It is important to seek justice after a dog bite. If a negligent pet owner’s action or inaction led to you suffering injuries, a Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer can help. Call (800) 816-0755 to speak to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. We can walk you through a free consultation, where we can discuss your case.
You May Be Able to Recover a Financial Award
There are different types of compensation that you may be eligible for. Depending on the specifics of your case and injuries, you could recover the economic losses:
- Prescription costs
- Ambulance and hospital stay
- Doctor’s follow-up visits
- Physical therapy
- Any mobility devices you need
- Psychological therapy
Intangible, non-economic losses may also make you eligible for a financial award. These may include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Recovering a Financial Award Is Possible When Your Loved One Dies
If you lost your loved one to their Pennsylvania dog bite injuries, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit for funeral and burial costs, your family member’s hospital bills, loss of guidance, loss of consortium, or loss of income. Be aware that Consolidated Statutes Title 42 §8301 specifies that only spouses, children, and parents of the deceased can pursue damages (in most situations).
What You Can Before We Meet with You
You do not have to wait for us to start protecting your claim. You can do the following things before we sign an agreement:
Compile All Relevant Evidence
Keeping your records, such as medical bills, can help when you begin working with your Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer. Records relevant to your case can include:
- Videos and photos of your injuries
- A journal of your recovery and how your injury has affected your life
- Eyewitness contacts, so your lawyer can reach out to them for interviews at a later date
- Your written testimony of how you got hurt
- Any receipts or prescriptions
- Insurance communication you received post-bite
Take Your Injury Seriously
The Cleveland Clinic states that “50% of dog bites introduce bacteria” to the victim, including “staphylococcus, streptococcus and pasteurella, as well as capnocytophaga.” If your bite displays the following signs of infection, be sure to seek out medical care (if you have not already done so):
- Swelling around the area
- Increased temperature
- Redness around the area
Not only is your physical recovery important, but so are your chances for financial recovery. As it turns out, when you see a doctor after an accident, you may be able to use your medical records for evidence in your claim for damages.
Finish your treatment fully. This is not only for your safety but also to preserve your potential right to compensation. You do not want to give the negligent party’s lawyer the chance to argue that you are not eligible for fair damages.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 816-0755
We Can Help Prove Liability for Your Injuries
The dog’s owner should pay for your losses. We can work to prove that they had a duty of care to keep you safe (regardless of whether you were on their property or on the sidewalk). For instance, if their dog was allowed to roam freely—but had a history of biting—we can look for evidence that they knew or should have known that their pet was dangerous. Thus, this person’s dog should not have been allowed off the property without a leash.
If You Do Not Know Who the Dog’s Owner Is
If you think it was a stray or lost dog, do not despair. We can look for a potential owner. We will do this by talking to witnesses or residents who live nearby, as maybe they would have knowledge of someone in the neighborhood who feeds many of the stray dogs.
There might be a chance that one of those dogs is actually their dog, legally speaking. In this case, the dog’s owner would be liable for your injury, as they needed to take precautions to keep you safe.
How Your Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
It is important to know that trespassers cannot recover damages after a Pennsylvania dog bite. Your lawyer can work to prove that you were permitted to be on the property at the time of your injury.
So, it is important for us to build a case that proves how you were allowed to be on the owner’s property (if this is where the bite occurred). However, there may be a chance that more than one party is liable for your injuries. We can analyze your case to be sure that all involved negligent parties face justice.
We can also do the following:
- Assess your accident-related losses
- Answer your questions
- Stand by you throughout your case
- Represent you in court if the need arises
- Explain the legal process so that you know what lies ahead
Call (800) 816-0755 to get started today. There is a statute of limitations on lawsuits like the one you may choose to file against a relevant dog’s owner. We want to make sure you are aware of all timelines that might come up in your case.
The Pintas & Mullins Law Firm team can help you look over your (and the other party’s) insurance policy to explore covered losses. You deserve justice. We can help you fight for it.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form