Personal Injury Claims - A Guide for Dog Bite Victims
A walk in the park or a visit to a neighbor’s house can turn frightening in an instant because of an aggressive dog. Seeking legal guidance after a dog bite allows you to focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the process of securing the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and suffering.
At Goldstein Heslop Steele Clapper Oswalt & Smith, we understand the physical and emotional trauma that follows a dog attack. With over a century of service, our attorneys have established a legacy of dedicated client support. If you’ve been a victim of a dog bite, you have a team ready to support you.
Located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, our firm serves clients throughout the Blair County area, including Tyrone, Frankstown, Hollidaysburg, Williamsburg, Gallitzin, Cresson, Claysburg, Huntingdon, and Bellwood.
Do This Immediately After a Dog Bite
The moments following a dog bite can be chaotic and painful. Taking proper steps can protect your health and support your personal injury claim.
First and foremost, your safety is the top priority. Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the animal to prevent another attack. Do not try to confront the dog or its owner. Once you are in a safe location, assess your injuries.
Seek medical attention right away. Even if the wound seems minor, dog bites carry a high risk of infection. A doctor can properly clean the wound, determine if you need stitches, and check for signs of infection. They will also document the extent of your injuries, which is a key piece of evidence for your claim. Be sure to ask for a copy of your medical records.
If possible, gather information at the scene. Get the dog owner's name, address, and phone number. If there were any witnesses, ask for their contact details as well. Their testimony can be valuable. Take photos of your injuries, the location where the bite occurred, and the dog if you can do so safely. This visual evidence helps paint a clear picture of the incident.
Finally, report the bite to your local animal control or police department. In most places, this formal report creates an official record of the incident and helps authorities track potentially dangerous animals in the community.
Understanding Liability in Dog Bite Cases
After a dog bite, one of the first questions people ask is, "Who is responsible?" In most situations, the dog's owner is liable for the injuries and damages their animal causes. Proving this liability is a core part of your personal injury claim.
The key is to show that the owner’s negligence led to the attack. Negligence can take many forms. For example, if an owner allows their dog to roam freely without a leash in an area where leashes are required, they are acting negligently. Similarly, if an owner is aware that their dog has an aggressive history but fails to take precautions, such as muzzling it in public or securing it in a fenced yard, they can be held responsible.
We strive to build a strong case by gathering evidence that demonstrates the owner’s failure to control their animal. This might include witness statements, photos from the scene, animal control reports, and any history of prior aggression from the dog. By connecting the owner's actions (or inaction) to your injuries, we establish their legal responsibility.
Dog Bite Laws in Pennsylvania
Understanding Pennsylvania laws governing dog bites is beneficial for victims. State laws can be categorized into two primary areas: medical cost liability and additional damages.
Under Pennsylvania law, a dog owner is automatically responsible for the victim's medical costs, regardless of whether the dog had a history of aggression. This is known as "strict liability." As long as you were not trespassing on the owner’s property and did not provoke the dog, the owner must cover your medical bills resulting from the bite.
To recover compensation for other damages—such as lost wages, pain and suffering, or scarring—the situation is different. For these claims, you must prove the dog owner was negligent.
This typically requires showing one of two things: either that the dog had a known "dangerous propensity" (a history of aggression) or that the owner violated the state’s confinement and control laws, often referred to as a "leash law." If we can prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous or failed to keep it properly restrained, you can pursue a claim for the full scope of your damages.
This is why reporting the incident and documenting everything is so important. An official report and evidence of the dog’s history can make a significant difference in the compensation you can recover.
Calculating Compensation for Your Injuries
A dog bite can result in a wide range of damages, including both economic and non-economic losses. A personal injury claim aims to secure compensation that covers all these losses. We calculate the full impact of the incident on your life to present a complete claim.
Economic damages are the direct financial losses you have suffered. These are often the easiest to quantify and include:
Medical bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit to follow-up appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
Future medical costs: If your injury requires long-term care, such as plastic surgery for scarring or ongoing therapy, we calculate the expected future costs.
Lost wages: If you couldn't work while recovering, we seek compensation for the income you lost.
Loss of earning capacity: In cases of severe injury that prevent you from returning to your previous job, we can claim damages for your diminished ability to earn a living.
Non-economic damages are more personal and relate to the emotional and physical toll of the attack. These are just as real as financial losses and may include:
Pain and suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack and your recovery process.
Scarring and disfigurement: Dog bites often leave permanent scars, especially on the face, arms, and legs. This can have a lasting psychological impact.
Emotional trauma: Many victims develop a fear of dogs, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an attack.
We strive to understand every way the dog bite has affected your life, making sure your claim reflects the total harm you have experienced.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Altoona, Pennsylvania
At Goldstein Heslop Steele Clapper Oswalt & Smith, we are deeply committed attorneys who always put your best interests first. We are proud of our firm’s history of client service, which dates back over 100 years, and we take our responsibilities and your trust in us seriously. That is why we dedicate our full attention to preparing and pursuing your case.
Our firm will handle your personal injury claim so you can focus on your health and healing. With an office in Altoona, Pennsylvania, we serve communities across Blair County, including Tyrone, Frankstown, Hollidaysburg, Williamsburg, Gallitzin, Cresson, Claysburg, Huntingdon, and Bellwood. Call today to discuss your dog bite case.