Indiana
Dog Bite Lawyer

On This Page

1. Damages in Dog Bite Claims
2. Dangerous Dogs Under Pennsylvania Law
3. Persons Who May Be Liable for Dog Attacks
4. Contact Our Offices for Legal Help Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Dog owners have a legal responsibility to prevent their dogs from hurting other people. When owners fail to protect others from their dogs, they may face liability for the resulting injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite, an Indiana dog bite lawyer from Berger and Green can assist you with your dog bite claim or lawsuit. We can explain what evidence it takes to hold a dog owner or other party liable for your injuries.

Damages in Dog Bite Claims

Under 3 P.S. § 459-502(b)(1), dog owners will be responsible for medical expenses related to injuries that their dogs cause, regardless of whether they were negligent in controlling their dogs.

The dog owner or a third party could be liable for other losses if they were negligent in confining and maintaining control over the dog. If the dog that bit you was previously dangerous, you can also cover additional damages.

Some of these types of damages might include:

• Lost income due to an inability to work as a result of the injuries
• Loss of future income or earning capacity if the dog bite or attack leads to permanent impairment and an inability to return to work
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental trauma resulting from the dog attack

The damages in a particular dog bite or dog attack claim depend on the severity of the injuries, the injuries’ duration, and the impact of the injuries on the injury victim’s life.

Getting legal advice at the outset of these situations can ensure that you include all potential damages in your claim for compensation.

Dangerous Dogs Under Pennsylvania Law

Under 3 P.S § 459-502-A, a “dangerous dog” is one that has a history of or predisposition to attacking people or other domestic animals, even if nothing provokes it, and that meets one of the following criteria:

• Someone has used the dog to commit a crime
• The dog previously caused serious injuries to another person without provocation
• The dog previously caused serious injuries to a domestic animal while not on the property of its owner
• The dog previously attacked another person without provocation

A Dog Owner Could Be Negligent

Owners of dogs that meet this definition must take certain precautions concerning their dogs, such as:

• Registering the dogs
• Keeping the dogs confined
• Keeping them muzzled and on a leash when outside of an enclosed area

If an owner fails to take these precautions and their dog attacks and injures someone, they can face liability.

Even if a Dog Is Not Categorized as “Dangerous,” You Can Still Pursue Damages

A dog does not necessarily have to meet the “dangerous” definition for a bite victim to pursue compensation against its owner. Even if a dog is not dangerous, the owner still must keep the dog under control via a leash or enclosure at all times under 3 P.S. § 459-305.

An Indiana dog bite lawyer from Berger and Green can evaluate the circumstances that led to your injuries and determine whether you have a legally valid personal injury claim to pursue.

Persons Who May Be Liable for Dog Attacks

The following are some of the parties that Berger and Green can seek compensation from in your case:

Dog Owners

The most obvious person who may be liable for a dog attack or bite is the owner of the dog. The dog owner has some liability for the costs of the injuries that the dog causes others, no matter the circumstances.

Additionally, when a dog owner is negligent and allows a dog to become out of control and injure or attempt to injure others, the owner can face further liability under state law beyond the medical bills for treating the injury victim.

However, other people can be liable for dog bite injuries, as well.

Dog Keepers

For instance, the “keepers” of a dog may be liable if the dog attacks someone while under their care. A keeper can be:

• A dog walker
• Someone running a dog board service or daycare
• Anyone who took care of the dog for its owner at the time of the attack

Landlords

In some cases, landlords can be liable if a dog belonging to their tenant attacks or bites another person.

A landlord who is aware of the tenant’s dangerous dog and can remove the dog from the property or require that the tenants control the dog at all times can be liable for injuries the dog causes while on the property.

Contact Our Offices for Legal Help Today

Acting quickly to get legal advice following a severe dog bite or attack can be crucial to your ability to recover the maximum amount of damages possible for your claim. Get an evaluation of your situation from an Indiana dog bite lawyer from Berger and Green to determine whether you have a valid claim.

If you are eligible to seek compensation for your injuries or injuries to your loved one, we can guide you through the complex process of filing a personal injury claim stemming from a dog bite or attack.

At Berger and Green, we can help you gather the evidence necessary to support a negligence claim against all liable parties. While you focus on your medical treatment and recovery, we can work on moving your claim toward a resolution.

Together, we can strive to get compensation for your losses to assist you with the recovery process. Call us at (412) 661-1400 and learn more about the legal services that we can offer you.