Attorney Stoehr and Dog Bites

Recently, Pit Bulls have been receiving a lot of negative attention due to the perceived danger of the breed.  Whether you agree or disagree with this danger, the truth of the matter is that any type of dog breed can be harmful under the wrong circumstances. 

If you or a loved one have been attacked or bitten by a dog, you as a victim have rights. Many people do not know their rights and therefore fail to go after the compensation they deserve.  Dog bite laws can be confusing and may vary from state to state. Here is what you need to know about dog bite laws in Pennsylvania:

1.) Legal liability must be proven in order to receive compensation from an attack.  This means that a victim must prove that the dog owner was being negligent in order for the owner to be held responsible for the attack.
2.) Landlords may be held liable for injuries by a dog their tenant owns/takes care of if he/she is aware that the dog is a danger and fails to take action to remove the pet from the premise.
3.) If a dog is deemed "dangerous" different laws and penalties may apply. A dangerous dog is one that has a previous record of attack or has attacked without provocation or both. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for victims of dog bites and other types of animal attacks. For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

The High Price of Dog Attacks

An article by Forbes magazine recently broke down the average costs of dog attacks for dog owners. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim was a little over $26,000, with payouts rising and increasing over 35% since 2003. The magazine attributes this rise in payout amounts to the increase in medical costs and larger jury and judge verdicts. If your dog bites another person, you could be tried under both negligence and dog-bite statutes, depending on where you live. If you dog is a previous offender, you may also have trouble getting home insurance. If you rent your house or apartment, also look into renter’s insurance, since you will be responsible for the dog attack claim, even if you do not own the property.

To avoid dog bite claims, it is best to choose a breed of dog that is not traditionally aggressive. Active socialization to people and other animals, obedience training, and keeping dogs restrained, whether in a fenced-in yard or by using a leash, are all effective ways of avoiding a potentially expensive dog bite claim. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite and would like to consult with Attorney Stoehr at the Law Offices of Attorney Doug Stoehr, please contact our law office.