Dog bites can cause severe injuries and long-term impairments to victims in Chambersburg, PA. If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Chambersburg, you need Pennsylvania’s top-rated injury lawyers to help you recover compensation for your damages.
Our Chambersburg dog bite lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. With over 120 years of legal experience between them, our injury attorneys can handle the most complicated personal injury cases.
Contact our law firm at (717) 388-2378 to talk with an attorney about how we can help you recover compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. Your initial case review is at no cost to you.
Call now for a free consultation with an experienced Chambersburg dog bite attorney.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help if You’ve Been Injured Because of a Dog Bite in Chambersburg
Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience. A dog bite victim can sustain serious, even catastrophic injuries.
Children bitten by dogs can develop a life-long fear of dogs and other animals. Adults can also experience anxiety and panic attacks if they see a dog after being attacked.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates takes your dog bite injury case very seriously. Pennsylvania dog bite laws are complex. We help you navigate those laws to file claims and lawsuits seeking compensation for all damages.
Our founding lawyer, Christopher Marzzacco, is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, he has been regularly recognized by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers of America for his outstanding legal services.
Attorneys Marzzacco and Niven created Marzzacco Niven & Associates to be advocates for injury victims and their families. Our law firm and attorneys are skilled trial lawyers and exceptional negotiators.
When you hire our award-winning Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers, you can trust that we will:
- Independently investigate the cause of the dog attack to determine who is liable
- Devote the resources and time necessary to build a solid case for damages
- Work with experts to gather additional evidence to strengthen your case
- Document your damages to correctly determine how much your case is worth
- File insurance claims and handle all matters related to those claims
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your case
- File a personal injury lawsuit and argue the case before a jury if the parties refuse to negotiate in good faith
Hiring an experienced Chambersburg personal injury attorney gives you the best chance of receiving the outcome you desire in your case. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule a free case evaluation with a dog bite lawyer in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws and Proving Liability for a Chambersburg Dog Bite Claim
Pennsylvania’s dog laws are a mixture of strict liability and negligence. As such, they can be difficult to interpret.
First, Pennsylvania dog bite laws hold dog owners strictly liable for medical bills if a dog bites someone. The state does not adhere to the one-bite rule that other states use. Instead, the dog owner is strictly liable for medical bills without the victim proving the dog owner was negligent.
However, a dog owner could also be liable for other damages if they were negligent.
All dog owners must follow state and local leash laws. Dog owners are responsible for exercising reasonable control over their dogs to prevent them from injuring someone. When dog owners fail in this duty of care, they can be liable for damages under general negligence laws.
Proving negligence in a dog bite case requires you to produce evidence establishing:
- The dog owner owed you a legal duty of care
- The dog owner breached their duty of care
- The breach of duty caused the dog to bite
- You sustained injuries and damages because of the dog bite
If you prove negligence for a dog bite, you could recover additional economic and non-economic damages.
Special Rules for Dangerous Dogs in Chambersburg, PA
Pennsylvania has special laws that apply to “dangerous dogs” and the damage they cause. A dangerous dog is an animal that has the following:
- Severely injured or attacked a person without provocation on public or private property
- Seriously injured or killed another animal on public property
- Been used in the commission of a crime
Owners of dangerous dogs must follow special rules to protect the public from danger. They must also have special liability insurance in case of an attack. If a dog is designated as a dangerous dog, the dog owner can be liable for all damages from a dog bite or attack.
What Causes a Dog To Bite or Attack Someone?
Domesticated animals are still animals. They bite people for numerous reasons. Common reasons for dog bites include, but are not limited to:
- The dog is frightened or scared
- Someone trained the dog to be aggressive
- The dog is protecting themselves, their owner, or their puppies
- The dog is eating and believes the person is about to take away the food
- Someone teases or provokes a dog
- The dog owner did not adequately train or restrain their dog
- The dog is feeling ill or is hurt
Understanding why a dog might bite someone can help you avoid situations that could lead to a deadly attack. Teaching children dog safety measures can also help prevent a tragic situation.
Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites and Dog Attacks in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Over 4.5 million people report dog bites each year in the United States. More than 800,000 people require medical treatment for dog bites.
A dog bite can cause severe injuries, disfigurement, and permanent impairments. Common injuries caused by dog bites include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial trauma
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Infections
- Paralysis
It is crucial to seek immediate medical treatment for a dog bite. The bite could cause secondary conditions, including infections. Without medical care, the dog bite could result in a wrongful death or disabling condition.
If a dog bites you, see a doctor immediately. Report the dog bite to the authorities and take photos of the injuries. Then, as soon as possible, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule a free consultation with one of our Chambersburg dog bite lawyers.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Dog Bite Case in Chambersburg?
A dog bite can have devastating consequences for the victim. Being attacked by a dog can cause life-altering conditions. Pennsylvania’s tort laws give dog bite victims a legal cause of action to seek compensation for damages.
Economic damages represent the financial losses caused by the dog bite. Those damages include:
- Medical bills
- Long-term care
- Reconstructive surgery
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- A decrease in earning capacity
- Counseling and rehabilitative therapy
Non-economic damages compensate you for your intangible damages. These damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- PTSD and other trauma-related conditions
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disabilities and impairments
- A decrease in quality of life
The value of damages depends on many factors. The severity of your injuries and the type of injuries caused by the dog attack are significant factors. Generally, damages are greater when the person suffers traumatic or catastrophic injuries.
If a person dies because of a dog bite or attack, the family can seek compensation for damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. No amount of money compensates a victim or their family for the harm caused by a negligent dog owner. However, a financial settlement can help with expenses and costs of care.
Pennsylvania’s Comparative Negligence Law and Dog Bite Claims
A dog owner or insurance company might try to blame you for causing the dog bite. Under the state’s contributory fault laws, you are barred from receiving any money for damages if you are 51% or more to blame for your injuries. If you are less than 51% to blame, you could receive compensation for injuries, but your percentage of fault reduces the amount.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Chambersburg Dog Bite Lawyer?
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our attorneys represent clients for a contingency fee. Instead of paying a retainer fee when you hire our law firm, you pay our legal fees after we recover a settlement or jury verdict.
The attorney’s fees are based on a percentage of the amount we recover for your case. You agree to the percentage for our fees when you sign the contingency fee agreement.
Therefore, you do not need to worry about how to pay a Chambersburg dog bite injury lawyer. We only get paid when you get paid.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Chambersburg, PA?
The deadline for filing most dog bite claims is two years from the injury. If you do not file a lawsuit before the deadline, you cannot pursue a case in court.
There could be exceptions to the two-year rule that could change the deadline. The best way to avoid losing your right to sue a dog owner is to talk with one of our Chambersburg dog bite lawyers as soon as possible after an attack.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Chambersburg Dog Bite Attorneys
You deserve to be compensated for the emotional, financial, and physical damages caused by a dog bite. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we want to help you receive a fair settlement. Call us today to schedule a free case review with one of our Chambersburg dog bite injury attorneys.