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$ 401,000.00 Northampton County PA
On Nov. 12, 2019, Judge Craig A. Dally of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas approved a Lehigh Valley pit bull attack settlement of $401,000.00 obtained by your attorney for dog bites in Northampton County. In the spring of 2016, an Easton PA woman took her son to a restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. They knew the waitress and offered to drop her off at her residence upon the conclusion of her shift.
When they arrived at the Whitehall Pennsylvania location, an offer was extended for the boy and his mother to come inside. There were several children playing and he was asked to join in. The tenants owned an adult pit bull that frequently jumped up and onto visitors. The boy’s mother asked that the pit bull be put away. Initially, the defendants complied by putting the dog in a crate in another room.
Unfortunately, someone let the pit bull out. The pit bull owners claimed that the dog wouldn’t bite as it was just “hyper” and it “likes to jump.” Almost immediately thereafter, the pit bull charged at the minor and bit off most of his left ear. The pit bull owner drove the mother and her son to Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg. An ambulance arrived in Whitehall soon after they left. The crew recovered the severed earlobe and drove it to the hospital in Bethlehem PA.
The Easton resident was promptly transferred by ambulance to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Surgeons tried to reattach the earlobe. Tragically, necrosis set in and the surgery failed. Approximately 2/3 of his ear was missing. The pit bull attack victim was hospitalized for 3 days as they tried to stabilize his medical situation.
Ultimately, the boy’s parents decided that it was critical that they consult with an experienced Northampton County dog attack injury lawyer. Attorney Thomas J. Newell met with the family at a Lehigh Valley outside cafe and laid out a detailed game plan to extract the highest amount possible from any and all insurance companies to fully compensate the Easton resident.
The lawyer for dog attacks in Northampton County aggressively negotiated with both the renters’ insurance company and that of the property owners. His detailed settlement demand letter, which included a thorough legal analysis, persuaded them to part with the maximum amount of insurance coverage – $401,000.00. The PA dog bite attorney presented the Northampton County judge with a 13 page Minor’s Compromise Petition to finalize the settlement.
$ 115,000.00 Northampton County PA
On May 31, 2017, your Northampton County dog attack lawyer obtained a Lehigh Valley dog bite settlement of $115,000.00 for a Nazareth PA young woman. On the night of the unprovoked dog attack, she was an invited guest at a friend’s Memorial Day Weekend party. Once she arrived, one of the guests invited to her pose for a picture with the family pet. Suddenly, and without any warning, the adult male dog jumped up and bit her in the face.
Inexplicably, the homeowners advised the young girl that the dog bite wounds “weren’t that bad” and did not require medical attention. After she awoke the next day, the dog bite victim forwarded a photograph of her face to her mother. She was immediately picked up by her parent and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital. The dog bite wounds were cleansed and x-rays were taken of her nasal bones.
Three days after this unprovoked Pennsylvania dog attack, the young lady was examined by an Allentown area plastic surgeon. Since the facial wound had already started the healing process, the physician felt that an immediate surgical procedure was not appropriate.
The following day, your Northampton County dog attack injury lawyer met with the dog bite victim and her mother in the comfort of their Nazareth PA home. Attorney Newell discussed with them his experiences with past dog attack clients of his that had sustained facial dog bite wounds. He advised her to follow the surgeon’s advice regarding avoiding exposure to sun while the facial lacerations were healing.
Thomas J. Newell, Esquire immediately began his investigation into the unprovoked PA dog attack. The dog owners did not have their dog up-to-date with its rabies vaccination, nor was it currently licensed. In addition, the defendants’ son admitted that the dog had previously bitten other girls. The attorney for dog bites in Northampton County PA aggressively brought these problems to the attention of the dog owners’ insurance carrier.
In the meantime, the young woman had several follow-up appointments with the Lehigh Valley plastic surgeon. He suggested that she begin a treatment therapy that would include steroid injections. A second opinion was obtained from a Philadelphia area specialist who was uncertain as to whether scar revision and excision surgery would improve the appearance of the facial scar. Ultimately, a decision was made to forego surgery/injections at this time.
The Northampton County dog bite accident attorney ordered and received all of his client’s medical records, medical bills and photographs taken shortly after the vicious dog attack. He then arranged a meeting with the defense adjuster, his client and himself. Current photographs of the facial scar were taken. The insurance carrier’s representative agreed with Attorney Thomas J. Newell that his client was well spoken and would make a good witness at trial. The lawyer for dog attacks in Northampton County Pennsylvania was able to obtain the $115,000.00 dog attack settlement shortly thereafter.
$ 102,000.00 Northampton County PA
On 10/9/19, your attorney for dog attacks in Northampton County, Pennsylvania received Court permission to conclude a pit bull mauling lawsuit settlement on behalf of 2 Hellertown PA residents. In the summer of 2017, a pit bull attack took place in Northampton County that put the life of a young woman in serious danger. A mother and her daughter left the safety of their home to try to rescue the hapless victim. As they got to their neighbor’s house, they saw a vicious dog attack unfolding right in front of their eyes.
The Good Samaritans did everything possible to save the young woman. During the course of the rescue, they were both bitten several times. Another neighbor and then husband/father also helped to finally subdue this vicious pit bull. The pit bull owners, as well as the rescue shelter that adopted out the dog, were both charged with violating the PA Dog Law. The citation was pursuant to Section 459-502-A: Harboring a Dangerous Dog.”
On October 14,2017, the pit bull owner, his wife, the PA Dog Warden, the initial victim and all of those who aided in her rescue attended a District Justice Hearing in Northampton County. Your Northampton County dog bite injury lawyer also appeared at this criminal proceeding to both prepare the witnesses and provide legal support to the Northampton County Dog Warden – Kathy Andrews. At the conclusion of the Hearing, the Defendants were found guilty of Harboring a Dangerous Dog and received hefty fines.
During his investigation, the Northampton County dog attack injury attorney obtained evidence proving prior vicious propensities on the part of the pit bull. Just 2 months earlier, it had attacked a young boy at a party held at the dog owners’ home. Medical treatment was required for the dog bite wound to his arm. Bizarrely, the pit bull owners permitted their vicious dog to continue to roam about the party without any restraint, supervision and/or muzzle.
Attorney Thomas J. Newell obtained medical records, medical bills and scar photographs of his clients. Inexplicably, the pit bull owners’ homeowners insurance carrier would not engage the Northampton County animal attack lawyer in settlement negotiations. He, therefore, instituted a lawsuit in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas via a sixteen-page Complaint against the pit bull owners.
Once the defense attorney responded to Attorney Newell’s legal work, the case changed course. He and the Northampton County dog attack attorney agreed on several key legal issues opening the way for fruitful settlement negotiations. Shortly thereafter, $102,000.00 was agreed to by the parties as a fair and complete settlement for both Northampton County dog attack claims. On October 9th, Court approval was obtained to finalize the daughter’s case. A restricted minor’s account was set up which restricts any access to the funds until she attains the age of 18.
$ 101,000.00 Northampton County, PA
On November 28, 2023, your Northampton County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer concluded a pit bull attack lawsuit via a mediated settlement of $101,000.00. Attorney Thomas J. Newell litigated this case on behalf of a woman who was bitten on her arm by an unleashed, unrestrained, and uncontrolled pit bull.
The Defendants’ violations of the PA Dog Law were instrumental in proving a case of negligence.
$ 71,107.48 Northampton County PA
On May 2, 2011, the Northampton County dog bite lawyer concluded an ABE dog attack settlement for $71,107.48. In May of 2010, a female employee of the U.S. Postal Service was delivering mail to a residence in Northampton Pennsylvania. The homeowners owned a boxer that pushed open the front screen door and attacked her. The mail carrier used her mailbag to beat off the boxer. Finally, one of the residents was able to get the vicious dog under control and put it inside the home.
Shockingly, another one of the defendants’ dogs got loose and pursued the Northampton County dog attack victim as she was trying to seek refuge in her mail truck. The Bethlehem PA resident was treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital for dog bite wounds to her legs the day of the dog attack, as well as three days later. Unfortunately, the dog bite lacerations to her right thigh became infected and she was admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital for three days.
Doctors performed surgery to remove some dead tissue and she was given antibiotics via IVs. Upon her release, the Northampton County dog bite victim had multiple visits with her orthopedic surgeon. The areas of the dog bite wounds were either supersensitive to the touch or were totally numb and without sensation.
The attorney for dog bite claims in Northampton County joined the dog bite victim’s husband and suggested that his client follow-up with a mental health specialist. She could not interact with any dogs, including their family pet – a Golden Doodle. Ultimately, the USPS employee was able to overcome her physical injuries, as well as her emotional issues in dealing with dogs. The injuries sustained in this Northampton County PA dog attack caused the Lehigh Valley resident to miss almost three months of work.
Once the postal employee returned to work and concluded her medical care, the Northampton County dog attack lawyer ordered and obtained the complete medical records file. Attorney Newell forwarded photographs and the medical documentation to the defense adjuster. His client was very happy that the Northampton County dog bite claim was settled without the necessity of testifying in court about her ordeal.
$40,000.00
Northampton County PA
In February of 1997, the Northampton County dog attack attorney negotiated a $40,000.00 Northampton County dog bite claim settlement. A young girl was walking with her family in Bethlehem Pennsylvania when a man passed them with his dogs. He was not able to control one of them and it jumped up and bit her in the face without any provocation.
The Northampton County dog bite victim was taken to Muhlenberg Hospital Center. Doctors applied stitches to close the dog attack facial wounds. The Northampton County dog bite injury attorney counseled the girl’s parents to have her facial scar evaluated by a board certified Lehigh Valley plastic surgeon. Fortunately, follow-up plastic surgery was not required.
Meanwhile, the defendant’s homeowners insurance company was refusing to make a fair settlement offer. The lawyer for dog bites in Northampton County PA hired a private investigator to research the background of this vicious dog to see if it had attacked others. The Northampton County dog bite attorney then filed a PA dog bite lawsuit with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton PA.
After depositions of the victim, the dog owner and witnesses were taken, the Northampton County dog bite lawyer was able to convince the dog owner’s insurance carrier to pay the $40,000.00 dog bite compensation payment. This settlement was approved by a Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge.
$ 39,000.00 Northampton County PA
In June of 2009, the Northampton County dog bite attorney concluded a $39,000.00 Northampton County dog attack settlement. In the spring of 2008, a Freemansburg PA resident had just finished walking her Siberian Husky. As they were approaching her front door, two unleashed dogs – a pit bull and a German Shepherd – came charging onto her property. These unsupervised dogs began to attack her Husky. As she tried to rescue her dog, the woman was bitten and hit her left hand on the sidewalk as she tried to break her fall.
Once her Siberian Husky was safely secured in her home, the Northampton County dog attack victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital. The ER doctor identified a broken bone in her left hand. He also thoroughly cleaned the dog bite wounds and administered a tetanus shot. When examined by an orthopedic specialist two weeks later, her symptoms were: altered sensation to the touch, reduced range of motion, decreased flexion and extension, along with a significant amount of swelling. When the Northampton County resident last saw her hand specialist, he noted that she still suffered from some residual nerve irritation and tenderness around the site of the fracture.
The lawyer for dog bites in Northampton County, as well as her husband, urged the dog attack victim to seek mental health counseling after this vicious dog mauling. Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder lasted for approximately six months and her mental health outlook significantly improved. Adding to her recovery was the fact that her husband built a fence for the entire backyard which prevented unleashed dogs from gaining access to their property.
In the meantime, the Northampton County dog bite injury attorney was doing everything possible to maximize the legal claim versus the negligent dog owner. Attorney Newell assisted PA Dog Warden Kathy Andrews in the prosecution of the man who allowed his dogs to run loose in the development. The Northampton County dog bite accident lawyer provided Ms. Andrews with PA court rulings for a hearing before the District Justice in Bethlehem Township Pennsylvania. The dog owner was found guilty of violating the PA Dog Law.
Likewise, his appeal to the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas was unsuccessful. The Northampton County dog bite accident attorney was able to use the convictions of Harboring a Dangerous Dog and Failure to Confine the dogs against the defendant. This maximized the Northampton County dog bite settlement payout. A successful dog attack compensation plan was agreed to. This negated the necessity of the lawyer for dog attacks in Northampton County having to file a PA dog bite lawsuit.
$ 36,000.00 Northampton County PA
On November 2, 2017, the lawyer for dog bites in Northampton County PA received approval from Judge Edward G. Smith to conclude a $36,000.00 Lehigh Valley dog attack settlement. A year earlier, a 12 year old girl was visiting her friend in Walnutport Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the homeowners had failed to inform the girl’s father that their family dog, a Chow, had a history of prior aggressive acts.
The vicious dog pursued and attacked the young girl, biting her face, hand and legs. Physicians at Palmerton Hospital needed around 20 stitches to close the facial dog bite wounds. Fortunately, the animal bite wounds healed without any sign of infection. Soon thereafter, the girl’s father contacted Attorney Newell’s office. The Northampton County dog attack injury attorney provided the family with a free home consultation in the comfort of their Duncannon PA residence. Legal issues regarding the PA Dog Law were discussed and plans were developed to have the PA dog bite victim examined by a plastic surgeon.
Eight months after the unprovoked dog attack, the young girl met with a facial wound care specialist. The physician was pleased with the progress of her recovery and it was determined that scar revision surgery was not necessary. Thomas J. Newell, Esq. ordered the girl’s medical records, bills and current photographs. The Northampton County dog bite accident lawyer sent the homeowners insurance carrier a detailed legal analysis which included a claim for punitive damages.
Attorney Newell argued that it was reckless for the owners of the Chow to not inform the girl’s parents of the vicious nature of the dog. At a minimum, the Chow should have been locked up in a dog cage. Once the insurance carrier agreed with his position, the $36,000.00 PA dog bite settlement was quickly agreed upon. The Northampton County PA dog bite injury attorney provided the Court with a 6 page Minor’s Compromise Petition, as well as numerous exhibits. The girl’s parents were happy that their attorney was able to settle the PA dog attack claim without having to file a lawsuit in Easton Pennsylvania.
$ 29,987.10 Northampton County PA
In the summer of 2020, your Northampton County dog attack law firm obtained a $29,987.10 dog bite settlement for an Easton (18040) resident. In August of 2018, the young man was jogging in Wayne County, Pennsylvania when an unleashed, unrestrained and unsupervised dog ran off its property and attacked the man on the street. The vicious Caucasian Mountain Shepherd had previously repeatedly escaped from its home and had pursued several neighbors.
The negligent dog owner had failed to put into place the appropriate steps to safeguard against any further escapes. He normally used “shock collars” to control his dogs but neglected to place it on the dangerous dog on the date of the unprovoked dog attack. The Honesdale (18431) resident was charged with violating the PA Dog Law, Section 305 – Failure to Confine. Unfortunately, the Wayne County Dog Warden mailed the subpoena to the wrong address and, therefore, the Easton PA resident never got notice of the hearing and the PA Dog Law charges were dropped.
In the meantime, the victim hired your Northampton County dog bite law firm. Attorney Thomas J. Newell order, paid for and reviewed all of the medical records and bills from Wayne County Memorial Hospital. Photographs depicting scars to the man’s left arm were obtained. Your lawyer for dog bites in Northampton County sent a detailed fifteen page analysis to the Defendant’s homeowners insurance adjuster. Attorney Newell threatened to file a Wayne County dog bite attack complaint with a Punitive Damage Count if the carrier did not enter into serious settlement discussions.
The Easton (18040) resident was happy that the Northampton County animal attack attorney was able to obtain nearly $30,000.00 without the victim having to testify in court.
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In the summer of 2016, your attorney for dog attacks in Northampton County PA settled a Lehigh Valley dog bite claim. Nearly two years earlier, a worker arrived at a Bath, Pennsylvania residence to perform some home remodeling work requested by the homeowners. He observed the defendants’ pit bull outside and immediately went inside to start his project.
Shockingly, the dog owners let their pit bull into their home without any restraint or supervision; they even failed to tell the worker. The pit bull attacked the man without any provocation. Fortunately, he only suffered two minor facial injuries which did not require surgery or stitches. Once the medical care had ended and the workers’ compensation lien documents were procured, the Northampton County dog bite injury lawyer was able to negotiate a fair settlement with the pit bull owners’ liability insurance company.
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On May 17, 2014, the attorney for dog attacks in Northampton County PA settled a Northampton County dog bite case. In September of 2013, a United States Postal Service employee was delivering mail in Nazareth PA. As he was walking up the sidewalk to deliver mail to a residence, the homeowner came outside with her two dogs on a leash.
Instead of waiting for the mail carrier to complete the delivery before coming near him with her dogs, the impatient dog owner passed right by him and her aggressive dogs lunged out and bit his right leg. The Nazareth PA dog bite victim was treated at both Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
The Northampton County Dog Warden, Kathy Andrews, investigated this unprovoked dog bite attack. The PA Dog Warden discovered that the rabies vaccination last administered to the vicious dogs had expired a year before the Northampton County dog attack took place.
The lawyer for dog attacks in Northampton County PA informed the defense adjuster that his client would be able to seek punitive damages versus the dog owner as a result of her failure to comply with Section 455.8 of the Pennsylvania Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act. Attorney Newell forwarded current photographs, medical records and billing statements to the defense adjuster. The Northampton County dog attack injury lawyer was able to obtain the settlement without having to file a Northampton County dog bite lawsuit.
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In March of 2013, the Northampton County dog bite lawyer settled a Northampton County dog attack claim. A 42 year old woman was jogging through her Bethlehem Township Pennsylvania development with her son riding next to her on his bicycle. A mixed breed dog came running out onto the street unleashed and unrestrained. The dog owner was nowhere in sight and the Northampton County dog attack victim had to fend off the vicious dog by herself.
The Northampton County resident was treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital. The PA dog bite victim was given a tetanus shot, antibiotics and the dog bite wounds to her buttocks were cleaned. The Northampton County dog bite accident attorney was hired six days after this unprovoked dog attack. Attorney Thomas J. Newell obtained the medical records from Lehigh Valley Hospital, as well as the billing statements and photographs of the dog attack wounds.
In a settlement demand package to the dog owner’s insurance company, the Northampton County dog attack lawyer made the legal argument that punitive damages could be claimed by the Northampton County dog bite victim. The dog owner had not properly inoculated his mixed breed dog with the rabies vaccination. Therefore, he was in violation of the Pennsylvania Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.
The Northampton County dog attack attorney was able to successfully settle the Pa dog bite claim without having to file a Northampton County dog attack lawsuit versus his client’s negligent neighbor. The Northampton County dog bite victim was also relieved to not have to testify at a deposition and/or trial regarding this terrifying dog attack.
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In the winter of 2011, the attorney for dog bites in Northampton County settled a Northampton County dog attack case. A woman was walking in Bethlehem Pennsylvania when she saw a man and his boxer. After asking permission to pet the dog, she knelt down next to it and began to scratch and pet the boxer. When she was ready to leave, she bent over to give the dog a kiss and it bit her in the face.
The Northampton County dog attack victim was treated at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was given a local anesthesia and the emergency room doctor used several stitches to close the dog bite wound over her upper lip. Another facial dog attack laceration was cleaned and closed with the use of Steri-strips. She was required to use anti-infection prescription medication. The Lehigh Valley resident followed up with her family doctor. Fortunately, no infection developed.
The Northampton County dog bite accident lawyer engaged in very difficult settlement negotiations with the dog owner’s homeowners insurance company. They took the position that the dog bite victim’s own negligence caused the dog attack because she “invaded the dog’s space” by getting too close. The defense argued that it was a poor decision to get so close to the face of a strange dog. Ultimately, the Northampton County dog attack injury attorney persuaded the defense adjuster to make a Northampton County dog bite compensation payout.
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What characteristics would be important when evaluating Northampton County dog attack lawyers?
- Your Northampton County dog bite claim deserves to be handled by an experienced personal injury litigator. The Northampton County dog bite injury lawyer has been handling PA personal injury claims since 1981.
- Any Pennsylvania attorney can claim they represent personal injury victims. Your Northampton County dog attack lawyer has represented Pennsylvania dog bite injury claimants in 38 different PA Counties.
- When a client hires a law firm, they have no control over who actually litigates their PA dog attack claim. Your Northampton County dog attack attorney is a solo practitioner – all of his dog bite clients receive the benefit of his 34 years of legal experience.
- Call the Northampton County dog bite attorney today to set up your free home consultation anywhere in the Lehigh Valley
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.