Bitten by a Dog?

Contact PA Dog Attack Lawyer

Super Lawyers 2022
  • PERKASIE, PA
    1282 Route 113
    P.O. Box 178
    Bucks County
    Perkasie, Pennsylvania 18944
    610-462-8853
  • BETHLEHEM, PA
    Northampton County
    Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
    610-866-0469
  • STROUDSBURG, PA
    Monroe County
    Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360
    570-421-0893
  • ALLENTOWN, PA
    Lehigh County
    Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
    610-432-4160
  • EASTON, PA
    Northampton County
    Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
    610-258-6470
  • LANSDALE, PA
    Montgomery County
    Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
    215-368-5545
  • LEHIGHTON, PA
    Carbon County
    Lehighton, Pennsylvania 18235
    610-377-2134
  • QUAKERTOWN, PA
    Bucks County
    Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951
    215-538-5350

Speak with ME today!

610-462-8853

or e-mail me:
AttorneyNewell@PADogAttackLawyer.com
PA DOG WARDENS
PENNSYLVANIA DOG ATTACK
CASES ONLY

What Powers Do PA Dog Wardens Have?

Posted on: February 4th, 2022  padog

A Pennsylvania Dog Warden has many powers including:

  1. Request the name and address of anyone who the PA Dog Warden suspects has violated the PA Dog Law;
  2. Investigate all potential PA Dog Law violations;
  3. Cite and prosecute any Pennsylvania dog owner who the PA Dog Warden believes has violated the PA Dog Law, including:
    a. Section 305 – Failure to Confine
    b. Section 502-A – Harboring a Dangerous Dog
  4. Request a District Justice to subpoena all eyewitnesses to testify on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerning a PA Dog Law Citation;
  5. Request all documents regarding licensing and proof of rabies vaccination from any dog owner within the Dog Warden’s County;
  6. Cite and prosecute any PA dog owner who fails to provide proof of rabies vaccination as required in the PA Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act a/k/a “The Rabies Act.”
  7. Seize and detain any dog that is running loose and not under the control of a competent person as required by the PA Dog Law.

The PA dog attack attorney has worked with many PA Dog Wardens throughout Pennsylvania to help obtain convictions for cases involving his dog bite victims. Call Attorney Thomas J. Newell today @ 800-980-4842 for a free home consultation.

 

 

What Does a PA Dog Warden Do?

Posted on: January 29th, 2022  padog

The duties of a PA Dog Warden include:

  1. Enforcing, issuing citations and prosecuting PA Dog Law violations in District Justice Courts;
  2. Enforcing, issuing citations and prosecuting the “PA Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act” violations in District Justice Courts;
  3. Investigating PA dog attacks and enforcing the 10-day quarantine for attacking dogs;
  4. Seizing and detaining all dogs running at large and not under the control of their owners in violation of Section 302 – Failure to Confine;
  5. Maintaining a registry of dogs found to be dangerous under Section 502-A of the PA Dog Law in their County, as well as performing an annual inspection of all “dangerous dogs” within their PA County;
  6. Enforcing kennel licensing and regulations set forth in the PA Dog Law by at least 2 inspections each year of every licensed kennel in their Pennsylvania County; and,
  7. Provide educational services about dog ownership.

Attacked by a dog in PA? You deserve the opportunity to be represented by a PA dog attack lawyer who fights for dog bite victims 365 days a year!

Can I Sue for my Medical Bills After a PA Dog Attack?

Posted on: January 15th, 2022  padog

Under the PA Dog law, Pennsylvania dog bite victims have the ability to sue negligent dog owners for the full amount of their medical bills. Many homeowners insurance companies will only agree to pay the amount of your out-of-pocket expenses. Do not agree to that!

The attorney for dog attacks in PA has successfully won court cases granting his clients medical bill recoveries for the total amount of the bills. Judge John M. Morganelli of Northampton County, Judge William T. Tully of Dauphin County and Judge Andrea Marceca Strong of York County all have ruled in favor of Attorney Thomas J. Newell‘s PA dog bite victims.

Searching for a PA dog bite law firm? Put Attorney Newell‘s 41 years of personal injury litigation experience to work for you. He has had the honor of representing Pennsylvania dog attack victims in 34 different PA Counties. Call him today @ 800-980-4842. Free home consultations are provided for all clients no matter where they live in Pennsylvania.

How the PA Dog Bite Attorney Obtained a $101,000.00 Insurance Policy Limit Settlement

Posted on: December 27th, 2021  padog

In December of 2021, a York County Orphans’ Court Judge approved a $101,000.00 settlement for a York County dog attack case. Attorney Thomas J. Newell‘s methodical process worked to perfection. This maximum insurance policy payout was obtained without even having to file a York County dog bite lawsuit!

The PA Dog attack lawyer obtained information sufficient to prove that the Defendants’ German Shepherd mix had initiated not one but 2 prior unprovoked attacks. This evidence was pivotal in making the dog owner’s homeowners insurance company very worried about a potential Punitive Damage Claim. Attorney Newell has successfully fought off defendants’ attempts to have Punitive Damage Counts thrown out by Trial Judges in Dauphin County, Chester County, Northampton County, Monroe County, York County and Carbon County.

Your Pennsylvania dog bite attorney used his past settlements of $100,000.00 or more in 40 other cases to serve as a strong basis to argue that the Defendants were required to pay their maximum liability limit of $100,000.00. The little girl’s mother was grateful that neither she nor her daughter had to testify in court.

How Do You Settle a Dog Bite Claim For a Minor in Pennsylvania?

Posted on: December 10th, 2021  padog

Pursuant to PA Law, Court approval is required whenever there is a settlement of a minor’s personal injury claim. These are the necessary steps to successfully conclude a minor’s dog attack case:

  1. The attorney for the dog bite victim and the insurance representative for the dog owner reach a tentative settlement.
  2. Specific language for the legal Release(s) must be agreed upon.
  3. If the proposed settlement is $50,000.00 or more, it is most likely in the child’s best interests to select a Structured Settlement Annuity from an A+ rated financial institution.
  4. All appropriate documentation must be signed and timely presented in order to obtain the tax-free benefits of the Structured Settlement Annuity.
  5. A Minor’s Compromise Settlement Petition must be filed with the Court of Common Pleas, Orphans’ Court Division which has jurisdiction over the attack and/or the Minor Petitioner.
  6. Court approval must be obtained.
  7. Some Counties require a Hearing with parental involvement; others do not.
  8. The SSA must be funded.
  9. An Affidavit of Annuity Funding must be filed with the Court proving that the SSA has been funded and all necessary Releases, paperwork, etc. have been exchanged/completed.

The settlement of a minor’s case is complicated. Attorney Thomas J. Newell has efficiently handled dozens upon dozens of these claims.  Call him today at 800-980-4842 for a free home consultation regarding your child’s dog attack claim.

How Much Can I Sue for After a PA Dog Attack?

Posted on: October 23rd, 2021  padog

While the money amount of the case is very important, the following steps need to be taken first before sensible discussions of a dog bite claim’s value can be had:

  1. Obtain medical care at a hospital immediately.
  2. Call the police or the PA Dog Warden for your County.
  3. Photograph the injuries (do not rely on photos taken at the hospital or by your doctor.
  4. Call Attorney Newell @ 800-980-4842.
  5. Do not give any statements to the dog owners or their insurance company.
  6. Keep a close lookout for any signs of infection.
  7. Go to a hospital immediately if you believe the dog attack wound may be infected.
  8. Keep all of your medical appointments.
  9. Appear at any hearings that are scheduled if the dog owners have been charged with crimes.
  10. Call Attorney Thomas J. Newell when all of your care is done.

What To Do If You Are Attacked By a Pit Bull in PA?

Posted on: September 11th, 2021  padog

What should you do if you are attacked by a pit bull in Pennsylvania?  Follow these guidelines:

  • Get to a hospital as quickly as possible.
  • If you/your child has suffered serious pit bull attack wounds, try to go to a hospital with a certified Trauma Unit.
  • For those who live in the Lehigh Valley, the nearest medical treatment facility with a Trauma Unit is Lehigh Valley Hospital which is located at 1200 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA.
  • Pit bulls normally cause severe lacerations that penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue.
  • Pit bull attack wounds are very susceptible to becoming infected. Take your prescribed medication to is completion.
  • Attorney Thomas J. Newell has represented dog bite victims in 34 different PA Counties with many of his clients having been attacked by pit bulls.
  • Your PA dog bite lawyer aggressively pursues every possible legal option versus negligent pit bull owners.
  • Frequently, Thomas J. Newell, Esquire sues them with one or more additional claims for Punitive Damages.
  • Call the Pennsylvania pit bull attack attorney now at 800-980-4842.
  • Report the pit bull attack to the PA Dog Warden assigned to your County.

How Do I File a PA Dog Bite Claim?

Posted on: September 4th, 2021  padog

In order to have your Pennsylvania dog attack case ready for the filing of a PA lawsuit, 4 key components must be completed:

Medical Documents

Your PA dog bite attorney must order, pay for and acquire a complete copy of all of your medical records and bills.  If you are claiming an aggravation of a pre-existing condition, the acquisition of your family doctor’s medical records from the 5 previous years is a necessity.

Photographs

If your dog attack wounds left permanent scars, your PA dog attack lawyer will need photos from the date of the attack, as well as current ones. Normally, a professional photographer is hired to take photos of permanent facial scars.

Evidence Accumulation

Your PA dog bite law firm must obtain a copy of Police Reports, PA Dog Warden Reports, witness statements and District Justice docket entries.

PA Dog Law & “The Rabies Act”

Filing a proper PA dog bite lawsuit is a complex endeavor. Your lawyer for dog attacks in Pennsylvania must have the necessary legal expertise to properly plead the cited violations of the PA Dog Law and The Pennsylvania Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.

Is your PA dog bite case worth hiring a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer with 40 years of experience? Speak with Attorney Thomas J. Newell today @ 800-980-4842.

How Much Is My PA Dog Attack Case Worth?

Posted on: August 15th, 2021  padog

There are 4 key components when discussing the value of a PA dog bite claim:

  1.   Legal responsibility of the dog owner
  2.   Insurance coverage
  3.   Objective indisputable injuries
  4.   Quality of your PA Dog Bite Attorney

Evidence of being bitten by a dog isn’t enough to bring a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania. Your PA dog attack lawyer must prove that the dog owner was negligent and/or violated the PA Dog Law.  PA is not a strict liability state.

The next key issue is identifying insurance coverage for the negligent dog owner. PA does not require a homeowner, renter and/or a dog owner to have liability insurance coverage. Attorney Thomas J. Newell‘s 40 years of experience has resulted in his conclusion that at least 90-95% of the negligent renters he comes across are uninsured. Filing a PA dog attack lawsuit vs. a renter who is not insured is not a sound economic decision.

Assuming there is an applicable insurance policy, the defense adjuster awaits proof that the dog bite victim incurred objective injuries that are not in dispute. Did the dog attack wounds require stitches, staples, surgery, injections and/or a hospital admission? Did the victim need to receive painful rabies injections?

The final component to discuss is the experience and expertise of your PA dog bite lawyer. An insurance adjuster closely evaluates your attorney based upon these criteria:

  1. How many years of personal injury litigation experience?
  2. Does your attorney focus his/her practice in representing PA dog attack victims – like Attorney Newell?
  3. Do they settle every case no matter what the offer or, like Attorney Thomas J. Newell, have they tried to verdict over 100 cases?
  4. What is their track record of obtaining payouts of $100,000.00 or more for their dog bite clients? Your Pennsylvania dog attack attorney has nearly 50 such settlements.

Mauled in a PA dog attack case? Call the PA dog attack lawyer now @ 800-980 -4842. All of Attorney Thomas J. Newell‘s clients receive a free home consultation.

How Do I Report a PA Dog Attack?

Posted on: July 18th, 2021  padog

Pursuant to the PA Dog Law, there are 3 groups of people that have the authority to investigate and file charges after a Pennsylvania dog attack:

*Your local police/PA State Police

*The PA Dog Warden for your County

*Your local Animal Control Officer

A call to 911 will result in the police initiating an investigation of the unprovoked dog attack. It is the experience of your PA dog attack attorney that cases that are turned over to the County Dog Warden are the ones that are most aggressively pursued and most frequently result in the filing of PA Dog Law charges and/or “Rabies Act” violations.

A key difference between a Dog Warden and a local Animal Control Officer is that only a PA Dog Warden can file “Harboring a Dangerous Dog” charges vs. a negligent dog owner. Your PA dog bite lawyer has had the honor of serving as legal counsel for dog attack victims in 34 separate Pennsylvania Counties. He frequently assists the PA Dog Wardens in prosecuting their cases at the Magisterial District Justice level versus law-breaking dog owners.

Attacked by the dog in Pennsylvania? Telephone Attorney Thomas J. Newell today at 800-980-4842. He provides free home consultations to all of his clients, no matter where they live in Pennsylvania. Put his 4 decades of expertise to work for you!

DISCLAIMER

The PA dog attack lawyer has aggressively represented PA dog bite victims in 38 Pennsylvania Counties. The content of this website is for informational purposes only and is NOT legal advice for your specific Pennsylvania dog attack claim. Settlements/verdicts in other PA dog bite claims were based upon the unique set of liability and damage facts of each case, as well as the law that existed at that time.

The PA Dog Law and the legal decisions regarding Pennsylvania dog bite lawsuits can change at any time. Attorney Newell strongly advises you to immediately consult with an experienced Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer to review the facts of your dog attack and the injuries you sustained. The PA dog attack attorney provides free home consultations to all PA dog bite victims whose cases he believes have legal and economic merit.