Pittsburgh
Emotional Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Lawyer

On This Page

1. Pittsburgh Dog Bite Attorneys
2. Explaining What Constitutes as a Dangerous Dog
3. The Emotional Impact of a Dog Bite
4. You May Be Entitled to These Recoverable Damages
5. Your Lawyer Will Compile Evidence That Supports Your Case
6. Pennsylvania’s Dog Bite Statute of Limitations

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Pittsburgh Dog Bite Attorneys

Were you or someone you love the victim of a dog bite? A dog bite can leave you with a sudden fear of animals, mental health complications, nightmares, and changes to your personality. When a dog bite leads to these aftereffects, the dog’s owner may be held responsible for the short and long-term cost of the injuries their pet caused.

A lawyer from Berger and Green can help you prove the identity of the dog and its owner. Your lawyer will also help you prove the owner’s negligence and itemize the cost of your incident-related expenses.

A Pittsburgh emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder lawyer can help you cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of a dog bite or attack. Contact the personal injury team at Berger and Green by calling (412) 661-1400 today.

Explaining What Constitutes as a Dangerous Dog

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture notes that in a broad sense, a dangerous dog is an animal that attacks a person without cause. If a pet owner knows that their dog acts unpredictably in social situations, then they need to take reasonable precautions to prevent an accident from happening.

A dangerous dog is an animal that:

• Inflicts serious injury to another person without being provoked
• Kills or inflicts serious injury to an animal while off the owner’s property
• Attacks a person without apparent cause
• Has been used as an accomplice in a crime

A dog that has a history of attacks or has the inclination to attack another living thing could also qualify as a dangerous dog. Your lawyer can explain in more detail how they can work to prove the dog’s aggression and its owner’s negligence.

The Emotional Impact of a Dog Bite

According to UPMC Children’s Hospital, the aftermath of a dog bite can cause emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If you, your child, or another member of your family suffered a dog bite, emotional symptoms can include:

• A fear of dogs and other animals
• Single or repeated nightmares
• Weight loss or gain
• Trouble sleeping
• Otherwise unexplained stuttering

You might also develop other fears, including being afraid to go outside or interact with animals in general. UPMC Children’s Hospital cites the need for ongoing, professional help to cope with your symptoms following a dog bite. Treating emotional trauma or PTSD after a dog bite can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years.

A Pittsburgh emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder lawyer can help you get financial compensation for your medical bills and psychological distress following a dog bite. When you are ready to hold the at-fault dog owner financially responsible, contact Berger and Green at (412) 661-1400.

You May Be Entitled to These Recoverable Damages

Treating a dog bite can require immediate and future medical care to treat or reduce visible scars. It can also require ongoing mental health counseling to treat any psychological distress you have experienced because of the incident.

When the injuries stemming from a dog bite are combined with mental and emotional anguish, your recovery time can affect your ability to work and socialize with others. It can also play into the amount of compensation you can receive.

Your recoverable damages after a dog bite may include:

• The cost of immediate and future medical bills
• Mental health counseling, including the cost of medications
• Lost wages, if the injured party had to miss work due to their injuries
• Diminished earning capacity, if the injured party could not work in the same capacity as they did before the dog bite
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological distress
• Physical disfigurement
• Disability

Review the cost of your injuries with a lawyer who can make sure your damages are correctly valued. A miscalculation could result in your claim being undervalued, which can result in ineffective settlement negotiations. Our team is committed to your case’s success. At Berger and Green, we will work hard to help you receive a settlement that covers your financial expenses and losses.

Your Lawyer Will Compile Evidence That Supports Your Case

Your case will be built on evidence that shows how a negligent party’s actions led to you being harmed. All dog owners have a responsibility to prevent their animals from biting or otherwise attacking others. The evidence in your case will be used to prove the date, time, location of the attack, the owner’s identity, and the nature of your injuries.

To support your personal injury case, our team will collect and review:

• Police or incident reports
• The dog’s tag information
• Witness statements
• Photos of your injuries
• Your medical records and bills
• Your employment and salary records

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture notes that every dog that is over three months old must be licensed and have a current rabies vaccination. Your lawyer can review the dog’s veterinary history to see if the dog’s owner upheld these obligations.

Your lawyer may be able to provide proof that the dog’s owner:

• Failed to license their animal
• Failed to properly control their dog
• Failed to properly vaccinate their dog

You do not have to pursue the at-fault dog owner on your own. Your lawyer can help you compile the proof and evidence that your case requires. They can also help identify and assign financial liability to the dog’s owner.

Pennsylvania’s Dog Bite Statute of Limitations

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is a time-sensitive matter. You may need to file a lawsuit to get the compensation you need and deserve. However, you must file your personal injury lawsuit within Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. According to 42 Pa. CSA § 5524, you are generally limited to two years to file a lawsuit for damages.

The state’s clock starts ticking from the date the dog bite occurred.

If you do not file your lawsuit in compliance with the two-year time limit:

• You will not be allowed to file your lawsuit.
• The dog’s owner cannot be compelled to compensate you.

Do not put your right to compensation in jeopardy. When you get in touch with Berger and Green today, we can provide more information regarding how long you have to file a lawsuit. We can also determine if any elements of your case could grant you additional time to act.

Start Pursuing Financial Recovery Today

If you or someone you love was the victim of a dog bite or attack, you can suffer from long-term psychological damage. Find out how a Pittsburgh emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder lawyer can help you pursue the dog’s owner for the cost of treating your physical and emotional injuries.

Call Berger and Green today by dialing (412) 661-1400.