Who Shoulders Liability for an Animal Bite?
Animal bites are on
the rise, with dog bites being one of the most typical forms in the US.
Depending on the bite's severity, it can result in severe injuries and may
require immediate medical attention.
For example, animal
bites may result in punctured skin, crushed bones, cuts & lacerations,
bacterial infections, and lost fingers and limbs.
Treating these
injuries can result in substantial medical bills, permanent disabilities, and
time away from work. If you've suffered an animal bite recently and you're
wondering if anybody can be held liable, the answer is a resounding yes!
To get the ball
rolling, it'll be best to hire a top animal bite lawyer Lancaster, PA.
Read on as this
post delivers an overview of what party is responsible for an animal bite.
Let's dive in!
Holding an Animal Owner Liable for the Bite
Animal bites don't
only include the bite itself but every other thing that happens during these
attacks.
For example, an
animal can charge fiercely at you and cause you to flee.
If you escaped
getting bitten but got injured as you ran from the scene, you can file a claim.
Why?
The animal ranks as
the proximate injury cause.
Generally, there
are 3 ways an animal owner can be held responsible for any injury caused by
their animals.
They are:
#1 Strict Liability
The "strict
liability" statute imposes strict responsibility on animal owners for
injuries inflicted on you.
Under this statute,
the animal owner is responsible for the animal attack regardless of whether
they knew the animal was dangerous or curated certain measures to prevent the
attack from happening.
NOTE: Pennsylvania adopts the "strict liability" statute.
#2 The "One-Bite" Rule
In the past, many
states adopted the "one-bite" rule. With this statute in play, the
animal owner shouldering liability could only occur if they'd known that the
animal was dangerous and had attacked or bitten an individual previously.
However, most
states, including Pennsylvania, moved away from it and no longer require a
previous attack to hold the owner liable.
Instead of the
one-bite rule, most states hold the owner liable if they know the animal is
dangerous.
Some indicators
that an animal may pose a danger to others include:
● Growling
● Hurling
and jumping at humans and pets
●
Vet records depicting the animal's excitable or
aggressive nature, etcetera.
#3 Negligence
An animal owner
could also be held liable if they acted recklessly or didn't handle the animal
with appropriate care.
Since laws
governing animal bites and attacks vary, it's vital to speak to an animal bite Lancaster, PA, lawyer, to know the
exact law that applies to your case.
Other Parties That Could Shoulder Liability
for Animal Bites
We've examined the
liability of animal owners in their animal attacks, but other people can also
be held liable for the attack. Depending on the situation of the attack, animal
keepers or handlers can also be held liable.
People ask if
property owners can be held liable too.
However, the fact
is landlords or property owners aren't responsible for animals their tenants
keep unless they know the animal is dangerous and allow it to roam the
premises.
Get the Right Attorney for Your Animal Bite
Case
Animal bite cases
may appear straightforward but can be complicated. Therefore, getting legal
assistance can significantly help your case.
A Lancaster, PA, animal bite lawyer from a
revered law like Georgelis Law will litigate your lawsuit vehemently and get a
fair compensation.
To speak with one
of our top animal bite lawyers, book a free consultation with us today!
FAQs
Who Is the Best Animal Bite Lawyer in
Lancaster, PA?
The best animal
bite lawyers in Lancaster are from the offices of Georgelis Law.
With our attorneys
in your corner, you get to enjoy:
●
Rock-solid legal representation
●
Maximum compensation values
●
Streamlined payments
● Guidance
through legal complexities
Does Pennsylvania Adopt the One Bite Rule
to Determine Liability on Animal Bite Cases?
No. Pennsylvania
doesn't follow the one bite regulation to determine fault in animal bite cases.
Instead, it uses the strict liability statute that holds animal owners liable
for injuries caused by their animals regardless of if they knew they were
dangerous or not.
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