Dog bites cause many severe injuries yearly, especially to children. When irresponsible owners do not leash and control their animals, tragedy can result.
If a dog injures you or your child, the renowned attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will fight for you. You deserve to get paid for your suffering and hold the negligent owner accountable. A Reading dog bite lawyer will be your legal advocate after a severe injury.
Dogs Can Cause Severe Injuries
Dogs have powerful jaws, and their bites can cause devastating damage. Some common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds and deep cuts
- Soft tissue injuries to the bite site and surrounding areas
- Infections of the wounded area
- Crushed or broken bones, especially in the hands
- Traumatic amputation of fingers or toes
- Loss of an ear or facial features like the nose or lip
- Facial trauma, including injuries that cause blindness
- Disease or preventative vaccination against diseases, such as Tetanus or Rabies
Sometimes, dog attacks can cause fatal injuries. In these situations, our Reading attorneys can help the surviving family members pursue a wrongful death claim against the dog’s owner.
Dog attack survivors may also experience significant emotional trauma like PTSD or depression. An attack could cause a person to be afraid of dogs for the rest of their life. Your dog bite attorney in Reading will ensure you get appropriate compensation for your emotional suffering and payments for your medical expenses and other losses.
Dog Laws in Reading
Dog owners in Pennsylvania must pay victims’ medical bills when their pets injure other people. When a dog owner is irresponsible or careless, and their animal causes harm, the owner also must pay for the injured victim’s:
- Physical pain
- Emotional anguish
- Inconvenience
- Embarrassment
- Scarring
- Disability
- Loss of life’s pleasures
A dog owner must reimburse your lost wages if you cannot work while recovering. Your experienced local attorney can help recover compensation for every effect of the dog attack.
Proving Liability for a Dog Attack
One way to demonstrate the dog owner’s liability is to prove they broke the law. 3 Pennsylvania Statute §459-305 requires a dog owner to control their pet when it is off their property. Putting the dog on a leash is not all that is needed. The person handling the leash must be able to control the animal.
If a dog was unleashed or leashed but still managed to attack, the owner owes you payment. Your Reading dog bite attorney will help you calculate and record your losses to seek appropriate compensation.
Don’t Wait to Contact Legal Counsel
Dog bite incidents can raise complex issues. If the dog belongs to someone you know, you might be confused about what to do. You could be concerned that bringing a legal claim could endanger your relationship with the dog’s owner.
Trusting your case to a legal professional is usually the best decision. Your lawyer could negotiate with the dog owner’s lawyer or insurance company. You will get paid according to your losses; personal relationships do not affect the process.
Even if you don’t know the dog’s owner, you should contact a Reading lawyer immediately. The insurance company for the dog’s owner might approach you with a settlement offer after the attack. These offers are usually far too low. Your dog bite attorney will protect your rights and demand fair payment.
Contact a Reading Attorney After a Dog Attack
Dog attacks can cause terrible injuries, and you may need significant resources to get the medical care you need. If the owner was careless or irresponsible, they owe you for the harm you should have never suffered.
A Reading dog bite lawyer at our firm can handle every aspect of your case while you focus on making your best recovery. In one local case, Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers achieved a settlement of $375,000 for a client attacked by a pit bull. She broke her hip, requiring surgery.
We are here to help you recover and fight for justice on your behalf. Call us today to get started.
