When people have a dog, they usually love him or her so much that they are considered a member of the family. Aside from having them as a companion in your life, there are many responsibilities that come with being a dog owner. This requires you to train them and make sure they are taught how to act safely. However, this job is not always completed by all dog owners and some dogs can be dangerous. If a dog does not receive proper behavior training, they can become hostile and harm someone.
If a person is the victim of a dog attack, it is important for them to receive medical attention. Not only does this address the matter, but it documents it. This can be helpful in the future if the victim wants to seek justice for the incident. This can be done by holding the dog owner liable for their neglect to train the dog properly.
Who is Responsible?
A pet owner can be held liable for negligence if their dog attacks another person. It is important to know that this is still the case even if they trained the dog to the best of their ability. Often times, an owner may not feel as if they are responsible if the injured party trespassed on their property or provoked the dog. While these cases can be tricky, the owner may still partially be liable for the attack. It is because of this that it is crucial to retain the services of an experienced attorney for help navigating the case.
What if the Dog Has a History of Aggressive Behavior?
It can be beneficial for the victim of a dog bite injury to look into the dog’s history while they begin to build their case. This is because if the dog has a history of violence and has attacked other people, it may be easier to prove that the owner is negligent. If a dog has previous violent behavior, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that it does not continue. Dog owners can also be held liable if the dog was not on their property, unrestrained, or out of their control.
Receiving Damages
Those injured due to negligence often find themselves with financial burdens due to their suffering. It is because of this that they may be eligible to receive financial compensation. This exists as coverage for any medical bills and other damages that arise due to the dog attack. Instead of the dog bite victim worrying about paying their own expenses, the negligent party will be responsible for covering the costs. It is important to know this compensation is contingent upon proving negligence during the lawsuit.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
