Johnstown
Dog Bite Lawyer

On This Page

1. Dog Bites in Pennsylvania
2. Recoverable Compensation in Johnstown, PA, Dog Bite Cases
3. Our Johnstown Injury Lawyers Can Build Your Dog Bite Case
4. Statute of Limitations Deadline in Pennsylvania Dog Bite Cases
5. Dog Bite Injuries and Complications
6. Your Johnstown Dog Bite Lawyer Can Fight for Your Rights

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Many people have beloved family pets and do everything they can to keep them and others safe during their interactions with humans. However, despite their best intentions, unexpected things can happen. If you or a loved one suffered injuries, property damage, and medical expenses from a dog attack in the Johnstown, PA, area, you could receive compensation to pay your medical bills and cover other incident-related damages.

If you suffered significant injuries in a dog attack, our Johnstown personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether you have legal recourse and could receive compensation. If you intend to hold an irresponsible dog owner to account for your damages, Berger and Green can help to shed light on your legal options and the next best steps. Call us today for a complimentary consultation.

Dog Bites in Pennsylvania

Dog bites can be painful as well as costly. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Pennsylvania was in sixth place on a list of the top 10 states ranked for dog bites and the cost of attacks in 2019. The figures from the III show that there were 807 dog bite claims in Pennsylvania at an average cost of $35,562 in 2019.

In many states, dog owners are automatically liable when their dog bites and attacks an individual. In Pennsylvania, an owner is responsible for the medical bills from an injury caused by their dog. However, if the victim wants to recover compensation for pain and suffering, they are generally required to prove that a dog is vicious or to prove the owner’s negligence in not properly controlling the animal. This can mean that victims face an uphill battle trying to get justice. They will have to prove that a dog owner either:

• Failed to keep their dog under control
• Did not warn others about the aggressiveness of their dog
• Failed to keep a dangerous dog away from other persons

Your case might be particularly challenging if the dog that attacked you was properly restrained and considered docile. Since proving a dog owner’s negligence can be tricky but is necessary for recovering pain and suffering compensation in Pennsylvania, you should consider working with a dog bite attorney who can potentially help prove your claim.

Recoverable Compensation in Johnstown, PA, Dog Bite Cases

In a dog bite personal injury lawsuit, your recoverable damages will depend on various factors unique to your case. The severity of your injuries, your medical treatment costs, your future healthcare needs, the facts of your case, and other variables can affect the monetary value of your case.

You could potentially seek the following damages, depending on your injuries and financial losses:

• Medical bills and future medical expenses (including prescription medications)
• Rehabilitation expenses 
• Costs of psychological counseling
• Lost income and future lost income
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Emotional distress and suffering
• Physical pain and suffering
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Disability

In your specific claim, you could be entitled to other or additional types of compensation.

Our Johnstown Injury Lawyers Can Build Your Dog Bite Case

While you heal from your injuries, our injury law firm will take care of your case. This means we will investigate the incident to learn more about what happened and collect evidence that helps us build your case, such as:

• Your medical records
• A police report
• An animal control report
• Witness testimony
• Expert witness testimony
• Surveillance video footage

Our investigation will allow us to identify all the potentially liable parties if more than one person or entity can be held accountable. We can also handle all settlement negotiations with an insurance company or another party. If we cannot settle your case outside of court, we can seek compensation for your damages at trial.

We will update you on your case regularly after we file it on time by Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations deadline.

Statute of Limitations Deadline in Pennsylvania Dog Bite Cases

If you intend to file a lawsuit and recover compensation for your injuries, you should hire a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Pa. C.S.A § 5524 generally gives victims of dog attacks only two years to file legal action against a negligent dog owner.

Filing too late can potentially prohibit you from getting your due. Your dog bite lawyer can determine the ideal timing for your lawsuit.

Dog Bite Injuries and Complications

Victims of serious dog bite injuries can experience excruciating physical pain and considerable emotional trauma. Dog bite injuries can potentially also have long-term consequences, including ongoing medical costs and physical therapy, for example. Injuries suffered in dog attacks can include:

• Head and facial injuries
• Fractures and crushed bones
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lacerations and deep puncture wounds
• Nerve damage
• Tendon and muscle injuries
• Wound infections
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Sepsis

Victims of a serious and prolonged attack may end up having to undergo multiple surgeries, potentially including plastic surgery and skin grafting. Moreover, dog bites require prompt medical intervention due to the fact that infections can present serious complications, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Emotional Injuries

While we tend to concentrate on physical injuries, dog attacks can have emotional consequences that could affect victims for years. The psychological effects of dog attacks on victims can include:

• Damaged self-esteem due to permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Intense and debilitating fear of dogs
• Flashbacks of the attack
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Fear of leaving the safety of their home
• Feelings of anger
• Depression and isolation

Emotional wounds, just like physical wounds, may require extensive attention, such as psychological counseling and medication. Those who suffer from trauma and psychological effects due to a dog attack are generally entitled to seek compensation for their emotional suffering as well as their physical wounds.

Seek Medical Help for a Dog Bite Injury as Soon as Possible

If you have suffered injuries in a dog attack, even if they appear minor, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Dog bites generally require prompt and professional wound treatment since the lacerations and puncture wounds can potentially harbor serious infections.

Visiting a medical professional and obtaining a written medical report stating all your injuries and treatments will also serve as crucial evidence if you intend to hold an irresponsible dog owner to account for your injuries and expenses.

Dog bites can severely impact your physical and mental health. However, they can also leave a big dent in your finances, depending on the severity of your injuries and any medical intervention you need. Medical costs can be astronomical, especially when a victim requires surgeries and physical therapy. If a dog owner’s negligence caused your injuries and expenses, they should pay for your medical costs and other damages.

If you have any questions regarding a potential dog bite lawsuit, you can get in touch with Berger and Green today for help and advice. Our Johnstown dog bite lawyer might be able to help you. 

Your Johnstown Dog Bite Lawyer Can Fight for Your Rights

Dog claims are not necessarily straightforward in Pennsylvania. Proving a dog owner’s negligence and holding them to account successfully can require a substantial amount of evidence and a great deal of tenacity. However, if you suffered injuries and damages in a dog attack in Johnstown recently, you do not have to struggle with a claim on your own.

Berger and Green can be by your side every step of the way. We can professionally represent your best interests and protect your legal rights. Berger and Green is committed to helping dog bite victims get the compensation that they deserve. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, where we will review your dog bite case.