If you have been seriously injured or disfigured by a dog bite, the dog bite lawyers in Pittsburgh at Berger and Green can help you go after the compensation you deserve for your injuries. While dogs may be widely regarded as man’s best friend, they also have the potential to severely harm an individual.
You do not want to wait to seek medical care after a dog bite as you may contract rabies, sepsis, or staph infection, which are all life-threatening conditions. Once a doctor treats you, you should consider hiring a lawyer who can protect your rights and pursue a financial award. We can file your claim and lawsuit and manage other aspects of your case.
Overview of Dog Bites
Each year, dogs attack approximately 5 million people in the United States, and most of these victims are children. In addition, dog bites are the second most frequent reason for emergency room visits; thousands of victims experience injuries severe enough to require medical attention.
Many dog bites involve the family dog or a dog with whom the victim is familiar. These claims may be covered by insurance, so even in these circumstances, victims should not hesitate to take legal action. Dog bites can be severe enough to affect them physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives.
If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you should contact a dog bite injury attorney as soon as possible to determine your legal rights. Dog bites can cause serious physical problems or disfigurement and be emotionally traumatizing for the victim.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Pittsburgh, call 412-661-1400
What to do if a Dog Bites You in Pittsburgh?
- Take care of yourself or your loved one—seek medical attention immediately.
- Be sure you can identify the dog involved in the attack.
- Get the name, address, and telephone number of the dog’s owner.
- If possible, get the homeowner’s insurance and dog license information from the dog’s owner.
- Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all witnesses.
- Take photos of all injuries sustained in the attack.
Consult Berger and Green immediately before signing anything, speaking with any insurance companies, or accepting any money.
Our attorneys have successfully represented dog bite victims for 40 years. We will fight to win the maximum settlement for your injuries from insurance companies that may try to persuade you to settle for the lowest possible amount. Contact our office today for a free legal consultation with a dog attack lawyer.
Pittsburgh Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 412-661-1400
How We Work for You
We provide a wide range of legal services for our clients who have suffered at the hands of a negligent dog owner. These services include:
Collecting Evidence
It would be helpful to have pictures and videos of your injuries, medical records and bills to establish that your injuries are connected to the dog bite and to know what your financial damages are.
Filing Your Claim and Speaking on Your Behalf with the Insurance Company
Your lawyer will handle filing your dog bite claim with the insurance company. We are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to downplay a victim’s injuries and devalue their claims. If we need to negotiate for a fair settlement, we will.
The insurance adjuster might refuse to agree to a reasonable payout. In this case, we will not hesitate to take the case to court and continue the fight for an adequate financial award there.
Interviewing Witnesses
If there were witnesses who seen the dog bite you, and you have their contact information, we would like to reach out to them and speak with them about what they saw. They may have valuable information to share that can benefit your dog bite case.
Determine and Valuate Your Damages
Our dog bite injury lawyer will inform you of the types of damages you should be able to recover and valuate them so that you have an idea of the compensation you could receive.
We will leave no stone unturned in our journey with you for the justice and compensation you deserve after a preventable dog bite. We will also keep you updated and informed throughout your case.
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Recoverable Damages in Dog Bite Claims
You have the right to be made whole after a dog bite in Pittsburgh or across the state of Pennsylvania. To ensure your damages are accounted for in full, your lawyer will separate them into economic and non-economic damages categories.
Economic damages describe your financial losses. Your attorney will use paystubs, financial records, receipts, quotes, and other evidence to prove their financial worth. Some examples of economic damages in dog bite cases could include:
- Costs of mental health counseling
- Prescription medication fees
- Canes, wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other medical equipment
- Healthcare expenses and future medical fees
- Loss of income and reduced earning capacity
- Costs of increased homeowners’ insurance premiums
- Household expenses and childcare fees
You also have the right to be compensated for non-economic damages. These do not have financial value, so your dog attack attorney at our firm will need to quantify them accordingly. Some examples of non-economic damages you may be entitled to include:
- The embarrassment of skin scarring or disfigurement caused by the dog’s bite
- Emotional trauma surrounding the terror of the attack
- Physical and chronic pain and suffering from your injuries
- Personal and professional reputational damage
- Loss of companionship, support, protection, love, advice, society, and guidance
- Reduced quality of life
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How Victims of Dog Bites Are Compensated for Their Suffering
There are several ways dog bite victims in Pittsburgh could be compensated for their damages. Generally, these options include:
- Filing a claim with their homeowner’s insurance or another insurance provider
- Filing a claim with the liable party’s insurer
- Filing a civil lawsuit against the liable party
Depending on who is found liable for your damages, you may be able to file a claim with their insurer. For instance, if the dog’s owner is at fault for your damages, and they have homeowner’s insurance coverage, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance company.
You might also be able to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance or another insurance provider if you opted into no-fault coverage or similar protections.
Filing a civil lawsuit against the individual or entity responsible for your dog bite injuries and damages may be in your best interests. At trial, you have your best opportunity to recover your damages in their entirety and recover maximum compensation for your suffering.
Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws
Under Pennsylvania law, dog owners will be held strictly liable for victims’ damages. However, if your dog bite injury lawyer from our firm can show the dog’s owner was negligent, you may be able to seek total compensation for your damages.
If the dog was previously declared a “dangerous dog,” and the owner failed to take action to maintain control of their dog, the dog’s owner may be held strictly liable for the victim’s damages.
An Important Deadline to Know in Your Dog Bite Case
In Pennsylvania, if you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner, you generally have two years to do so, according to Pa. C.S.A. § 5524.
This may seem like plenty of time, but you do not want to wait to take action as it takes a while to construct a strong case.
A lawyer with our firm will want to get started as soon as possible because we want to have fresh evidence to display and be able to get in touch with any witnesses to the incident. In addition, the sooner you allow one of our lawyers to get to work, the sooner you may be able to get compensated.
We Take Cases on a Contingency-Fee Basis
You do not have to worry about whether you can afford our services. The personal injury attorneys at our law firm accept dog bite cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you will not pay us any money upfront or out of pocket. If we do not win your case, you do not pay anything. Our dog bite attorneys in Pittsburgh take their fee from the settlement or court award secured for you.
Contact Berger and Green Today for Legal Help Following a Dog Bite
Bitten by a dog and unsure whether you have a claim? Contact one of our dog bite lawyers in Pittsburgh for a FREE EVALUATION. Let Berger and Green help you go after what is yours. We Fix Broken Lives!
Call or text 412-661-1400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
