Dog Bite Lawyers in Pennsylvania

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Animal attacks are serious matters and can result in physical and emotional scarring, trauma, disfigurement, and other catastrophic injuries that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Dog bites are the most common types of animal attacks. If you or a loved one was attacked, you may be entitled to compensation.

A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer at Metzger Wickersham may be able to help you. With a larger-than-average support staff, our team can devote tremendous amounts of personal attention to you and your specific case circumstances.

Contact Metzger Wickersham to learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries

Dogs bite about 4.7 million people annually, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 885,000 people, or almost one in five of those who are attacked, need medical treatment. Additionally, tens of thousands of people need reconstructive surgery as a result of their injuries.

Common dog bite injuries include:

• Lacerations
• Puncture wounds
• Facial and body scarring
• Nerve damage
• Infections from scrapes and lacerations

With so much at stake, dog bite injury victims need someone to stand up for their legal rights. Call Metzger Wickersham today at (888) 286-2850 to schedule a free consultation.

Was Your Child Attacked by a Dog?

Children are especially at risk when it comes to dog attacks, with the rate of dog bite injuries being highest in the five-to-nine-year-old age group. The CDC reports that children are more likely to receive medical attention for dog bite injuries than adults.

Even if a child is taught basic safety tips when interacting with dogs, sometimes accidents are unavoidable because dogs may be unpredictable, poorly trained, or have a tendency for aggressive behavior. If a dog bite incident does occur, a trusted lawyer from our firm can stand up for your child and hold the negligent dog owner accountable.

The "One-Bite" Rule

A common question that people have when considering litigation for a dog bite is, "How many times does a dog have to bite before I have any recourse?" The answer is just one. While other states may let the dog owner get off with just a warning, in Pennsylvania, the dog just has to bite once. What you do have to prove, on the other hand, is that the dog owner knew their dog posed a threat and did nothing to stop any potential attacks. Evidence for this can come in the form of the dog's breed, any common safety measures that were skipped, the dog signaling aggression before the attack and/or a history of aggression.

Call Us 24/7 to Set Up a Free Consultation

If a dog bit you, a friend, or a family member, turn to Metzger Wickersham. A dog bite attorney with our firm can help you obtain justice and peace of mind. Dog bite injuries can have a significant impact on a victim's life. At Metzger Wickersham, an experienced attorney can fight for your rights. We proudly serve clients from convenient office locations across the state of Pennsylvania.

What to Do if You've been Bitten by a Dog

It's important for you and your children to be familiar with safety tips to avoid a dog attack. If you or a child have been attacked, there are some steps you can take to cover all your bases and protect your legal rights. With the help of our skilled Harrisburg dog bite lawyers, you can be sure that your case is receiving the attention it deserves and that you are fairly represented.

Here's what to do if you've been bitten by a dog:

• Get medical help: Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Identify involved parties: It's important to identify the dog that bit you. You should also identify the dog's owner and any witnesses that may have seen the incident.
• Report the attack: Inform your local animal control center and/or police department of the attack. Write down the date you filed the report and record the names of people you talked to.
• Photograph evidence: Photograph any visible injuries you sustained. You should take pictures of your injuries directly after the incident and throughout all stages of the healing and recovery process. If possible, it is also a good idea to take pictures of the accident location and of the dog that bit you (but only if this does not put you in danger of the attacking dog).

At Metzger Wickersham, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding each individual dog bite case in order to pursue justice and fair compensation for our clients. We know dog bite accidents can be extremely traumatizing for injured victims. Our attorneys are prepared to handle all aspects of your case so you don't have to relive the nightmare of your dog attack.

You don't deserve to have to go through a legal nightmare as well. Let us handle your case! Begin a free case evaluation with Metzger Wickersham by calling (888) 286-2850 today.