Reading Dog Bite Lawyer
Suffering a dog attack can be a traumatic experience. However, if a landlord, pet owner, or other individual is responsible for allowing the attack to happen, you may be able to hold them accountable to provide compensation in a civil claim.
The law in Pennsylvania gives victims of these attacks the ability to pursue compensation through legal action against the dog’s owner, so long as they were not trespassing on private property when the attack took place. However, navigating these laws to recover compensation might be difficult without the assistance of a Reading dog bite lawyer. An attorney who has experience with the local rules and regulations surrounding these claims could help with each step.
Pennsylvania’s Law on Dog Attacks
In Pennsylvania, whether or not a person can pursue a claim after a dog attack is partially based on whether or not the dog in question is deemed “dangerous.” Essentially, this means that a dog attacked a person and inflicted injury without provocation, or has a known history or propensity for attacking other people or animals.
An owner of a “dangerous dog” must take certain precautions to restrain their pet while on their property, as well as when it is being walked or transported. Owners who neglect this duty can face both criminal and civil liability.
If a dog does not have a prior history of aggression, however, a person may still be entitled to pursue a claim. However, due to the nuances of these laws, anyone looking to file a dog bite claim may benefit from the knowledge of a Reading lawyer.
What Are Recoverable Damages After a Dog Bite?
If a dog does not meet the definition of being “dangerous” and the person is not seriously injured, they might still be able to recover an amount of financial damages from the pet owner that equals the amount of related medical expenses they suffered. When the dog is “dangerous,” however—or if the person sustained severe injuries—they may also be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Time missed from work due to the injuries and subsequent recovery
- Suffering, pain, and mental anguish
- Temporary or permanent disabilities
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Other economic and non-economic damages, depending on the circumstances
If a claimant can demonstrate that the compensation they are seeking is related to their injuries and losses suffered in a dog attack, they could be considered valid for a claim. A compassionate lawyer in Reading could work with a claimant to calculate the full extent of their losses suffered after a dog bite in order to request full and fair compensation.
Seek the Services of a Reading Dog Bite Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered injuries and other losses after a dog attack, you may be able to recover compensation in a civil lawsuit. If successful, you might be able to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and additional financial damages.
However, navigating the claims process can be difficult, especially as you recover from trauma. Instead of trying to file a claim alone, call a Reading dog bite lawyer today to get assistance every step of the way.
