Dog Bites

Over 4.7 million people in the United States are attacked by dogs every year. Close to 800,000 of these dog bite victims sustain injuries that are serious enough to warrant medical treatment. Many other dog bite incidents go unreported.

Here is a list of some dogs that have been known to cause serious injury to victims:

• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Pit Bulls
• Chows
• Presa Canarios

Not every dog that belongs to one of these breeds is dangerous, and there are other dogs that belong to other breeds that may suddenly attack or bite a person or another animal.

Physical injuries that can result from a dog attack, including the following:

• Head injuries
• Facial injuries
• Scarring
• Rabies
• Bites
• Fractures or crushed bones
• Puncture wounds
• Wrongful death

Common places where a dog attack or dog mauling might occur:

• At the park
• On the sidewalk
• Close to an open yard
• Inside the pet owner’s home

In addition to physical injuries, the trauma resulting from a vicious dog attack can haunt a victim for life. A person who is mauled by a dog may become afraid to walk outside or go near another dog again.

A dog owner or the person placed in charge of a dog has a responsibility to make sure that the pet is “under control” and will not inflict harm on anyone. A dog owner who knows that their dog is prone to attacking or biting people or other domestic animals is also responsible for exercising certain measures to make sure that the dog does not inflict harm on others.

There are civil remedies that you can claim by filing a personal injury lawsuit after a dog attack. These may include compensation for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• The type of injury sustained
• Medical costs
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Lost wages
• Lost income potential
• Lost quality of life

The dog owner and the person handling the dog at the time of the dog attack or dog mauling are among the parties who may be held liable.

It is important that you retain the services of an experienced dog accident lawyer who can assess the extent of your injuries and evaluate how much it will cost and how long it will take for you to recover. For example, a child who has been severely disfigured in a dog attack may have to wait several years until he or she is fully grown to undergo a specific kind of corrective surgery.

At John M. Kenney, P.C., we represent children and adults who have been seriously injured by dogs and other pets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule your free consultation with Attorney John M. Kenney, call (215) 547-3031 or contact us online.