FAQs About Dangerous Dog Laws

I was severely injured by a dog so won’t my case be simple to prove and win damages?

Not necessarily. Many attorneys claim to be experts in handling dog bite cases; they may even boast an impressive settlement rate. But there is a big difference between getting a settlement and getting a fair settlement.

Common Mistakes Made by Inexperienced Dog Bite Lawyers

Common mistakes made by inexperienced personal injury lawyers that can affect the outcome of your case include:

• Being overly confident and relying solely on Pennsylvania’s strict liability statutes. Being attacked and severely injured is not enough to prove your case is worthy of significant damages. A poorly presented case will result in little or no damage compensation; you could lose your entire case if the defendant’s attorney presents more convincing evidence than your attorney.
• Failing to collect sufficient evidence including incomplete medical records. Most doctors will send digitized copies of patient medical records; but equally important are any hand written notes about the victim’s treatment. Digitized records may not include important notes like the victim’s state of mind or information about the facts surrounding the attack the victim told to the doctor. This also applies to collecting evidence and testimonies from veterinarians who are familiar with the accused dog. Chart notes about the dog’s behavior, potential for aggression, and treatment details injuries sustained in any past dog fights may not be included in digitized records.
• Poorly conducted depositions. Using inexperienced interviewers to collect testimonies from neighbors, family members, witnesses, etc. can result in failure to collect important information.
• Failure to investigate the scene. In a California dog bite case two young girls were attacked and mauled by a neighbor’s two dogs who jumped the fence. The owner claimed her dogs were not dangerous and that this was the first time they had ever jumped the fence. When the scene was investigated, multiple claw marks were found at the top of the fence showing evidence that the dogs had clearly jumped the fence on more than one occasion.
• Failing to evaluate the dog in a timely manner. Dogs that attack may be destroyed or given away. It is important that the dog be evaluated for aggressive tenancies and behavior as soon after the attack as possible.

Other important considerations on the amount of money you can collect include whether or not more than one party can be sued (i.e., a landlord.), and whether or not the defendant (dog owner) has insurance. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers who will try to prove that the dog’s owner is not liable for the attack. We will work hard to prove that they are.

Our lawyers will spend the time necessary to properly develop your case because we know the amount of liability that falls on the defendant (dog owner) depends upon how well we present your case. In order to get the best settlement – a fair settlement, it is necessary to be in a superior position in negotiations than the defense.

Our expert dog bite attorneys have the knowledge and experience needed to uncover the facts of your case and take legal action to get you the compensation you deserve including payment for medical expenses and fair damages for severe injuries.

For a free consultation, contact an experienced dog bite attorney today toll free at 866-720-4699 or use our online submission form to tell us about your case.

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