Were you bitten by a dog in Kingston, PA? You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Kingston dog bite lawyer.
Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience, and we’ve recovered over $150 million in compensation for our clients. We have a thorough understanding of Pennsylvania law on dog bites. You can trust us to help you build a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Should I Choose Fellerman & Ciarimboli to Help Me After a Dog Bite Incident in Pennsylvania?
If you are suffering from dog bite injuries, you need more than just legal knowledge — you need a team that is committed to your goals and defending your rights. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, our Kingston personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of results, over a century of legal experience, and an unwavering dedication to securing justice for our clients.
We have been serving residents in Kingston and across northeastern Pennsylvania for decades. Members of our legal team have been recognized by The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and other prestigious legal organizations.
Proving liability, unpacking leash laws, and negotiating with insurance companies are all unique challenges that come with dog bite cases. We are prepared to meet them head-on and help you devise a legal strategy that puts you in the best possible position to achieve a favorable outcome.
Contact our law office in Kingston, Pennsylvania, to schedule your free consultation.
What Are Pennsylvania’s Dog Bite Laws?
Pennsylvania has a strict liability rule for dog bites, which means that an owner can be held liable regardless of whether their dog had a known history of aggression or had already bitten someone.
There are some important caveats to Pennsylvania’s strict liability standard with regard to damages. If a dog has bitten someone, the dog’s owner will be automatically responsible for the victim’s medical expenses. However, proving negligence is required for other damages. Negligence must be proven to recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of your case will be determined by a multitude of factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your age and health
- Whether you provoked the dog or were trespassing
- The dog’s history
- Your medical treatment
- Whether you are suffering from a temporary or permanent disability
- Whether your case settles or goes to trial
In addition to the immediate costs of medical treatment for your physical injuries, you may suffer from long-term effects that are harder to measure (e.g., emotional distress and scarring). Children who have been bitten by dogs often require counseling and other forms of psychological support. Adults may have to miss work or struggle with daily activities. We will work with experts to ensure that all the damages are accounted for in your case.
Because dog bite cases can be complex, it is best to hire an experienced lawyer. Our legal team can make sure that all factors are considered when seeking compensation for your damages.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Accident Victims?
Personal injury victims can typically recover two types of damages, economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover tangible losses, which are easier to calculate because they are supported by bills, pay stubs, and bank statements.
Examples of these damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
On the other hand, non-economic damages address subjective losses that are harder to quantify.
Recoverable non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Under rare circumstances, punitive damages are also available to victims. These damages compensate for a defendant’s particularly egregious or malicious conduct. They are designed to punish the defendant and deter them from similar behavior in the future.
Our attorneys will help you calculate all the damages in your case and fight to recover them.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Under this fee arrangement, you don’t have to worry about paying any upfront or hourly fees. Rather, you will only owe attorney’s fees if your lawyer secures a financial recovery for you. Their fee will typically be 33% to 40% of your settlement or court award.
However, if your attorney loses your case, you will not owe them any money.
This fee arrangement is ideal because anyone can afford legal services. If you have any questions about our contingency fees, please don’t hesitate to call us.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Am Being Blamed for a Dog Bite Incident in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative fault standard, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially responsible for a dog bite incident. As long as your share of fault is less than 51%, you will be entitled to damages in proportion to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you provoked the dog or ignored posted warnings, you may be found to bear 45% of the fault—in which case you would receive 55% of the total award.
Insurance companies will try to use these laws to make unfair allegations of fault. We are fully prepared to handle their tactics and will work to minimize your share of the blame as much as possible.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor to catastrophic.
Here are some of the most common dog bite injuries:
- Nerve damage: Victims who have nerve damage can have temporary or permanent loss of function in their hands, feet, and face.
- Puncture wounds: When a dog bites someone and punctures their skin, they are at risk of infection. Cleaning, medication, and monitoring for symptoms of infection are important.
- Infections: Because of the bacteria in dog’s mouths, infections are not uncommon. Symptoms of infections can include swelling, pain, redness, or a fever.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Scars from dog bites are typically more noticeable than other types of scars because of the jagged edges of dog’s teeth. Disfigurement can affect a person’s self-esteem.
- Emotional and psychological trauma: Dog bite victims may suffer from anxiety, PTSD, and depression, disrupting their daily routines.
Dog bite victims not only face physical pain but also emotional trauma. Seeking ongoing medical treatment for these injuries can also cause significant financial strain. If you are suffering from an injury because of a dog bite, our compassionate attorneys can provide you with the legal guidance you need to move forward with your life.
What Causes Dogs to Bite People?
Dog bites can happen for a number of reasons, some of which are related to the dog owner’s or victim’s conduct.
The most common causes of dog bites and attacks include:
- Provocation or fear
- Poor training
- Inattention to the dog’s needs (e.g., socialization or physical exercise)
- Failure to contain the dog
- A female dog’s maternal instincts
Regardless of the cause, dog owners have a responsibility to care for their dogs and prevent attacks. Failure to restrain a dog or obey leash laws can be deemed negligence. Our attorneys will look at the events leading up to the attack, veterinary records, training history, and whether the law was followed.
If you have been bitten, we will collect evidence and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
A trustworthy dog bite attorney can assist you with your case by:
- Investigating the accident
- Determining whether the dog had a history of aggression
- Calculate your damages
- Handling communications with the insurance company
- Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
You don’t want to have to navigate the complexities of Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws on your own. Your lawyer can walk you through the legal process.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
There is typically a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including dog bites, in Pennsylania. This deadline begins ticking on the day of the accident. The statute of limitations can be extended or shortened depending on whether a government entity or a minor is involved.
Figuring out the deadline that applies to your case can be difficult. Our attorneys will help you manage all relevant deadlines in your case and ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time.
Contact Our Kingston Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been bitten by a dog, you shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, our Kingston dog bite attorneys have the experience and the resources to help you fight for your compensation. We have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $150 million for our clients.
Call our law office to schedule a free consultation.
