Dog Bites and Liability in Animal Attack Cases Across Pennsylvania

Bucks County Dog Bite and Animal Attack Injury Lawyers Serving Clients in Bensalem, Bristol, Levittown, and Philadelphia, PA

According to a 2017-2018 survey performed by the American Pet Products Association, almost 90 million dogs are owned as pets in the United States. Though we love them for the love and companionship they provide us it is very important to be aware of the dangers of dogs and dog ownership. Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than half of dog-bite injuries occur at home with dogs that are familiar to us and children are particularly at risk.

If you suffered from a dog injury or someone you know, our dog bite attorneys are prepared to represent you and help you get the money you need to cover your costs and pay for your losses. Call us now at (215) 337-4915 to talk with a member of our legal team.

Avoiding Dog Bites in Bucks County PA

Understanding how to avoid dog bites can go a long way to securing your family’s health and assuring dog owners have years of loving companionship with their pets.  The steps to avoiding dog bites include:

• Choosing the right type of dog for your family and neighborhood. This is particularly important for a family dog. Though many think that size is the most important factor in reality what you want is a pet with a good temperament.
• Avoid strange dogs. Dogs are more defensive with people who are unfamiliar to them.
• Never bother a dog while it is eating or feeding its puppies.
• Though it may be difficult, don’t run away from aggressive dogs. Stay calm, move slowly and avoid eye contact. Running can trigger the dog’s natural “chase” response.

What to do after a Dog Bite or Animal Attack in Philadelphia PA

Though we may be very familiar with our own family dogs, it is important to remember that, like people, each dog is different and has a distinct and unique personality.

In the event that you are bitten or see someone who has been bitten you should:

• Place a clean towel over the injury
• If possible, elevate the injured area
• As soon as possible, wash the bite wound with soap and water, and apply a sterile bandage

Dog bites can have serious long term health effects that can keep you out of work as well cause you to incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog that is not theirs an experienced and skilled dog bite attorney should be contacted immediately.

Homeowners Insurance and Dog Bite Liability in Pennsylvania

Dog bites are often a sensitive issue, especially when the attacking dog belongs to a friend or family member. It is very common for people to not want to cause problems for the dog owner.  However, homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bite liability legal expenses. Consequently, unless the cost of the injury is very high, the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy should cover the cost.  It is important to note that some insurance companies will not insure homeowners who own specific breeds of dogs categorized as dangerous, such as pit bulls.

Homeowner’s insurers paid out $675 million in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries in 2018, according to the Insurance Information Institute. This study found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide fell to 17,297 in 2018 from 18,522 in 2017 representing a 6.6 percent decrease. Moreover, the average cost paid out for dog bite claims nationwide was $39,017 in 2018.

What Your Bensalem Dog Bite Attorney Will Need to Know Following an Attack

After any dog bite from a dog that is not your own contacting a personal injury and premises liability attorney is a smart move.

The attorney will need to know:

• If you know the dog or the owner of the dog?
• If you know if the dog has the appropriate vaccinations, and if they are all up to date?
• If you provoked the dog or was the attack unprovoked?
• If you are suffering any lingering health conditions as a result of the bite?
• Have you missed work due to injuries?

It is important to take care of the health and financial stability of both you and your loved ones first if you are facing injuries as a result of a dog bite.  As stated, in many cases these types of incidents are covered by insurance meaning that if you know the dog owner you need not worry about them having to pay huge out of pocket expenses for your injuries.

Contact an Personal Injury Attorney with Experience Handling Animal Attack Cases

With years of experience handling dog bite cases, our team of attorneys has dealt not only with the physical consequences but also the side effects of a dog attack like emotional or financial problems. At our North East Philadelphia Law Firm, the attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson understand the importance of these type of situations for our clients and work towards a fair recovery for their losses. To speak with our firm today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your dog injuries injury claim, please contact us online or through our Bensalem, PA office at 215-337-4915.