylvania for over $7.4 million.
Keep in mind that these are just claims resolved by State Farm. Hundreds of other claims are handled by other insurance companies and private parties across the state annually.
What are common injuries in a dog bite lawsuit?
Dog attacks can cause severe emotional trauma and leave victims struggling with painful and debilitating physical injuries.
Cordisco & Saile LLC represents dog bite victims who have suffered:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones and fractures
- Eye injuries
- Hearing or vision loss
- Abrasions
- Infections
- Crushing injuries
- Avulsion injuries
- Nerve damage
- Amputation
Our wrongful death attorneys also help families who have lost a family member because of a fatal dog attack. No matter your situation, we are here to provide the guidance and support you need. Call our law office to discuss your legal options today.
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