Dog Bites in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no 'one free bite' rule when it comes to medical bills — a dog owner pays those costs whether or not the dog ever showed aggression before.
What you should know
Under the Pennsylvania Dog Law (3 P.S. § 459-502), a dog owner is strictly liable for the medical costs of a bite or attack. To recover additional damages like pain and suffering or lost wages, the victim generally must prove the owner was negligent — for example, by knowing the dog was dangerous or violating leash requirements.
What typically causes them
- Unrestrained or off-leash dogs
- Dogs with known aggressive tendencies
- Inadequate fencing
- Owner negligence around children
- Provocation disputes
- Failure to warn
Injuries we see
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infections
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Facial injuries and scarring
- Emotional trauma
- Injuries to children
Steps to take after a dog bites
- 1
Get medical care and clean the wound
- 2
Report the bite to local authorities
- 3
Identify the dog and owner
- 4
Photograph injuries and the location
- 5
Get witness information
- 6
Consult an attorney about medical-cost and negligence claims
Medical costs are strictly recoverable; non-economic damages require proving negligence. Comparative negligence (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102) can reduce or bar non-medical recovery if the victim provoked the dog.
All reasonable medical costs are recoverable under the Dog Law; pain and suffering, scarring, and lost wages require a negligence showing.
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline usually bars your claim entirely, so it is critical to act well before it runs.
Keep reading before you talk to an adjuster
Don't let a Pennsylvania dog bites ruin your future.
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