Dog bites are a very serious problem in America. Each year in the United States there are over 4.5 million dog bites. In 2015 alone, more than 28,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
Because dogs owned by neighbors, family and friends cause most dog bites in the Bethlehem area, many dog bite victims are reluctant to sue. But dog bites cause serious damages and loss, ranging from expensive medical treatment, loss of wages, missed work or school, pain and suffering, and even death. In fact, over 360 Americans were killed by dogs over the past decade.
The most deaths by far were caused by Pit Bulls. Rottweilers and Pit bulls caused 76% of recorded deaths.
The Bethlehem personal injury lawyers at Drake Hileman & Davis can provide valuable assistance to you if you have been injured by any domesticated animal, including a dog. We will fight to make sure you receive just compensation for your losses.
Due to our many successes with animal and dog bite cases in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley area, Drake Hileman & Davis attorneys can successfully try or settle your injury claim and obtain the recovery you deserve. Call our Bethlehem office today at (610) 882-9456 to discuss your claim. We offer a a free, in home consultation.
Winning Your Dog Bite Case
Dog and animal bite cases are often difficult to prove and win. Insurance companies are reluctant to pay damages to victims of dog bite cases who are not represented by competent legal counsel. That is why you need to call a caring and capable Bethlehem dog bite attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis to handle your case.
A Bethlehem dog bite attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis establishes your right to money damages in a dog bite case by getting over the hurdles that stop other lawyers. There are two ways we do this:
- We establish the dog’s “dangerous propensity” by proving that the dog attacked others in the past, has a bad disposition, or is classified as an “attack breed.”
- Even in the absence of establishing a dog’s “dangerous propensity,” we can prove your right to recover damages by showing that the dog violated local “leash laws.”
Attack Breeds
Certain breeds of dog, such as Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, and Husky, have often been bred as attack dogs which are potentially vicious by nature. Accordingly, the owner of such a dog must exercise a greater degree of control over the dog, and may be liable for the first bite.
Our team of aggressive attorneys has won many dog bite cases, including:
- A dog attack in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, which resulted in a $36,000 settlement;
- A dog bite in Easton that resulted in $37,469 jury verdict; and
- A dog mauling in Allentown that settled for $70,000.
Negotiating Settlements with Insurance Companies In Pennsylvania
Most dog owners have insurance that covers claims arising out of attacks of dogs or other animals. We have the skills and knowledge needed to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company to cover your losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Not all losses are covered by insurance, however. That means our attorneys need to go the extra mile to obtain a recovery for all your losses, including trauma and emotional distress related to an attack by an animal. Dog bite injuries can include such “non-economic” losses as emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, nightmares, panic attacks, serious bodily injury, scarring, permanent disfigurement, and paralysis.
Damages in Animal and Dog Bite Claims
Drake, Hileman & Davis attorneys have experience representing clients who have been injured by all sorts of animals. We’ve handled claims involving injuries caused by domesticated animals (dogs, cats, and rabbits) and wild animals (including bats) allowed to live on a homeowner’s property.
Drake, Hileman & Davis will aggressively pursue ALL of the compensation you deserve for the losses you have suffered from a dog bite, including economic damages which can be measured in terms of money (such as medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other major life changes).
Bethlehem Dog Bite Attorney
If you live in the Bethlehem area and have suffered injuries as a result of a dog or other animal bite, don’t wait. You have limited time to file a claim. Call (610) 882-9456 to contact Drake, Hileman & Davis in Bethlehem today to get our dog bite lawyers working hard to win a cash recovery for YOU.