Dog Bite Attorney in York, Pennsylvania

Every year, many residents of Pennsylvania are victims of dog bites and other kinds of animal attacks. A dog attack or dog bite incident can cause physical harm or emotional trauma to the victims. If you, your child, or someone close to you was attacked or bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and potential damages by filing an injury claim against the dog's owner.

With over ten years of extensive experience, our skilled team is ready to guide you in your dog bite injury claim. As an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury firm, we can evaluate and investigate all of the facts of your situation and explore your legal options to pursue compensation. We will fight to protect your rights, seek to hold the dog's owner accountable, and help you pursue the financial justice you deserve.

At Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC, we proudly serve clients across York, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas of Camp Hill, Lancaster, and Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law

Dog bite laws are established in states and municipalities across the country to protect individuals from potential dog bites or animal attacks and help victims seek fair compensation for their injuries in the event of an attack. These dog bite laws often differ from state to state.

According to Pennsylvania law, a dog's owner will be held liable for all injuries and damages when a person is severely attacked or if the person is attacked or bitten by a dog which has been previously considered dangerous.

Under Pennsylvania law, a dangerous dog is one that has:

• Inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation

• Killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal without provocation

• Attacked a person without provocation

• Been used to commit a crime

• A history or propensity of attacking people and/or domestic animals without provocation

If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, it is important that you retain an experienced personal injury attorney right away. Your attorney can evaluate the extent of your injuries, work to establish liability, and help pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

Liability in Dog Bite Cases

Under Pennsylvania's limited version of strict liability law, any time a dog attacks or bites a person — and causes non-severe injury — the dog's owner bears financial liability for the victim's related medical costs.

If the victim sustained severe injuries — an injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement — the dog's owner will be liable for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and other potential damages.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

In Pennsylvania, owners of dangerous dogs are mandated by law to maintain a liability insurance policy of at least $50,000 to cover any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog. To recover damages, the dog-bite victim can:

• File an injury claim with their own insurer

• File a third-party claim directly with the insurance company of the dog's owner

• File a personal injury lawsuit against the dog's owner

You need to reach out to a knowledgeable attorney about your dog bite case immediately to avoid losing any evidence, forgetting important details, or missing the time window for filing your claims.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date the injury occurred. This means that the dog bite victim must commence a civil action in court within 2 years of the date the dog bit, attacked, or otherwise harmed them.

Potential Damages

The following compensation may be pursued by filing a dog bite injury claim:

Economic Damages:

• Lost wages and benefits

• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical treatment

• Physical therapy

• Loss of earning capacity

• Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the dog-bite injuries, such as personal care and medications

• Travel expenses

• Funeral and burial expenses (if the victim dies)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Pain and suffering

• Psychological trauma

• Emotional distress

• Permanent disability

• Mental anguish

An experienced attorney can carefully review every aspect of your case, evaluate the magnitude of your injuries, and determine how much your case may be worth.

Work with a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

Being attacked or bitten by a dog can be an emotional and overwhelming experience and can affect different aspects of your life — your financial, physical, and mental well-being. Thankfully, victims of dog attacks can seek financial compensation to help cover their medical bills, lost income, physical therapy, and any additional pain, discomfort, and suffering they must have experienced. A skilled personal injury attorney can explore your options and help you pursue rightful financial compensation.

At Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC, we're committed to offering experienced legal guidance and representation to dog attack victims and their loved ones in their injury cases. Using our knowledge of Pennsylvania law, our team can guide you through the often complicated legal proceedings. We will work to hold the dog's owner accountable for your injuries and help you seek damages.