Dauphin County Dog Bite Lawyer

No. Pennsylvania rejected the common-law one-bite rule. Under the Dog Law (3 P.S. § 459-502) the owner is strictly liable for medical costs no matter the dog's prior history. For pain and suffering, you must show negligence (e.g., leash-law violation), 'severe injury' as defined by statute, or that the dog was previously declared dangerous. Most serious bites qualify.

Adults have two years from the date of the bite (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). For minors, the clock is tolled until age 18, giving them until age 20 to file.

Almost always the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's policy, which typically carries $100,000 to $500,000 in personal-liability coverage. If the dog owner rents, the renter's policy applies. Landlords can be liable in some cases.

Sometimes — if the landlord knew of the dog's dangerous propensities, had control over the bite location (common areas), or ignored a lease violation involving the dog.

Heightened protections apply. Workers' comp covers wage loss and medical care, and we also pursue a third-party claim against the owner's homeowner's policy for pain, suffering, and scarring damages workers' comp does not pay.

Suit is ordinarily filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in Harrisburg, where venue is proper under Pa. R.C.P. 1006 if the crash or incident happened in Dauphin County or a defendant regularly conducts business there. Cases valued below the arbitration threshold are first heard by a board of arbitrators before any appeal to a judge and jury. Sean Quinlan litigates in county courts across Pennsylvania from the firm's Camp Hill office.

The heaviest crash volume in Dauphin County tracks I-81, I-83, and US-22/322, along with the local arterials feeding Harrisburg. Corridor matters: a high-speed limited-access crash, an intersection collision on a signalized arterial, and a rural two-lane roadway each generate different evidence — different reporting agencies, different camera availability, and different roadway-design questions. We investigate a Dauphin County case around where it actually happened.

The first two weeks decide most cases. In a Dauphin County matter, we obtain the animal control and dog-warden records that establish severity and prior history, which drive liability under Pennsylvania's Dog Law, 3 P.S. § 459-502. We also handle the insurer's contact so you are not giving a recorded statement while you are still being treated.

Most Pennsylvania injury claims carry a two-year limitations period under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, and that deadline is the same in Dauphin County as anywhere in the Commonwealth. Shorter deadlines apply when a government entity is involved: written notice within six months under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522 for claims against a Dauphin County municipality, borough, or PennDOT. Call before you assume you still have time.

No, unless your share of the fault exceeds that of everyone you are suing. Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102: you can recover as long as you are not more than 50% responsible, and your award is reduced by your percentage. A Dauphin County jury decides those percentages, and insurers routinely assign more fault than the evidence supports as an opening position.

No. We handle intake by phone and video for Dauphin County clients and travel to you when meeting in person matters. The consultation is free, the case is handled on a contingency fee, and there is no fee unless we recover money for you. Call (717) 724-7503.