Are you the victim of a dog bite in Scranton, Pennsylvania? If so, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. Being bitten by a dog can be a scary experience, and it can be overwhelming to figure out how to pursue a personal injury claim related to a dog bite incident.
With Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC at your side, you’ll have experienced and compassionate legal professionals standing by your side every step of the way. You don’t have to handle your legal issues alone. Call our team of Scranton dog bite lawyers at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Can Help After a Dog Bite Incident in Scranton, PA
If you’ve suffered a dog bite injury in Scranton, PA, you have many options when it comes to choosing a lawyer. The legal team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC brings over 100 years of combined experience to the table, with a proven track record of success. In the past 25 years, we’ve recovered more than $150 million for our clients. Partner Edward Ciarimboli has been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyer list annually for the past 17 years.
To ensure that our clients get fair compensation for injuries sustained in connection with dog bites, our Scranton personal injury attorneys will:
- Investigate the circumstances of the incident
- Identify the responsible parties
- Gather evidence (e.g., police reports, witness statements, medical records)
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies and other involved parties
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, our strategy may also include consultation with appropriate experts to help us build the strongest case possible for you. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you. Call our Scranton dog bite attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
What is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
The amount of money that you may receive as a result of your injuries will depend on a number of factors.
Relevant considerations include:
- The nature of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment
- The length of your recovery
- How the injury impacts your work
- How the injury changed your lifestyle
- Your emotional distress and physical pain
- Whether you’ll suffer any permanent damage
When you work with Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC in Scranton, Pennsylvania, you can rest assured that we will gather all of the information necessary to make an informed assessment of your claim. Our goal is to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, dog bite cases are governed by the strict liability rule. This means that a dog owner is held responsible if their dog bites someone, whether the attack occurs in a public place or in a private location where the victim is lawfully present. The owner’s liability is not dependent on the dog’s past behavior or whether the dog has shown any prior signs of aggression. The owner is still held accountable even if the dog has no history of biting or behaving viciously.
However, the victim’s actions can influence the dog’s owner’s liability. If the victim is negligent—such as ignoring warnings from the owner or provoking the dog—this can reduce the owner’s responsibility.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that you can still recover compensation if you’re partially at fault for the incident, but your share of responsibility will reduce the amount of damages you can receive. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for the bite, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. It’s important to note that if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation.
Our experienced Scranton personal injury lawyers can evaluate the details of your case, determine if comparative fault applies, and guide you through the process to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?
Damages are the losses you have incurred as a result of the dog bite incident. Because so many factors go into determining the value of your personal injury claim, calculating damages is often complex. You may be able to receive both economic and non-economic damages.
Under Pennsylvania’s strict liability law, the owner or keeper of the dog is responsible for all medical costs incurred by a dog bite victim.
To recover other economic damages (e.g., lost wages) and/or non-economic damages that compensate you for intangible losses (e.g., pain and suffering, emotional distress), you need to establish negligence on the part of the dog owner.
There are four parts to a negligence claim that you must prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached this duty of care (i.e., they did not act in a reasonable manner)
- You were injured because the defendant breached their duty of care
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
For example, under Pennsylvania’s dangerous dog law, a dog owner who is aware that their dog is dangerous must keep the dog inside a proper enclosure, unless the dog is muzzled and restrained and under the physical control of its owner.
A “dangerous dog” is one that:
- Has inflicted severe injury or killed a person or domestic animal without provocation,
- Has a history of violence, or
- Engages in behavior that indicates a propensity for being a significant threat to public safety
Failure to follow the dangerous dog law can result in the owner being found negligent (in addition to facing potential criminal liability).
In rare cases, if the other party was engaging in extremely negligent or reckless behavior, you may also be able to receive punitive (or “extra”) damages.
In each and every case, our Scranton personal injury attorneys at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC will use their extensive knowledge and expertise to build your case based upon a fair and accurate claim that takes into account all of the ways your injury has impacted you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer after a dog bite incident because they don’t think they can afford one. However, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.
When you hire us, you will not be required to pay us any money upfront. We will receive a percentage of the compensation you recover if–and only if–we settle or win the lawsuit on your behalf.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause a wide range of minor and significant injuries.
Some common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Soft tissue injuries, including bruises and lacerations
- Facial injuries, including disfigurement and scarring
- Catastrophic injuries
- Nerve damage
- Emotional trauma
Regardless of the type of injury you’ve suffered, it is important to receive prompt medical attention and treatment if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Whatever your injuries are, we will analyze them and work toward securing maximum compensation for you.
How Common are Dog Bites in Scranton, Pennsylvania?
Injuries from dog bites are all too common in Pennsylvania and across the country. Approximately 334,000 people are admitted to US emergency departments annually with dog bite-associated injuries, and another 466,000 are seen in other medical settings. According to the United States Postal Service, Pennsylvania is one of the “Top 10 Dog Bite States,” with 334 dog bites involving postal carriers in a recent year.
The Humane Society estimates 51% of dog bite victims are children, with children between the ages of 5-9 being the most likely to be bit.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law generally gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are, however, considerations that may change this deadline based on the specifics of your particular case. The bottom line is that it’s best not to wait too long, as you don’t want to risk being barred from financial recovery if you miss the deadline.
Contact Our Scranton Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
It’s not always easy to know what to do after a dog bite. However, you don’t have to go through this challenging time on your own. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC can help. We will evaluate your case and advise what to do next. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Scranton dog bite lawyer to learn more about your options.
