Are You the Victim of an Animal Attack? Call our Dog Bite Lawyers in Wayne, PA to Learn About Your Rights
Victims of dog bites and other animal attacks are often left seriously injured or worse. The injuries that victims sustain often leave them with physical, emotional, and financial damages. According
to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dog bites are quite prevalent, with more than 4.5 million people being bitten by a dog each year. Although most of these emergency visits are taken care of and the patient is released, other statistics show that almost 12,500 hospitalizations are due to animal attacks in the United States each year. Even though some victims may not require professional medical attention, often they are left with emotional effects of the event, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and extreme fear. Victims who sustain more serious injuries are often left with permanent disability, scarring or disfigurement, or other harm. If you or a loved one have been injured in any type of serious dog bite or animal attack, call our dog bite lawyers in Wayne, PA, for help.
Here at Silver & Silver, our team of personal injury lawyers understands just how devastating it can be to be bitten by a dog or attacked by another animal. The effects of the incident often persist long after the attack. Many victims will also suffer from injuries such as infections, nerve damage, and other physical harm. Our dedicated team of professionals has worked for over 40 years successfully recovering compensation for our clients and are prepared to do the same for you. Call today for a FREE consultation to learn about your rights under Pennsylvania law.
How Are Dog Bites Different From Other Personal Injury Cases?
While dog bites fall under the category of personal injury cases, they are quite different from other types of personal injury cases. Dog bite cases can be more challenging and have many other differences, which is why it is wise to hire a dog bite lawyer. Some of the common reasons include the following:
- Dog ownership can be difficult to determine when multiple people may have owned the animal
- If you are bitten on the street, the defendant may walk away with the dog and not tell you his or her information (and there is no license plate or other way to track them)
- A handler or walker may not claim ownership of the dog, or may play games with the dog
- Coverage – some insurance policies may not cover a certain dog breed, and some renters may not have insurance to cover it
- Your dog might have barked or startled the other dog making you think that you may have provoked the attack or making the defendant claim you provoked the attack, but that is often not true
- Injuries might start as only lacerations or puncture wounds that you might not think you want to pursue damages or even accept a small settlement from the insurance carrier, but weeks or months later, they could become much more serious and make it harder if not impossible to collect any further compensation
Injuries Dog Bites and Other Animal Attacks Can Cause
Dog bites can cause serious injuries that can cause long-term harm. The most common types of injuries that victims sustain often include nerve damage, damage to tendons and ligaments, and shredded muscle. Other types of injuries can include scarring and disfigurement, internal bleeding, emotional harm, and other injuries.
Additionally, victims often develop infections from their injuries, potentially leading to the need for further medical treatment and for the risk of other serious conditions such as sepsis. Just because the infection takes weeks after a bite does not mean that the defendant will not be liable for it. Any post-bite injuries or infections may be compensable under the law.
Were You Attacked by An Animal or Bitten by a Dog? Call Our Attorneys Today for Help
If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog or was injured in another type of animal attack, our lawyers are ready and willing to help you recover the full amount of compensation that you are eligible for. Compensation for victims may include pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, as well as other damages. Our dog bite lawyers in Wayne, PA, have experience and success with recovering compensation for these types of cases, which can often be quite difficult. Call us today to schedule your FREE consultation by dialing 610-638-7255 or by contacting us on our website’s “contact us” box available here.