When you have been attacked by a dog you can be confused as to what your options are and what you need to do next. You may think that all will be fine, after all, you have health insurance and your injuries were not severe. You and the dog owner are good friends and you think that a lawsuit may tarnish that friendship. The reality is that the dog owner is responsible for the actions of their pet and should therefore be held liable for any injuries sustained as a result. If you have been attacked by a dog you will need a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.
Dog bites can be personal injury cases
Dog bites fall under the personal injury umbrella and often have the same laws as other types of cases. While similar in that sense, they can also be complex since there is an animal involved. Once you have a personal injury lawyer on your side, they will work to obtain any and all evidence related to the dog bite, send you for medical evaluations and negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company.
We will also work to get you the compensation you need for your injuries. There are several elements involved in dog bite cases and while they fall under personal injury they can also have elements of premise liability and others to consider.
You need to recover damages
A dog bite can lead to substantial injury and as a result, there will be an insurmountable amount of medical bills to follow. While some people do have savings and medical insurance that will cover most if not all of their bills, many Americans do not. Medical bills can quickly add up to thousands of dollars and can include the following:
- Emergency room visit
- Blood tests
- X-rays and other imaginings
- Transportation to the hospital by ambulance
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices
- Outpatient physician services
- Prescription medication
- In hospital physician services
You did not cause the dog attack and therefore should not be held liable for all of these medical expenses. You will need to discuss your case with a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to determine your options.
You have legal rights
When another party caused you harm that results in damages, you have the legal right to file a claim. Often, residents believe that because it was a dog attack there is no possible way to obtain compensation. While the dog cannot pay you for your damages, its owner and the owners’ insurance policies can. Your legal options can vary depending on the facts of your case and how the incident occurred which is why it is important to consult with a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer immediately.
Hire a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer
In a dog bite case, it is not always as simple as you may think. It can often be more complex than the dog bit you and now the owner has to pay. As the victim, you will need to prove that the incident occurred on public property or if you were on private property you were authorized to be there. You may be an authorized visitor if you are a contractor or even a mail carrier. You have a legal right to be on the property and should be kept safe from harm. You can also be an invited guest of the owner.
Circumstances change when you are not authorized to be on private property and a dog attack occurs. There may be other situations where the dog owner may not be held liable if a dog attacks another person. This is why it is important to seek legal assistance immediately after a dog attack. Contact Kwartler Manus LLC at (267) 457-5570 for a consultation with our Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.