Dogs offer their owners companionship and security. However, dog owners have a responsibility to control their dogs and prevent them from harming others.
When owners fail to fulfill this duty, we can hold them accountable for the medical bills and other damages their dogs cause.
At Marcus & Mack, we understand how serious dog bite injuries can be and the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions that can follow. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a dog bite attack, consult an Indiana, PA, dog bite lawyer from Marcus & Mack to discuss your case and how we can help you through this difficult time.
In the United States, over 65 million households own dogs, reflecting Americans’ deep affection for their loyal canine companions. Despite this love, dog bite incidents are not uncommon, with approximately 4.5 million occurring annually, leading to nearly 20% becoming infected. Around 1,000 individuals seek emergency treatment for non-fatal dog bites, resulting in roughly 12,500 hospitalizations and an estimated 30 to 50 fatalities annually due to such injuries.
The financial repercussions are significant, with the average hospitalization cost from a dog bite totaling $18,200, surpassing the average cost of other injury-related hospitalizations by 50%. Victims face approximately $2 billion in monetary losses each year, while homeowners collectively pay around $882 million in liability claims to compensate those affected by dog bites.
Injuries from a dog attack can vary in severity. While some may be minor, others can require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care.
Some common wounds often caused by a dog bite include:
In an Indiana PA dog bite case, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages resulting from the incident.
These can include:
Consult our experienced dog bite attorneys in Indiana, Pennsylvania. We can evaluate your case, assess your damages, and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Pennsylvania differs from the one-bite rule commonly followed in some states; instead, it adheres to a strict liability dog bite statute. This law holds dog owners accountable for their pet’s aggressive behavior regardless of their previous history of violence. In essence, there’s no need to establish the owner’s fault if a dog bites someone—it’s automatically assumed.
However, there are certain limitations to what damages can be recovered under this strict liability statute. While the owner is responsible for covering all medical expenses resulting from the bite, proving negligence becomes necessary if the injured party seeks compensation for additional damages.
Strict liability for dog bites holds owners responsible for their dog’s aggression, irrespective of whether they anticipated such behavior. This underscores the importance of the dog owner taking preventive measures, even if their dog has never shown aggression before.
Pennsylvania law defines a dangerous dog as one that has inflicted severe injury on a human without provocation on public or private property, killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal (dog or cat) without provocation while off the owner’s property, or attacked a human being without provocation.
Pennsylvania also has several requirements for owners of so-called dangerous dogs, such as registering the dog and keeping it confined indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure. Outside the enclosure, the dog must be muzzled and kept on a leash “under the physical restraint of a responsible person.”
Dog owners who fail to abide by these requirements and whose dog injures a person could be held liable for their dog’s actions and the resulting injuries. Even if the dog isn’t considered “dangerous,” an experienced dog bite lawyer can demonstrate that the owner was negligent and should be held liable for any harm the dog causes.
Robert S. Marcus Personal Injury Attorney in Indiana
Dog owners frequently underestimate the potential danger their pets pose to others. Given their strength, dogs can easily knock down or overpower even individuals much larger than themselves.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog attack in Indiana or Western Pennsylvania, it’s reasonable to expect the dog’s owner to accept responsibility for the consequences. Personal injury attorney in Indiana can assist you in obtaining compensation for medical expenses, future healthcare needs, emotional distress, and other related aspects of the injury. Contact us now at (724) 349-5602 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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