A dog bite can cause deep wounds, infections, nerve damage and permanent scars. When an attack involves a child or injuries to the face, the medical effects can continue long after the initial wound has healed.
Freeburn Law represents people injured by dogs in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania. Our attorneys handle claims involving serious bites, child injuries, scarring, unleashed dogs and attacks where a dog knocks someone to the ground. We investigate what happened, identify available insurance coverage and pursue compensation for the harm the attack caused.
Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients across Pennsylvania. There is no cost to speak with us about your case, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Experienced Pittsburgh Dog Bite Attorneys
Freeburn Law has handled serious dog bite and dog attack claims, including cases involving children and injuries caused by uncontrolled dogs. Some results include:
- $185,000 settlement: A woman suffered hip and arm injuries after an unleashed dog knocked her down. Attorney Christina Bradley secured a $185,000 settlement.
- $101,000 settlement: A six-year-old girl suffered serious facial injuries after a dog attacked her at a friend's home. Attorney Ryan McDaniel recovered $101,000 to help with surgeries and long-term care.
Can You Sue After a Dog Bite in Pittsburgh?
You may have a claim when a dog owner failed to reasonably control the animal or knew about dangerous behavior and failed to take appropriate precautions. A case may involve an unleashed dog, inadequate restraint, previous aggressive behavior or other circumstances showing that the owner failed to properly control the dog.
Pennsylvania does not give every dog a "free bite." A previous bite can be important evidence, but it is not the only way to establish that an owner was negligent. The dog's history, the owner's knowledge, how the dog was being handled and what happened immediately before the attack can all matter.
Pennsylvania's Dog Law also addresses medical expenses after an attack. The law provides that an owner or keeper is responsible for medical-treatment costs resulting from an attacking or biting dog. Claims for additional damages require a closer look at the facts and applicable law.
Compensation for Dog Bite and Dog Attack Injuries
A dog bite claim should account for the actual effects of the injury, not just the first emergency room bill. Depending on the case, compensation may include:
- Medical bills and hospital expenses
- Surgery and reconstructive treatment
- Future medical care
- Lost wages and income
- Physical pain
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve, tendon and tissue damage
- Psychological and emotional effects of the attack
There is no standard settlement amount for a dog bite. The severity and location of the injury, permanent scarring, future treatment, available insurance and evidence of the owner's responsibility can all affect the value of a claim.
Serious Dog Bite Injuries and Permanent Scarring
Dog bites commonly involve the face, hands, arms and legs. Deep bites can damage nerves, tendons and other tissue below the skin, while puncture wounds can become infected. Some injuries require stitches, surgery or months of follow-up treatment.
Scarring can be a major part of a claim, particularly when a bite affects the face or another visible area. Future plastic or reconstructive surgery may need to be considered before a claim is resolved. Photographs taken after the attack and throughout the healing process can help document how the injury changes over time.
Pittsburgh Dog Bite Claims Involving Children
Children can suffer severe injuries during dog attacks because of their size and proximity to the dog's head. Bites to the face and neck may require surgery and can leave scars that continue to change as a child grows.
Freeburn Law has handled a case involving a six-year-old girl who suffered serious facial injuries after being attacked by a dog at a friend's home. Claims involving children should account for current treatment as well as recommended future care, including possible scar revision or reconstructive procedures.
Injured by a Dog That Never Bit You?
You can still have a claim when a dog knocks you down or causes you to fall while trying to get away. Freeburn Law represented a woman who injured her hip and arm after an unleashed dog knocked her down, securing a $185,000 settlement for her injuries.
These cases often come down to whether the dog was properly controlled and what the owner did before the injury occurred. Witness statements, video, prior incidents and evidence that the dog was running loose may all help establish what happened.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Many dog bite claims involve homeowners or renters insurance rather than the dog owner paying a claim personally. This can be especially important when the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor or relative and the injured person is hesitant to pursue a claim against someone they know.
Coverage depends on the policy and circumstances of the attack. Our attorneys can identify potentially applicable insurance, review coverage issues and deal directly with the insurance company while the claim is being investigated.
What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack in Pittsburgh
Get medical treatment after a serious dog bite, even if the wound initially appears manageable. Bites can damage tissue beneath the skin and carry a risk of infection, and prompt treatment also creates a record of the injury.
When possible, you should also:
- Get the dog owner's name and contact information
- Identify the dog and ask about its vaccination status
- Photograph your injuries
- Continue taking photos as wounds and scars heal
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Photograph the location when it is safe to do so
- Save medical bills and treatment records
- Keep records of missed work
- Report the attack to the appropriate authorities
- Save damaged or bloodied clothing when relevant
You do not need to investigate the dog's history yourself. An attorney can work on obtaining reports, locating witnesses, identifying insurance and preserving other evidence connected to the attack.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. There can be circumstances that affect how a deadline applies, including cases involving children, so the specific facts and dates should be reviewed rather than relying only on the general rule.
Waiting can also make a case harder to investigate. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses can become difficult to locate and evidence about the dog's history may become harder to obtain.
How Freeburn Law Handles Pittsburgh Dog Bite Claims
Insurance companies may dispute how an attack happened, the severity of an injury or whether their policyholder was responsible. Freeburn Law can handle the investigation and insurance claim while you focus on your medical care.
Our attorneys can:
- Investigate how the attack occurred
- Identify the dog's owner or keeper
- Look for prior incidents involving the dog
- Obtain available police and animal-control records
- Locate and speak with witnesses
- Identify homeowners, renters or other insurance coverage
- Collect medical records and document permanent scarring
- Evaluate lost income and future treatment
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- File a lawsuit when necessary
Freeburn Law has represented injured people throughout Pennsylvania since 1982. Our team can meet with clients by phone, virtually or in person.
Talk With a Dog Bite Lawyer at Freeburn Law
If you or your child was bitten, attacked or knocked down by a dog, Freeburn Law can review what happened and determine whether you may have a claim. We handle dog bite cases involving serious injuries, permanent scarring, children and other injuries caused by uncontrolled dogs.
Your consultation is free, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call or contact Freeburn Law online to speak with our team.
