Having a Bethlehem dog bite lawyer on your side is essential when a dog attack leaves you injured, shaken, and unsure of what to do next. While dogs are often loved companions, a serious bite can cause painful injuries, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. Additionally, victims are frequently left facing growing medical bills and time away from work.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has represented injury victims across Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley, including those harmed in serious dog attacks. Our experienced dog bite attorneys understand Pennsylvania’s liability laws and know how to hold negligent dog owners and insurers accountable. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing injury victims and have secured substantial settlements and verdicts in a wide range of cases.
If you were bitten by a dog in Bethlehem, PA, it’s essential that you understand your legal rights and the steps you can take to protect your claim. Your first actions after a serious dog bite can affect the outcome of your case, so we’re here to help you each step of the way. Contact our premises liability lawyer today for a free consultation.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Bethlehem?
According to insurance company statistics, Pennsylvania was the fifth-highest state in the nation for dog bite attacks, with 1,004 claims filed in 2024, a 17% increase from the previous year. The total amount recovered from those dog attacks was approximately $89 million.
These numbers show the real toll of dog bites and attacks, underscoring the importance of having a skilled attorney by your side.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Should I Do if I’m Bitten By a Dog in Bethlehem, PA?
Despite the shock you are likely to experience from a Bethlehem dog attack, there are important steps you can take right from the beginning that can help ensure you recover compensation.
Identify the Animal
There is no way you can recover damages for dog attacks without knowing who is ultimately responsible for the dangerous dog. In some cases, the dog may be known to you in your Bethlehem neighborhood. But if the attack takes place in an unfamiliar place in Bethlehem or with an unfamiliar dog, then you will have to take steps to identify the animal and its owner.
If the attack takes place at a Bethlehem residence not your own, then you can write down identifying details of the location, including the address and the names of any Bethlehem residents on the mailbox. If you can do so safely, then you could try and speak to the property owner or anyone who seems to be handling the dog.
You could also try to take a picture of the dog with a cell phone after you escape to safety. There may also be witnesses to the dog attack whom you could speak with; they may know the dog or its owner and help you identify them.
Seek Medical Care
It’s important to see a Bethlehem doctor as soon as possible after a dog attack. A dog bite might not seem like a severe injury, but it may be worse than it appears and require urgent medical care to prevent further injury. In addition, seeking medical treatment in a Lehigh Valley hospital will help you document your injuries in the event that you later file an injury claim for your medical bills.
File a Report with Animal Control
After you suffer a dog bite attack, it is also a good idea to file a report with the Bethlehem Animal Control Officer, giving them as many details as you can about the dog attack, including the type of dog, location, and any information you have about the dog’s owner.
If you are unable to identify the dog or its owner, the Animal Control Officer may be able to help by investigating the dog attack. They can determine the dog’s identity and whether or not its vaccinations and rabies injections are up to date.
It is also a good idea to report the incident at your local police station, especially if your skin was broken in the attack or the dog’s owner was rude or aggressive to you. Reporting to these authorities allows them to take action and track dangerous dogs in the area. It will also lay the foundation for your case.
Speak to a Bethlehem Dog Bite Lawyer
After a dog bite, it can be very helpful right from the outset to talk to an experienced Bethlehem dog bite lawyer.
Legal representation in the event of a dog bite in Bethlehem, PA, can make a huge difference to the amount of compensation you receive. A dog bite lawyer handles more than paperwork; they investigate the incident, gather evidence, deal directly with insurance companies, and fight for your full compensation. They can also:
- Determine liability and identify the responsible parties.
- Compile your medical records, lost wages, and pain and suffering evidence.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers to secure the best possible payout.
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if necessary.
- Defend you against claims like “provocation” or “trespassing.”
How Liability for a Dog Bite Works in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is not a “one-bite” state, and it is not a pure strict-liability state either — it uses a two-part rule, and which part applies depends on the damages you’re seeking.
- Medical costs — Strict liability. Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law (3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq.), a dog owner is responsible for the victim’s medical and veterinary expenses regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or whether the owner did anything “wrong.” A violation of the law’s confinement requirement is treated as negligence in itself, so you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous to recover these costs.
- Full damages — Proof of fault or dangerousness. To recover beyond medical bills for pain and suffering, lost wages, scarring, and other losses, you generally must show either that the owner was negligent (for example, failing to leash or contain the dog) or that the dog had known dangerous tendencies or had previously been declared a “dangerous dog” under Pennsylvania’s Dangerous Dog statute.
In short, medical bills are recoverable from the owner in almost every bite case, while larger compensation depends on the specific facts. A Bethlehem dog-bite lawyer can review what happened and identify which damages are available in your situation.
What Kind of Injuries Can Result from a Dog Bite Attack?
A dog’s jaw can be a potent weapon that a vicious dog can use in a variety of ways to inflict injuries on a target. In addition, large or aggressive dogs such as a pitbull can jump on a Bethlehem dog bite victim, or otherwise pummel them with their massive weight. As a result, dog attacks can cause lacerations and puncture wounds from the teeth of the dog, which can sometimes be so severe that they lead to permanent scarring.
Dog bite victims can also suffer from broken bones and crushing injuries from the force and weight of the animal. In serious dog bite cases, a Bethlehem dog bite victim can suffer severe injuries such as eye injuries, hearing or vision loss, nerve damage, internal bleeding, and even limb amputation. In these cases, medical bills can be substantial and life-changing, making it paramount that a Bethlehem dog bite victim receives fair compensation from the negligent dog owner in order to pay them.
What Kind of Damages Can Result from a Dog Bite Claim?
Medical expenses from a dog bite attack can be substantial. In addition to bills for medical treatment, medical expenses can include fees for ambulance, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing nursing assistance, and long-term care.
In addition, expenses for which dog bite victims may be entitled to include other economic damages, such as lost wages during the time spent in rehabilitation, and reduced earning capacity due to long-term effects of the injury.
A Lehigh Valley dog bite victim may also be entitled to receive damages for more intangible (non-economic) injuries, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and permanent scarring and disfigurement due to the dog bite attack.
The total amount of financial recovery from dog bite claims can be quite high, with average awards of $88,668 in 2024. However, the compensation for complicated or severe cases can far exceed this average, reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions in the event of a level 5 or 6 dog attack.
What is the Process for a Bethlehem Dog Bite Claim?
When a dog bite occurs, a Bethlehem dog attack attorney will assess the incident in order to determine what compensation a victim might be entitled to receive. For example, a PA dog bite lawyer may investigate how the attack occurred and any negligence on the part of dog owners. They might also determine whether the dog was officially registered as a dangerous dog, which requires a property owner to take additional precautions in containing the animal to prevent an attack.
Once a Bethlehem dog bite attorney determines these facts, they will then attempt to negotiate with the dog owner or–more likely–their pet insurance company or homeowner’s insurance company, in order to obtain compensation for medical expenses and other charges associated with the dog bite injuries. If that negotiation is unsuccessful, or if the final offer for settlement is not high enough to cover medical expenses and emotional injuries, then the Bethlehem dog bite lawyer may take legal action by filing a suit in court before a Pennsylvania judge or jury.
A dog bite victim generally has two years from the date of the dog bite to file a dog bite claim for damages, under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. This makes it essential to start the process of investigating the claim early while seeking medical care and taking the appropriate legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites and Liability in Bethlehem, PA
What Should I Do Immediately After a Dog Bite?
After sustaining a dog bite attack, you should seek medical treatment, document the incident, gather evidence and witness information, and report the incident to animal control and your local police station.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations allows two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was on Private Property?
Yes. Owners and property holders can be liable under premises liability and dog bite statutes.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Dog Bite Claim?
A dog bite victim may be able to claim medical expenses, lost wages and future income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.
Does Pennsylvania Follow Strict Liability for Dog Bites?
Partly. Pennsylvania applies strict liability to a dog owner for the victim’s medical and veterinary costs — you don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous to recover those expenses. For additional compensation such as pain and suffering or lost wages, you generally must show the owner was negligent or that the dog had known dangerous tendencies. Pennsylvania is not a “one-bite” state, but the dog’s history can still affect how much you recover.
Is a Free Consultation at Munley Law Really Free?
Yes, Munley Law offers free, no-obligation case evaluations and collects fees only if we help you recover compensation.
Contact Munley Law Today
For nearly 70 years, the lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have represented injury victims, including dog bite victims, throughout Lehigh County and the entire state of Pennsylvania. We understand how complicated these cases can sometimes be and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your case. Our dog bite lawyers have consistently been named among the Best Lawyers in America, selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and are board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. And we get results – our lawyers have achieved numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
You can count on our team, with decades of experience and a history of representing injured clients, to devote focused attention and resources to your claim.
You can reach someone from our staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter how complicated or difficult your case may be, we will review the facts and explain what legal options are available to you. Consultations are free, and we charge no fees until we win your case. Chat live, email, or call us today.
J. Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is an award-winning plaintiffs’ lawyer who has dedicated his career to fighting for accident victims and their families. As a board-certified civil trial advocate, Chris was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation by Best Lawyers, and has been listed on Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2013.
