Wilkes-Barre Dog Bite Lawyers

Yes. Under the Dog Law, owners are strictly liable for medical expenses resulting from any dog bite, regardless of the dog's history. If the injury is classified as "severe" under PA law, or if owner negligence contributed to the bite (for example, violating the leash ordinance in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton), you can recover additional damages for pain, suffering, and more, even without a prior history of aggression.

The law generally still allows recovery for dog bite injuries that occur on the owner's property. Your legal status on the property (e.g., invited guest, licensee, or even a trespasser in some limited circumstances, especially for children) may influence the specifics of the claim and available compensation. We can clarify your rights based on the details, whether the bite happened in the city or in a rural township.

The timeline for resolving a dog bite case varies based on factors like case complexity, injury severity, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles through negotiation or proceeds to trial. Many straightforward claims settle within 6–18 months. More complex cases, particularly those involving severe injuries or disputed liability, may take longer — including a trial in the Luzerne or Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Filing a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your dog bite does not automatically lead to the dog being euthanized. Decisions regarding a dog's future after a bite are typically made by local animal control authorities or courts, based on factors like the dog's history, the severity of the attack, and whether the dog is deemed "dangerous" under Pennsylvania law. This is separate from your civil claim for damages.

Yes, potentially. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar). This means you can still recover damages even if you were found to be partially at fault for provoking the dog or contributing to the incident, as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found partially at fault, your compensation award will be reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. Discuss the specifics with your lawyer.

Two years from the date of the bite under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 — and when the victim is a child, the clock generally does not start running until their 18th birthday under § 5533(b). Waiting is still costly: animal control and police records become harder to obtain, the dog's licensing and vaccination history can go missing, and witnesses move away. We open the claim with the owner's insurer early, while the evidence is fresh, and keep the filing deadline protected in the background.

Almost never. Dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance — that is what the liability portion of those policies exists for — and typical policies carry $100,000 to $300,000 in coverage, sometimes with an umbrella policy above that. Pursuing compensation does not mean forcing a neighbor into hardship; in most cases their insurer pays your medical bills, lost wages and other damages. We handle the claim professionally so a fair recovery does not have to cost a relationship.

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee: the consultation is free, we advance the costs of building the case, and we are paid a percentage only if we recover compensation for you. Pennsylvania requires every contingency fee agreement to be in writing (Pa. R.P.C. 1.5(c)), so you see the exact terms before you sign anything. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Call (877) 888-4777 — we answer 24/7.