Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries: Bite Lawsuit?
A dog bite can lead to far more than a minor wound. Many injuries involve deep lacerations, puncture wounds, or tissue damage that can cause nerve issues or permanent scarring. Broken bones and torn muscles are common when the bite is severe or the dog is large. Some victims also suffer infections, including rabies or cellulitis, which require immediate medical attention.
Facial injuries and disfigurement are especially common in children and may require reconstructive surgery. There’s also a psychological side—fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress often follow the attack, particularly in younger victims.
These injuries aren’t just painful; they can impact daily life, limit mobility, or affect a person’s appearance and self-esteem. Every dog bite is different, but many result in long-term consequences that go far beyond the initial event.
Need Help Filing A Dog Bite Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has been hurt by an unrestrained, dangerous dog or other domestic pet, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. As the leading dog bite attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, Silver & Silver is also ready to serve as dog bite lawyers to help you gain justice for the vicious attack and trauma imposed on you.
Approximately 4.5 million estimated dog attacks occur each year. Fortunately, only about 800,000 of those individuals will seek medical attention for their dog bite injuries, with roughly half of them being children.
In most states, dog owners are held liable when a person is bitten. Pennsylvania is one such state and imposes “strict liability” on owners for payment of medical bills, regardless of whether the owner was negligent or violated animal control laws. While the state imposes strict liability on dog owners, PA law nevertheless draws a distinction between dogs that have previously bitten and those that have not, which is why it’s important to hire a dog bite attorney to help you make your claim.
Even if a dog has never bitten before, an injured individual’s dog bite lawyer can make claims for medical expenses and legal damages, depending on the severity of the injury.
If a dog has bitten before, under the “first bite” rule, a possessor of a domestic animal, who has reason to know its dangerous propensities, is subject to liability for harm caused to others even if the owner has acted with the utmost care. In simpler terms, if a dog has already bitten or harmed one or more people in the past, the owner has been effectively put on notice that the dog is dangerous and will be considered liable for further injuries caused in most circumstances.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a vicious animal, we recommend that you take the following steps so your dog bite attorney can preserve a potential legal claim.
- Find a safe place away from the dangerous dog.
- Identify the dog owner.
- If you do not know the name of the owner, identify their address or a description of the location.
- Call the police immediately, as it is important for the police to get involved before someone else gets hurt.
- Go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Even if the bite does not look very serious, there is a danger of infection or scarring, and prompt treatment may help.
- In addition to injury from the bite itself, people are often injured trying to get away from a dangerous dog, e.g., falling. Even if the dog did not bite, you might be entitled to compensation if you were injured under similar circumstances.
- If there are any witnesses, obtain their names and phone numbers.
- Take photographs of the injuries caused by the dog bite.
- If it is safe to do so, photograph the dog as well.
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries?
In Pennsylvania, the dog’s owner is typically the first party considered responsible for a dog bite. The law applies strict liability for paying for medical costs, even if the dog had never shown aggression before. If the victim wants to recover additional damages like lost wages or pain and suffering, they must show the owner was negligent or knew the dog had dangerous tendencies.
Responsibility doesn’t always end with the owner. If someone else was in control of the dog at the time, such as a dog walker, pet sitter, or boarding facility, they may also be held liable, depending on the circumstances. Landlords or property owners might be accountable too if they knowingly allowed a dangerous dog to remain on the premises.
Responsibility in dog bite cases isn’t always straightforward. It depends on who had control over the animal and whether there was a known risk. Pennsylvania law allows multiple avenues for determining fault, and the specific facts of the incident shape who may ultimately be held liable.
A Dog Bite Attorney Can Assist You with Your Claim
We are the trusted dog bite lawyers, personal injury, and slip and fall lawyers serving Philadelphia and Delaware County, PA. If you were harmed by a dog or another vicious domestic animal and reside in the Greater Philadelphia, PA area, we can help. Call the experienced dog bite attorneys at Silver & Silver today for a free consultation. Your health and safety are our top priorities, which is why we’re dedicated to getting you the justice you deserve. Whether you’re looking for justice from catastrophic injuries or medical malpractice, our lawyers in Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia, PA, will fight to get you the settlement you deserve.
Types of Compensation Available
The damages available after a dog bite go beyond immediate medical expenses. Victims may face long-term consequences—physically, emotionally, and financially—and Pennsylvania law recognizes the right to seek compensation for these losses.
Medical bills are usually the most immediate concern. This includes emergency care, surgery, follow-up treatment, medications, and therapy. But many claims also involve compensation for lost wages if the bite prevented the person from working or caused a permanent disability that affects earning potential.
Pain and suffering are another category that can significantly impact the value of a claim. This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack, which may linger long after the wounds have healed. Victims with permanent scars, disfigurement, or PTSD may be eligible for additional compensation based on the severity and location of the injury. Expect the same great results when you choose us as your car accident lawyer in Philadelphia.
In more serious cases, punitive damages may apply if the owner’s behavior was especially reckless, such as ignoring prior complaints or allowing a known dangerous dog to roam freely. Each case is unique, and the available compensation reflects the specific losses the victim has endured.
Beyond dog bites, we can also be your bike accident lawyer in Philadelphia and assist you with other niche cases.
Statute of Limitations in Dog Bite Cases
Under Pennsylvania law, a person injured by a dog bite generally has two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Once that window closes, the right to bring a legal claim typically expires—even in cases involving serious injuries or long-term consequences.
That two-year clock starts ticking the day the bite occurs. While it may seem like a generous amount of time, delays in seeking treatment, gathering evidence, or identifying the responsible party can complicate matters. In some cases, exceptions may apply, such as when the victim is a child, but these situations are narrow.
Knowing the statute of limitations is essential for anyone considering legal action after a dog bite. Waiting too long can make it difficult—or impossible—to recover damages, regardless of the strength of the case.
Special Considerations for Children in Dog Bite Cases
Children face a higher risk of serious injury from dog bites. Their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to bites to the head, face, and neck areas that often result in permanent scarring or the need for multiple surgeries. The trauma can also lead to long-lasting emotional effects like nightmares, fear of animals, or social anxiety.
Pennsylvania law treats these cases differently. The statute of limitations for minors is extended, allowing a child to bring a claim until two years after their 18th birthday. This gives families more time to assess the long-term impact of the injury, especially in cases involving scarring, emotional trauma, or developmental delays related to the attack.
Because children may not fully understand or articulate the extent of their injuries, documenting medical treatment, psychological support, and changes in behavior becomes even more important in building a strong case. These factors are all taken into account when evaluating compensation and liability.