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$ 335,389.59 Cumberland County PA
On April 16, 2019, the Cumberland County dog attack attorney successfully settled a Cumberland County dog bite claim that resulted in a $335,389.59 payout for a Carlisle PA resident. On that date, President Judge Edward E. Guido signed an Order approving the Petition for Minor’s Compromise Settlement Under Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 2039. The legal pleading had been drafted and filed by your lawyer for dog bites in Cumberland County PA. The 10 page document detailed the facts regarding a brutal pit bull attack.
In the spring of 2015, the young child was dropped off at a family friend’s home in Mechanicsburg to be babysat by their daughter. The Defendants’ adult non-neutered pit bull mix was negligently permitted to be in the area of the young boy. There was no leash nor any adult control despite its history of prior vicious propensities. Suddenly, and without any warning, the adult pit bull mix mauled the young boy.
The Cumberland County PA Dog Warden investigated this unprovoked pit bull attack. The Defendants were charged with violating Section 502-A of the PA Dog Law – Harboring a Dangerous Dog. A hearing was held before a Cumberland County District Justice. Your attorney for dog bites in Cumberland County PA attended this hearing to provide his legal expertise to the Dog Warden, as well as to help prepare the witnesses who would testify for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Defendants were found guilty of harboring a dangerous dog. They appealed and ultimately plead guilty in Carlisle PA before a judge of the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas.
On the date of the attack, the young boy was rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital immediately after the pit bull mauling. Medical records reveal that he suffered from lacerations to his right ear, nose, above his left eye and left side of his upper lip. Two of his teeth were also missing. Due to the severity of his dog attack wounds, he was promptly transferred to the nearest trauma hospital – Penn State Hershey Medical Center. A CT Scan of his face identified a fractured cheekbone.
The Carlisle PA resident was placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon’s Operative Report noted 8 separate dog bite wounds. Dozens of stitches were used to close all of the lacerations. The child was admitted and kept overnight for observation. Follow-up medical care was rendered by the surgeon and an eye specialist. The boy would occasionally complain of pain in his left eye. From time to time, his parents would observe a green discharge flowing from the eye. Fortunately, it appears that he did not sustain any permanent injury to his eye.
As is often the case with pit bull attack victims, the young boy had to deal with significant mental health issues after the mauling. At the suggestion of the Cumberland County dog bite injury lawyer, the child received assistance from a local mental health specialist. His parents described frequent occurrences of their son having nightmares where “he wakes up screaming and grabbing at his face.” The child was so self-conscious of his scarred face that he objected to people taking pictures of him.
After all of the medical and mental health treatment had concluded, the Cumberland County dog attack injury attorney ordered, paid for and received the Carlisle resident’s medical records and bills. Attorney Newell also obtained post attack photos and current photographs depicting the permanent facial scarring. Those documents were placed in a settlement demand packet, along with a detailed 16 page legal analysis.
The pit bull owners’ homeowners insurance company was made aware of the potential large jury verdict that could be obtained if they did not negotiate with Attorney Thomas J. Newell in good faith. Ultimately, the parties came to an agreement which resulted in the plan to compensate the Carlisle pit bull attack victim in the amount of $335,389.59. The young boy’s parents were quite pleased that their decision to hire the best Cumberland County dog attack attorney resulted in the acquisition of such a large settlement for their son. Since his client was a minor, the Cumberland County dog bite accident lawyer was required to obtain approval from the Orphans’ Court Judge.
$276,000.00 Cumberland County PA
On June 21, 2017, the Cumberland County dog attack lawyer obtained court permission to conclude a $276,00.00 Cumberland County dog bite settlement. Attorney Newell had previously filed a 10 page Petition for Minor’s Compromise with the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas. This legal document described in detail the medical and legal ordeal that the Carlisle resident endured after being mauled by a pit bull.
In the summer of 2013, a nine-year old girl was playing at her friend’s home in Carlisle Pennsylvania. While at the dinner table, she reach down to pet her friend’s pit bull. Inexplicably, the dog attacked her causing significant facial dog bite wounds. She was immediately taken to Carlisle Hospital and was placed under general anesthesia in order to have facial surgery performed by a oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The Carlisle resident was admitted overnight and discharged the following day.
Soon thereafter, her parents called the Cumberland County dog bite attorney. A free home consultation was scheduled and Attorney Newell met with the victim and her parents within one week of this unprovoked pit bull attack. He explained the appropriate steps that would be required to ensure the best possible medical recovery, as well as the legal research that would be conducted regarding the defendants’ pit bull.
Nearly a year after the Pennsylvania dog attack, the young girl underwent scar revision surgery to attempt to diminish the visibility of the permanent facial scars. Instructions were given to her parents regarding skin care, sun protection and skin lesion surveillance. Seven months later, she met with the plastic surgeon who concluded that no further surgery was needed and, therefore, the Carlisle dog bite victim was released from his medical care.
The Cumberland County dog bite lawyer then began the process of acquiring all of his client’s medical records, medical bills, and current photographs. A detailed settlement demand package was then sent to the adjuster for the dog owners’ insurance carrier. Settlement negotiations were expedited and the parties negotiated a total payout of $276,000.00. Thomas J. Newell, Esq. then turned his attention to reducing the payments owed to his client’s health insurance companies to reimburse them for their expenditures on her behalf. Attorney Newell was able to reduce the subrogation liens by over $1,300.00.
The next step in concluding this PA personal injury settlement was the production of the necessary legal documents to procure a tax-free structured settlement annuity. The Cumberland County dog attack attorney obtained quotes from an “A+XV” rated Annuity Insurer which would guarantee the Carlisle resident tax-free payments through age 21 of $229,012.61.
An Evidentiary Hearing was held on June 21st before Judge Christylee L. Peck in Carlisle PA. The lawyer for dog attacks in Cumberland County Pennsylvania presented the testimony of the young girl’s father who provided the court with details of his daughter’s medical care. Attorney Thomas J. Newell outlined for the Judge the legal issues concerning the structured settlement annuity and the safeguards that were in place to guarantee the payments at ages 18, 19, 20 and 21. Her parents were also very happy that they did not have to file a dog attack complaint versus the parents of their daughter’s friend.
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.