Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack can change your life in a matter of seconds. One moment you’re walking down the street, playing in a park, or visiting a neighbor’s home—the next, you’re dealing with serious wounds, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma that doesn’t go away when the stitches come out. If you or someone in your family has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Philadelphia, you have legal rights, and Pagano Law is here to help you exercise them.
Our firm has deep roots in Philadelphia. We understand the communities here, the court system, and the specific Pennsylvania statutes that govern dog bite liability. We know that behind every case is a real person dealing with real pain—and we treat our clients that way. No runaround, no corporate law firm impersonality. Just straightforward legal representation from attorneys who actually care about your outcome.
How Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law Actually Works
Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws are a bit more nuanced than most people realize. The state doesn’t follow a simple “one bite rule” or a blanket strict liability framework. Instead, there are two separate legal avenues for recovering compensation after a dog attack, and the path you take depends on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the bite.
Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law (3 P.S. § 459-502), dog owners are strictly liable for all medical expenses when their dog bites or attacks someone. This means you don’t have to prove the owner was negligent or even knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you, the owner pays your medical bills. Period.
But here’s where it gets more complicated. If you want to recover damages beyond medical costs—things like lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring—you’ll generally need to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent. That typically means showing the owner violated Pennsylvania’s dog confinement requirements under 3 P.S. § 459-305, which requires dogs to be confined to the owner’s property or kept under reasonable control at all times.
If the dog has been declared “dangerous” under Pennsylvania’s Dangerous Dog statute, the owner faces even stricter requirements, including registration, special enclosures, muzzling in public, and mandatory liability insurance. Failure to meet any of these requirements strengthens a victim’s case considerably.
The landmark case Miller v. Hurst (1982) effectively abolished the old “one free bite” rule in Pennsylvania. The court held that an unexcused violation of the Dog Law constitutes negligence per se. In practical terms, if an owner let their dog run loose and it attacked you, that’s negligence—regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before.
Common Dog Bite Injuries We Handle
Dog attacks are not minor incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and about one in five of those bites requires medical attention. The injuries our clients have suffered include:
Deep puncture wounds and lacerations. A dog’s teeth can penetrate deep into tissue, damaging muscles, tendons, and nerves. These wounds often require surgical repair and leave permanent scarring.
Facial and head injuries. Children are especially vulnerable to bites to the face and head. These injuries can require reconstructive surgery and cause lasting disfigurement that affects a person’s confidence and quality of life for years.
Broken bones and fractures. Large dogs can knock victims to the ground during an attack, leading to broken wrists, arms, hips, and other bones—particularly in elderly victims.
Infections. Dog bites carry a significant risk of bacterial infection, including pasteurella, MRSA, and in rare cases, rabies. These infections can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Nerve damage. Bites to the hands, arms, and legs can sever or damage nerves, leading to numbness, chronic pain, or loss of function.
Post-traumatic stress and anxiety. The psychological impact of a dog attack is often just as debilitating as the physical injuries. Many victims develop PTSD, anxiety around animals, nightmares, and a lasting fear that impacts their daily routines. These emotional injuries are compensable under Pennsylvania law.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries—or others—as a result of a dog attack in Philadelphia, don’t wait to get legal advice. Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations applies to dog bite cases, and evidence becomes harder to preserve the longer you wait.
Don’t let the dog owner’s insurance company lowball you. Call Pagano Law today at 215-636-0160 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Testimonials
“Mr Greg Pagano and Sarah Jones have been representing my sons and several family members for some years and did a outstanding job winning there cases On July 29. 2021 Greg got my son gun charge dismissed .Mr Pagano and his team are passionate about what they do and made sure our needs were meet and kept us informed every step of the way.“
“Mr. Pagano and his associates are wonderful lawyers! The been working with my family for some time now, they are committed to winning cases. Mr. Pagano and his associates are loving, caring lawyers they treat their clients with respect and like family. They made sure all unanswered question are answer; they make sure everything is explain to great details. They recently won my son’s case!!!!“
“Greg Pagano and his team are a group of intellectual and educated forces. Not only did he and his team win a Double Murder Case for my family he also won a case of illegal search and seizure of my son’s car that was pulled over by the Philadelphia Police illegally.“
“Greg, and his assistant Sarah provided my son with excellent legal representation. You can use any lawyer but its clear Greg is head and shoulders above his peers. His reputation in the courthouse and his professionalism carries a lot of weight in his dealings with the DA’S. He used his skill to get the best outcome possible for our family and for that I am grateful. Do not hesitate to use Mr. Pagano. It will be a wise investment and money well spent.”
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite in Philadelphia?
The damages available in a Philadelphia dog bite case depend on the specifics of your situation, but victims are generally entitled to both economic and non-economic compensation:
Medical expenses — emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatment related to the attack. Remember, under Pennsylvania’s strict liability rule, the dog owner is automatically responsible for these costs.
Lost income — if your injuries kept you from working, you can recover wages lost during your recovery period, as well as diminished earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
Pain and suffering — this covers the physical pain of your injuries as well as the emotional toll, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Scarring and disfigurement — dog bites frequently leave visible scars. Pennsylvania courts recognize the significant impact that permanent scarring has on a victim’s life, particularly when the scars are on the face or other visible areas.
Property damage — if the attack damaged your clothing, phone, glasses, or other personal belongings, those costs are recoverable too.
Most dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Insurance companies, however, are not on your side. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they will look for any reason to reduce or deny your claim. Having a Philadelphia dog bite attorney on your side levels the playing field.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Attack in Philadelphia?
The dog’s owner is the most obvious defendant in a bite case, but they’re not always the only one. Depending on the circumstances, other parties may share liability:
Landlords — if a landlord knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to take action, they could be held liable. This is particularly relevant in Philadelphia’s many rental properties and apartment buildings.
Property owners — if you were attacked on someone else’s property, the property owner may bear responsibility for failing to maintain safe premises.
Dog walkers and caretakers — anyone who had temporary custody of the dog at the time of the attack may be liable if they failed to maintain proper control.
Parents of minor dog owners — if the dog belongs to a child, the parents are generally responsible.
Pagano Law also handles cases where victims have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others in different contexts. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident or motorcycle accident, our attorneys can help with those claims as well. We also represent clients facing civil rights violations, including cases involving excessive force by police—because holding powerful parties accountable is what we do.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Philadelphia
The steps you take immediately after a dog attack can make or break your legal case. Here’s what we advise our clients:
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if the wound looks minor, see a doctor. Dog bites can cause infections that aren’t apparent right away, and medical records are critical evidence in your case.
- Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Ask whether the dog is up to date on rabies vaccinations. If there were witnesses, get their contact information too.
- Report the bite. File a report with Philadelphia Animal Care and Control (ACCT Philly) and the Philadelphia Police Department. Under Pennsylvania law, any dog that bites a human must be confined and isolated for a minimum of ten days.
- Document everything. Take photos of your injuries immediately and during the healing process. Save all medical bills, receipts, and records. Keep a journal documenting your pain levels, emotional state, and any activities you can no longer do because of your injuries.
- Don’t talk to the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly and seem sympathetic, but their job is to get you to accept the lowest possible settlement. Don’t give a recorded statement or sign anything without talking to an attorney first.
- Call a Philadelphia dog bite lawyer. The sooner you get legal representation, the better positioned you’ll be to preserve evidence, meet deadlines, and pursue the full value of your claim.
Ready to discuss your case? Call Pagano Law today at 215-636-0160 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why Philadelphia Dog Bite Victims Choose Pagano Law
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a dog attack, the last thing you need is a law firm that treats you like a case number. At Pagano Law, we take a hands-on approach to every case. Here’s what sets us apart:
We know Philadelphia. This is our city. We know the neighborhoods, the courts, and the judges. That local knowledge matters when it comes to building a strong case and anticipating how the other side will approach your claim.
We handle the full picture. Dog bite cases sometimes intersect with other legal issues. Maybe the attack happened because of a property owner’s negligence, or maybe you’re also dealing with a criminal matter like a preliminary hearing related to the incident. Perhaps you’re on probation and worried about how a civil case might affect your status—our probation violation attorneys can advise on that too. We look at the whole situation, not just one piece of it.
We don’t back down from insurance companies. Insurance carriers know which law firms will push back and which ones will cave. We have a reputation for fighting hard for our clients, and that reputation alone often leads to better settlement offers.
We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. That’s not a gimmick—it’s our commitment to making quality legal representation accessible to everyone.
Dog Bites and Children: A Serious Concern in Philadelphia
Children are the most common victims of serious dog attacks. Their small stature means bites often land on the face, head, and neck—areas that are especially vulnerable to permanent scarring and disfigurement. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, children between the ages of 5 and 9 are at the highest risk for dog bite injuries.
Pennsylvania courts recognize that young children cannot be expected to understand the risks of interacting with unfamiliar dogs. As a result, the defense of “provocation” is rarely successful when the victim is a child. If your child has been bitten by a dog in Philadelphia, you have every right to pursue compensation for their medical treatment, pain, emotional trauma, and any long-term effects on their development and well-being.
How a Philadelphia Dog Bite Claim Works
Understanding the legal process can reduce a lot of the stress and uncertainty that comes with filing a claim. Here’s a general overview of how a dog bite case typically unfolds:
Investigation and evidence gathering. Your attorney will collect medical records, animal control reports, witness statements, photographs, and any other evidence that supports your claim. If the dog has a history of aggression, we’ll work to obtain those records as well.
Filing an insurance claim. Most dog bite cases are resolved through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Your attorney will file a claim on your behalf and handle all communications with the insurance adjuster.
Negotiation. Insurance companies almost always start with a lowball offer. Your attorney will counter with a demand that reflects the true value of your injuries and losses. This back-and-forth negotiation is where having an experienced attorney makes the biggest difference.
Litigation if necessary. If the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court. While most dog bite cases settle out of court, the willingness and ability to go to trial gives you significant leverage during negotiations.
Keep in mind that Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites. If you don’t file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the attack, you’ll almost certainly lose your right to seek compensation. Don’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims in Philadelphia
Do I have a case if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s strict liability rule means the dog owner is responsible for your medical expenses regardless of whether the dog has a prior history of aggression. For additional damages like pain and suffering and lost wages, the key question is whether the owner was negligent—for example, by failing to properly confine or control the dog. The old “one bite rule” was effectively eliminated by Pennsylvania courts decades ago.
What if I was partially at fault for the dog bite?
Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence standard. If you were partially responsible for the incident—say, you were trespassing or provoking the dog—your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you won’t be able to recover anything. Simple actions like walking past a yard, reaching out to pet an unfamiliar dog, or being near the dog are generally not considered provocation.
Can I sue if a dog bites my child at someone else’s house?
Absolutely. The location of the bite doesn’t change the owner’s liability. Whether your child was bitten at a neighbor’s house, in a park, or on a sidewalk, the dog owner is legally responsible. Additionally, courts are very reluctant to blame children for provoking a dog, especially younger children who don’t fully understand animal behavior.
How much is my dog bite case worth?
Every case is different. The value depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, how much your medical treatment costs, whether you missed work, the extent of any scarring, and the emotional impact of the attack. Dog bite settlements in Pennsylvania can range from several thousand dollars to well into six figures for severe attacks. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to speak with a Philadelphia dog bite attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your case.
Will the dog be put down after the attack?
Not necessarily. Under Pennsylvania law, a dog that bites a human must be confined and isolated for at least ten days to monitor for rabies. Whether the dog is ultimately euthanized depends on the severity of the attack, whether the dog is declared “dangerous” by a Magisterial District Judge, and whether the owner complies with all legal requirements going forward. A civil claim for damages is separate from any determination about the dog’s fate.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
You have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies whether you’re pursuing a claim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or any other damages. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation entirely, so it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an attack.
What if the dog owner doesn’t have homeowner’s insurance?
This situation makes the case more challenging but not impossible. If the owner lacks insurance, you may be able to pursue a claim directly against them. In some cases, other parties—like a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog—may have insurance that covers the claim. An experienced dog bite attorney can identify all potential sources of recovery.
What if I was bitten by a stray dog or a dog whose owner I can’t identify?
If you can’t identify the dog’s owner, it becomes much harder to pursue a civil claim. However, you should still report the incident to Philadelphia Animal Care and Control and seek medical treatment immediately. In some cases, investigation may reveal the owner. If the attack occurred on commercial property, the property owner may bear some responsibility for allowing a dangerous animal on the premises.
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite claim, or can I handle it myself?
You’re not legally required to hire a lawyer, but it’s strongly recommended. Insurance companies are experienced at minimizing payouts, and they know when a claimant doesn’t have legal representation. Studies consistently show that personal injury victims who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation than those who represent themselves. At Pagano Law, our consultations are free, so there’s no risk in finding out what your case is worth.
Can I file a claim if my own dog bit me?
Generally, no. Pennsylvania dog bite laws are designed to hold dog owners liable to others. If your own dog bites you, you typically can’t file a claim against yourself. However, if someone else was caring for your dog at the time—such as a dog walker, groomer, or boarding facility—and their negligence caused the bite, you may have a claim against that party.
Contact a Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a dog attack in Philadelphia, time is not on your side. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and the two-year statute of limitations is always running. The team at Pagano Law is ready to review your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Whether your injuries are minor or life-changing, we want to hear from you.
Call 215-636-0160 today or visit Pagano Law online to schedule your free case evaluation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start working on getting you the justice and compensation you deserve.