A dog attack in Pennsylvania can lead to a very different legal outcome than the same attack in Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, or New York. In fact, there are no federal laws governing dog bites. Each state has its own rules for holding dog owners responsible. Some states make owners…
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A Dog Bite in Public Housing or on Other Government Property
Let’s say a dangerous dog attacks someone at a public housing complex. Before the attack, residents warned the housing authority about the dog. Yet the authority failed to address the danger. Those facts may suggest negligence. However, successfully bringing a claim against a governmental landlord requires more than proving that…
Update: Has Any PA Court Interpreted the 2024 Dog Law Amendment?
We’ve written about how most states impose strict liability for a dog bite, yet Pennsylvania has held out, demanding proof of negligence. In PA, an unprovoked attack could provide a basis for negligence per se. However, in PA, proof of the attack alone was generally not enough to establish that…
When Is a Dog Bite Scar Considered Permanent?
A permanent scar can be worth substantially more in a legal recovery than an injury that heals without lasting disfigurement. However, determining when a scar is truly permanent is rarely as simple as looking at it a few months after an attack. A dog bite wound can heal in weeks….
When Should You Ask a PA Judge to Recuse?
When a dog bite case fails to settle, the parties may find themselves in court. There, a judge may rule in favor of the defendants repeatedly, on seemingly “everything,” such as discovery motions or other pre-trial motions. You might think: “This isn’t fair. When can I ask a judge…
Health Treatment Records | Confidentiality After a Dog Bite in PA
The medical records often contain highly sensitive information (e.g., height, weight, medications, prior medical conditions) along with key details about physical injuries from a dog bite. For example, a record may include the size of a puncture wound, nature of fractures, extent of nerve damage, or possibility for infections. Many…
Dog Bite on Another’s Real Property? Your Status (License, Trespasser, or Invitee) Matters
If a dog escapes another’s property and attacks you on yours, that’s easy: clear liability in PA. But let’s say you were bitten by a dog while you’re standing on another’s real property as a social guest, delivery driver, etc. Whether you were invited onto the property, merely…
Fireworks, Family Gatherings, and Liability For Frightened Dogs
The Fourth of July is a time for fireworks, backyard cookouts, family reunions, and neighborhood celebrations. For many people, it is one of the highlights of the summer. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most stressful weekends of the year for dogs. As a result, it can become an…
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Dog Attack in PA?
Many people assume that if a dog attacks them, they must prove the owner was negligent before anyone is responsible for their medical bills. Pennsylvania law, however, provides important statutory protection for victims of dog attacks. Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law, the owner or keeper of a dog may be legally…
Dog Owners Increasingly Face Jail Time for Serious Dog Attacks
Pennsylvania and many other states have rarely imposed imprisonment for the owner of a dog that fatally attacks someone. In fact, in PA, an online search reveals only one instance in the past ten years where a person served jail time for his dog mauling someone. But times are changing. …