When a dog attacks you, you can be emotionally scarred for life. In addition to painful injuries, you will have to get a blood test to make sure you don’t have rabies or other infections. If the dog bite is not your fault, you can speak to a dog bite lawyer about compensation.
When you get injured due to a dog attack, seek medical attention right away and then contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Pittsburgh. Your attorney can help you understand your legal rights, provide guidance on how best to pursue legal action against the pet owner or other responsible party, and fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Reach out to Ogg, Murphy, and Perkosky PC now for a free consultation with a Pittsburgh dog bite lawyer.
Dog Bite Statistics
According to the CDC, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites each year in the United States. Approximately 20% of those dog bites require medical attention. Every day, about 1,000 people in the U.S. require emergency room treatment for dog bite injuries.
In Pennsylvania, there were 787 dog bite incidents reported in 2019. In total, dog bite claims cost up to $35,520,458 in damages as of 2020. The average dog bite claim amounted to $45,134. Dog bite attacks are on the rise and have gone up by 27% since 2019.
Pittsburgh Dog Bite Laws And Regulations
In Pennsylvania, dog owners are strictly liable for any damages caused by their pet’s actions under Section 459-502 of the Dog Law. This means that you can sue the pet owner for any dog bite injuries or damages caused by a dog bite injury in Pittsburgh, and they will be responsible for paying compensation.
The City of Pittsburgh has an Animal Control Agency that is responsible for ensuring all animal control laws and regulations are followed throughout the city. The Animal Control Agency operates a 24-hour hotline that citizens can call if they have concerns about animals in the area or need help with a stray animal. If you have been bitten by a dog in Pittsburgh and need assistance, you can contact the Animal Control Agency at 412-255-2036.
Can you sue for a dog bite in PA?
Yes, you can sue for a dog bite in Pennsylvania. Dog bite laws in PA state that the pet owner is liable for any damages caused by their pet’s actions. A personal injury attorney will be able to help you understand and pursue your legal rights if you have been attacked or bitten by a dog in Pittsburgh.
When You Can Sue The Dog Owner Instead Of Filing A Settlement Claim
- The dog owner is refusing to cooperate or accept responsibility for the incident.
- You have suffered long-term physical or psychological damage due to the dog bite that requires more than just a monetary settlement from the pet owner.
- When you seek additional compensation beyond what has already been offered by the pet owner’s insurance company, such as, reimbursement for medical bills, attorney fees and other related expenses, lost wages, and more.
- You need a court order to establish you are not at fault for the dog bite incident and that the pet owner should be held accountable.
How Pittsburgh Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help You
Dog bites can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries, so you need to understand your legal rights if you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in Pittsburgh. A proven dog bite injury attorney can do the following:
- Explain your legal rights and options in the event of a dog bite incident.
- Provide advice on how to best pursue legal action against the pet owner or other liable party for compensation.
- File a lawsuit against the responsible party and negotiate with their insurance company on your behalf.
- Represent you in court if necessary.
- Help you recover all monetary damages related to medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that you may be entitled to receive due to the dog bite incident.
- Ensure that any future incidents involving the same pet are properly reported to animal control and other responsible parties, as is required by law.
What to Do After A Dog Bite in Pittsburgh
If you are ever bitten by a dog in Pittsburgh, contact a Pittsburgh dog bite attorney to help ensure that all appropriate legal measures are taken against the pet owner. Taking the proper steps after a dog bite injury incident can help protect your health and well-being. You can ensure that all necessary legal action is taken against the pet owner by doing the following:
Get Medical Care
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not think you have been seriously injured. Some dog bites can result in serious infections, diseases, or other injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
File A Report
Contact the animal control agency in your area and file a report. The animal control agency will investigate the incident and take appropriate action to get the dog under control.
Document Your Dog Bite Injury
Take photos or videos of where you were bitten and any injuries you may have sustained.
Get Contact Information
Get the contact information of any witnesses to the incident and the dog’s owner.
Reach Out To an Attorney
Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Pittsburgh. An attorney can help you determine the best course of action, such as filing a lawsuit or negotiating a settlement with the pet owner’s insurance company.
If you have been attacked or bitten by a dog in Pittsburgh, seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that all appropriate legal measures are taken against the pet owner. Your lawyer can help protect your rights and fight for justice on your behalf so that you receive the full compensation you deserve for any damages suffered due to dog bites. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you are not required to pay upfront. Call Ogg, Murphy, and Perkosky PC for a free consultation.
Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C’s main office is located at 245 Fort Pitt Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, only about 8 minutes from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, just over a mile away from The Andy Warhol Museum, and about 2 minutes away from the Point State Park. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is only 12 minutes away. Gary Ogg, Mike Murphy, John Perkosky, David Houk, and Ben Gobel, the principal attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C, are your trusted source for addressing personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. With a proven history of expertise and success, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky ensures your legal representation instills confidence in every aspect of your case. Call our Pittsburgh law firm today at (412) 471-8500 with further questions.