Harrisburg Dog Bite Attorneys

Helping You Find the Best Path Forward

Dog bite injuries can be traumatizing. While you're dealing with recovering from your injuries and improving your mental and physical wellbeing, it can be daunting to think about filing a personal injury case.

At Scaringi Law, our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers have the tools to help you navigate your personal injury lawsuit. We'll support you and advocate for your rights in court, so you can focus on recovering from your accident.

To schedule a consultation with our firm, contact us online or via phone at (717) 775-7195.

Can I File a Personal Injury Suit for a Dog Bite?

To file a personal injury case against someone, you must prove that the person responsible for your injury was negligent, and their negligence caused the accident to occur.

Many states operate under "strict liability" statutes for dog bites. Under strict liability laws, dog owners are responsible for dog bite injuries, even if the dog doesn't have a history of aggression prior to the attack, or the owner wasn't negligent. Strict liability only covers medical expenses—to recoup compensation for other expenses, like lost wages, dog bite victims must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous and still neglected to control it.

However, Pennysylvania doesn't use strict liability statutes for dog bite cases. In the case of Franciscus v. Sevdik, 135 A.3d 1092 (2016), the Court held, “Pennsylvania has declined to adopt that rule (strict liability). We have concluded instead that ‘proof of negligence, in contrast to holding one absolutely liable, is the vehicle by which accountability for injury sustained because of a dog bite is to be established.”

This arguably makes it harder for Pennsylvanians to receive medical compensation for a dog attack, since dog bite victims must prove the owner was negligent—whereas under strict liability statutes, owners are responsible for medical expenses regardless of proof of negligence. However, the absence of strict liability laws in PA may also make it easier for dog bite victims to recoup other compensation, such as lost wages, after they pass the hurdle of proving negligence.

Due to the unique way PA handles dog bite cases, winning a personal injury case for a dog bite can be challenging. That's why it's so important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer at your side.

At Scaringi Law, our Harrisburg dog bite attorneys will give you the care and compassion you deserve.

To schedule a consultation with our firm, contact us online or via phone at (717) 775-7195.