Dog Bite Lawyers in Luzerne County

Holding Irresponsible Dog Owners Accountable throughout Eastern Pennsylvania

There are about 4.7 million dog attacks each year in the United States. Approximately 800,000 of those require medical attention, and 60 percent of dog attack victims are children. Dog owners should be held responsible for the injuries caused by their animals. The Luzerne County dog bite attorneys at Slusser Law Firm have extensive experience in this practice area, and we can effectively fight on your behalf.

Dog bites cause serious injuries. Call (570) 405-9953 to get the legal advice you need.

Dog Bite Law in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a few laws that apply to dog bites, including the dangerous dog law and leash law. According to the dangerous dog law, if a dog owner knows the dog is prone to biting, the owner may be held civilly and criminally responsible when the dog bites another person. A landlord can also be held responsible if the landlord knows that a tenant owns a dangerous dog.

According to Pennsylvania’s leash law, owners have a responsibility to:

• Ensure that their dog is under control at all times 
• Keep the dog leashed while off their own property
• Make sure the dog is contained on their property, such as in a fenced yard

When dog owners are not acting responsibly, they may be held liable for the damage caused by the dog. This may include compensation for medical bills, medications, rehabilitation or physical therapy, mental and physical suffering, and other damages.

If you were injured by a dog, an experienced attorney can assess your situation and help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Our founder, Attorney Christopher Slusser, has eight years of experience training German Shepherds in:

• Therapy
• Agility
• Protection

With this experience under his belt, Attorney Slusser understands dog behavior and can use this to inform his investigative tactics and his legal representation in your case.

Severe vs. Non-Severe Dog Bite Injuries

Pennsylvania law classifies dog bites into two categories: severe and non-severe.

• Severe bites are those which result in broken bones or severe lacerations that require stitches or surgery. Victims of severe bites may pursue compensation from the dog owner for medical expenses and other damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
• Non-severe bites are defined as injuries that required minimal medical expenses to be treated. Non-severely injured victims may still file a claim against a dog owner but may only recover compensation for medical expenses.

In all cases, victims of dog bites must be able to prove that they were injured without provocation in order for a dog owner to be held liable. Likewise, dog owners may not be held liable if a person was trespassing at the time of the bite.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Pennsylvania

Like most other personal injury matters, dog bite claims in are subject to a strict filing deadline known as a "statute of limitations" which limits the amount of time an injured person has to take legal action. The statute of limitations period for dog bite lawsuits in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the injury. If you file a claim after this period expires, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case and you will be permanently barred from seeking compensation.

Since investigating a dog bite case alone can potentially take weeks or even months to complete, it is important retain strong legal representation early after a dog attack to maximize your chances of having a successful claim. A knowledgeable Luzerne County dog bite attorney can thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and keep your case on track and in compliance with all applicable deadlines.