Posts Tagged ‘state’

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, we suggest you do the following:

Seek Medical Attention

Dog bites can cause serious, and sometimes permanent, injury. If you have been bitten, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Document the Evidence:

Take photographs of the injuries you sustained from the attack. If there are witnesses, take down their names and contact information.

Get the Name, Address, and Insurance Provider of the Dog Owner:

This is necessary information you will need for your case. The actions of the dog are covered by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. If the owner does not have insurance, they are responsible for paying the compensation.

File a Report with Animal Control and the Police:

Both the police and animal control need to be notified of the event. Have a report filed as soon as possible after the attack.

Hire a lawyer:

If you have sustained bad injuries from a dog bite, the best thing you can do is to consult an experienced dog bite lawyer.   The rules governing compensation vary from state to state, and can get complicated. In serious cases, consult an expert attorney familiar with your state’s law.

In addition to understanding the law, attorneys can help you get a larger settlement. Most insurance adjusters offer victims of dog bites only 10% to 20% of the payout they could have received by hiring an attorney.

Remember, suffering from a dog bite is no different than being the victim of a negligent driver in a car accident. In terms of receiving reimbursement for your losses, these two scenarios are the same. If you are bitten by a dog, seek experienced dog bite lawyers help to ensure you are fully compensated for all your losses.

Can I sue the dog that bit me? This is a common question many clients have asked me over the years. To the best of my knowledge, no dog has ever been made a defendant in the state of Pennsylvania! However, although dogs can’t be sued, by law the pet owner is fully responsible for the dog’s actions, including any injury caused by the animal.

This question about suing the dog is asked for very good reason: dog bites can be serious business, and if bitten, you are entitled to compensation for both medical expenses and reimbursement for any lost earnings. Unfortunately, out of the 4 million Americans bitten annually by a dog and the 800,000 who present for medical attention, only a fraction claim damages from insurance payouts.

How to Report a Dog Bite in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Police Department
750 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Non-Emergency: 311

Philadelphia Animal Control

2300 Poplar Street. Building #4
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-685-0918

To report a dog bite, you can call 267-385-3800 which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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