Tenacious Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyers
Bitten? There are things you should do.
At Jaffe & Hough, we have a history of obtaining fair, sizable insurance settlements for dog bite victims. We are ready, willing and able to litigate these matters whenever a fair recovery cannot be obtained through negotiation.
After you've sought competent medical attention and dealt with the immediate physical and emotional trauma of the dog bite incident, you should report the event to the local police to document the attack and confirm the identity of the animal's owner.
The state of Pennsylvania has a "dangerous dog" statute and many cities have particular ordinances regarding how dogs must be secured, the circumstances under which pets are considered dangerous, and how dog owners must look after their animals if their pets have shown a propensity to attack people.
If a dog owner is cited for violating state or city ordinances, this can help show that he or she knew or should have known of the dog's propensity to bite.
What if the dog belongs to a friend?
Sometimes, children are harassed, attacked or traumatized by a neighbors' dog. Even when a child is seriously injured, though, suing neighbors can be uncomfortable. However, it is important to remember that dog-bite claims are usually covered under a pet owner's homeowners' insurance. In most cases, these claims are resolved well before trial.
Every case is different.
Many elements can affect the value of a dog bite case. The age and sex of the victim and the location of a wound are important factors. What may seem like a relatively minor wound can command hefty compensatory damages depending upon its location. A short facial laceration on a child or a young woman might require plastic surgery and could be considered a significant disfigurement by a judge or a jury.
If you have questions about a possible claim for injuries caused by an animal attack, contact us one of our attorneys for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Jaffe & Hough
Two Penn Center, Suite 1907
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1724
Phone: 215-564-5200
Fax: 215-563-8729
E-mail