York Dog Bite Lawyer | Schmidt Kramer

If you or someone you love was seriously injured or disfigured by a dog bite, hiring an experienced dog bite lawyer can be an important step in the recovery process. Dog bite victims that hire a lawyer to handle their claim recover more compensation compared to those that do not have legal representation.

We never expected the wonderful results we obtained. We felt more like family then a client.
_{– Client of Schmidt Kramer}

At Schmidt Kramer, our award winning attorneys have many years of experience handling injury cases and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients.

It’s free to talk to a lawyer at our firm to determine if you have a case and there are no upfront fees if you decide to hire us.

Schmidt Kramer. Ph: (717) 888-8888.

Compensation For Dog Bite Victims

When medical expenses begin to mount, injury victims may begin to think about filing a damages lawsuit – and the potential financial recovery that may be available.

It’s important to note that every dog bite case is different and it can be difficult to determine the potential value of a case without knowing the details for your specific incident.

However, we have handled many injury cases for clients throughout Pennsylvania and if you have legal questions about your potential lawsuit, we can help to provide the answers. We offer a free, initial consultation to talk to a lawyer at our firm and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.

Free Consultation. Ph: (717) 888-8888.

Liability for Dog Bites in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania follows strict liability rules when it comes to dog ownership. Dog owners are held liable for every single injury their dogs inflict on other individuals. It does not matter whether the dog was known to be dangerous or was appropriately restrained at the time of the attack. The dog owner could still be held responsible.

The only exceptions to the rule are if an individual trespasses on property and gets bitten as a result or if the individual intentionally provoked the dog.

What is a Dangerous Dog?

While our York dog bite attorneys can build a case with the theory of strict liability, we can also use Pennsylvania’s dangerous dog bite law to pursue compensation. According to Pennsylvania law, a dangerous dog is one that:

Killed or severely injured another domestic animal
Severely injured an individual with provocation
Attacked an individual without being provoked
Was used in the commission of a crime

The dog must also have either of the following:

History of attacking individuals or other animals without provocation
Inclination to attack individuals or other animals without provocation

What Are the Responsibilities for Dangerous Dog Owners?

If an owner’s dog has been labeled as dangerous, he or she has certain responsibilities, including:

Registering the dog as dangerous with the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Notifying the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, the State Dog Warden and the local police authorities within 24 hours if the dog has attacked an individual or another animal, gone missing, been sold or donated, or died
Maintaining a minimum liability insurance coverage of $50,000 to pay for any injuries the dog may inflict on an individual or another animal
Obtaining a fence or suitable enclosure for the dog
Labeling the property as housing a dangerous dog by displaying a warning sign
Restraining or muzzling the dog at all times when the owner is not home

If a dog has attacked you, get legal assistance from our dog bite injury attorneys in York who understand Pennsylvania law and will help fight for your rights to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call (717) 888-8888 now for our free consultation.

Time Limits on Filing a Dog Bite Claim

Pennsylvania law follows the statute of limitations, a specific time limit on the right to file a lawsuit to recover damages after suffering an injury such as a dog bite.

All personal injury cases, including dog bite cases, must be filed within two years from the date the injury occurred. After two years, you are unable to bring a lawsuit forward.

The attorneys at Schmidt Kramer understand the time limits that apply to your situation. We can help ensure your case is filed before the statute of limitations passes. However, it takes time to build a strong case so you should get in touch with us right away. That will give us the time we need to build a case.

Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today to have a York dog bite lawyer review your claim.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can be a scary experience that can happen relatively quickly without warning. While adults are sometimes the victims of dog bites, children are the most common victims of dog bites and more likely to be severely injured by them, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

After a dog bite, you may be unsure about what to do next. Some of the things you can do to protect your health and safety and preserve your claim include:

Seeking medical attention – Take care of yourself first and get medical treatment immediately for your injuries, even if you think they are minor. Let a doctor identify your injuries, their severity and give you the appropriate treatment to help ensure your recovery.
Contacting the authorities – Report the dog bite to the police and to your local animal control agency. Be clear and concise when talking to the authorities about the attack. This will help them get a clear understanding of what happened so they can describe things accurately when they write their reports. There are often conflicting stories after an attack, so the more clarity you can provide the better.
Talking to the dog owner – Obtain his or her contact information, including full name, address and phone number. Research whether the dog is up-to-date on all of his or her shots and try to determine if there is any possibility the dog may have rabies. Getting this information from the dog owner can be a critical piece of evidence during the investigation and help you build a strong case.
Talking to any witnesses – Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses present during the attack. Your York dog bite lawyer can contact any witnesses in the future to discuss what they saw and possibly use this information in your case.
Taking pictures – Photographic evidence can be invaluable evidence of a personal injury. Take pictures of all the injuries you suffered in the attack. You should also be sure to photograph the dog, the location where the dog was kept and anything else in the scene you think is important.
Taking detailed notes – Write down the time, date and place of the attack. You should also write down other important details, such as whether the dog was tied down or if there was a fence.
Contacting an attorney – After calling the police and seeking medical attention, contact a skilled York dog bite attorney who will review your case and discuss the legal options available to you.

If you or a loved one was injured because of a dog bite, our knowledgeable dog bite lawyers in York can help determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started on your claim.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dogs may bite for a number of reasons. Whether they are male or female, big or small, young or old, any dog can become agitated and aggressive, leading it to bite at any time.

A dog may bite if he or she is:

Defending territory, belongings or food
Feeling stressed, startled or scared
Feeling threatened

Playing around
Feeling sick or sore from an injury or illness

If a dog bites you, it can cause a variety of injuries. These injuries can be broken down into two distinct categories: severe and non-severe. The type of injury you suffer affects the types of compensation you can recover in a dog bite personal injury lawsuit.

Severe dog bite injuries include broken bones, lacerations, permanent facial scarring or disfigurement requiring surgery, soft tissue injuries and traumatic brain injuries. If your injuries are considered severe by a doctor, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner to recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages you have suffered.

Non-severe dog bite injuries include cuts and bruises, scratch marks, abrasions and bite or teeth marks. If your injuries are considered non-severe by a doctor, you may still be able to file a lawsuit against the dog owner, but you can only seek damages for medical expenses.

Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a York dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options and the kinds of damages you may be entitled to.

Contact a York Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite injury, you may be able to take legal action. It is in your best interest to contact a skilled personal injury attorney who understands what you are going through. You need an attorney who is committed to investigating your case and representing you in a personal injury lawsuit if possible.

The attorneys at Schmidt Kramer have decades of combined experience helping injured victims like yourself and will pursue all legal options available to recover any financial and emotional damages you may have suffered.

Contact our skilled lawyers and schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your claim. There are no fees or upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we help you recover adequate compensation.

We look forward to helping you. Call (717) 888-8888.

Free Case Review

No Upfront Fees

Recent Results

$10,043,952.13 Personal Injury
Schmidt Kramer, P.C.partner Gerard C. Kramer won a personal injury action for $10,043,952.13 in Northumberland County on behalf of a volunteer firefighter who was the victim of Intentional Tort. The 50-year-old volunteer firefighter was seriously injured when a barn collapsed, causing a spinal injury which left him a paraplegic. The claim was brought against the arsonist who intentionally started the fire. It is believed that the verdict is the highest ever in Northumberland County.
View Results
$4,034,000.00 Personal Injury
Yesterday a Judge in Union County (Lewisburg, PA) awarded a couple from New Berlin, Pennsylvania, over $4,000,000 because the husband was shot while turkey hunting.You might ask yourself, how does a turkey hunting accident end up with that type of verdict? In order to understand the verdict you would have to know our clients. They are good people who had their life wrecked. Plus, you would have to know the defendant, who should not have been hunting with a gun because he was prohibited after a previous criminal conviction.It is a good verdict, because the Judge was able to do two things with his decision. First, he communicated to two very good people that their losses were something that those of us on the outside could appreciate and value. Mike Hobbins (our client) is a 51 year old guy who lost his sight because a convicted felon --who should not have even possessed a gun-- went hunting illegally, and broke with impunity the most fundamental rule in hunting: identify your target before you pull the trigger. The Judge accepted the financial loss Mr. Hobbins' suffered, but listened closely to the evidence of less tangible losses. When Mike broke down on the stand, because his daughter would end up walking him down the aisle at her wedding, as opposed to how it was supposed to go, the Judge was listening. When Mike could not keep it together, because of how emasculating it was for him not to be able to provide financially for his family, the Judge was listening. It was facts like these that the Judge cited to support the $2,000,000 award for non-economic damages. Second, the Judge wanted to send a message. Union County is a hunting county. Many of the residents hunt there, and people from outside the area come to Union County to hunt. It was my impression, from the Judge's statements as he rendered his decision, that he wanted to send a message to the people in Union County to protect them in their sport. The rules in place to restrict people convicted of crimes not to have a gun are not to be broken. Hunting is serious and you have to identify your target before you shoot. When you turn your back on the rules that are set to provide safety in a sport, you risk being an example. Here, the $1,000,000 punitive damage award sends that message loud and clear.When it really comes down to brass tacks, the right action was taken against a Defendant who may never truly appreciate what kind of impact his reckless choices caused.At Schmidt Kramer, we are injury lawyers. That means we work with people who were hurt in car accidents, who were hurt by the neglect of nursing homes, or those that were seriously injured because of the reckless, thoughtless acts of others. If you or a loved one have been injured in Pennsylvania, we may be able to help. While the verdict yesterday is not one that is representative of every case we do, it does show that serious and dedicated representation can bring good results.Joe ChapmanJanuary 18, 2013
View Results
$2,200,000.00 Auto Accidents
On Monday, January 6, 2014, Schmidt Kramer accident lawyer Scott Cooper obtained a verdict on behalf of his client who is the widow of a man who died in a fiery crash on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County. The awarded verdict of $2.2 million was in a nonjury proceeding before a federal judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. That verdict includes $100,000 in punitive damages assessed against the owner of the trucking company.Kamilah Claxton won summary judgment in November after the defendants, Sukhwinder Singh and the trucking company for which he worked, failed to file a brief in opposition to Claxton's motion, which was made in September. The verdict in Claxton v. Singh was issued after the court held a non-jury assessment of damages earlier this month."Mr. Sukhchan Singh, the employer, is liable on the basis of respondent superior, but was also grossly negligent in failing to maintain his vehicle in compliance with state and federal law, particularly with regard to having required safety inspections and correcting defects in its braking equipment," said U.S. District Judge William W. Caldwell of the Middle District of Pennsylvania in his opinion accompanying the verdict."He was also grossly negligent in entrusting his vehicle to Sukhwinder Singh, an inexperienced truck driver who had failed the written test and driving test multiple times before finally earning his commercial driving license," Caldwell said.
View Results
$1,200,000.00 Personal Injury
A Dauphin County jury has awarded a $1.2 million verdict to the parents of a 5-year-old who had an anoxic brain injury and stopped breathing after he had a tonsillectomy.2012-06-26 10:00:00 AMDate of Verdict: June 19. 2012Court and Case No.: C.P. Dauphin County No. 2009-CV-14003-MMJudge: Scott EvansType of Action: Medical malpracticeInjuries: Anoxic brain injuryPlaintiffs Counsel: Terry S. Hyman, Schmidt Kramer, HarrisburgPlaintiffs Experts: Dr. Anna H. Messner, liability; Lucille Packer, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Palo Alto, Calif.; Terry P. Leslie, vocations and earning capacity, Lancaster; Dr. Hilary B. Berlin, pediatric psychiatry, Great Neck, N.Y.Defense Counsel: Andrew H. Foulkrod, Darlene K. King, Foulkrod Ellis, Camp Hill, PADefense Experts: James C. Reilly, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Wilmington, DEComment: A Dauphin County jury has awarded a $1.2 million verdict to the parents of a 5-year-old who had an anoxic brain injury and stopped breathing after he had a tonsillectomy.The entire verdict came against Dr. Andrew M. Shapiro, the doctor who plaintiffs Reginald Graham and Tykeisha Metz alleged chose to have the boy monitored at a pediatric ward. The plaintiffs argued Shapiro failed to tell nurses caring for the baby about, and how to care for, the boy's enhanced risk for respiratory failure.The jury came back on June 19 and awarded Reginald Graham and Tykeisha Mets $500,000 in non-economic damages and $686,170 in loss of future earning capacity, according to the plaintiffs counsel.According to the statement, the baby's mother brought him to Shapiro because she was "'afraid that he might stop breathing during his sleep,'" the plaintiffs' pretrial statement said. Shapiro performed a sleep study and observed the baby's Apnea Hypopnea Index to be 43 — four times higher than what's considered severe. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were performed.According to the plaintiffs, the baby's sleep study results put him at an increased risk for post-operative respiratory complications. Despite this, they argued in the statement, Shapiro ordered the pediatric nurses at the Harrisburg Hospital general pediatric ward to observe the boy as they would any other patients — about once every four hours.The pretrial statement said that one in four children who have an AHI in the 40s and oxygen desaturation below 80 have some type of respiratory problem. The younger the child, the greater the risk of a respiratory problem, the statement said.According to the statement, Shapiro took off the child's pulse oximeter, the finger-mounted device used to measure blood oxygen, and ordered a heart and respiratory rate monitor. The child was 11 months old at the time.The plaintiffs pled that the baby was last seen at 4 a.m. There was no record of his oxygen saturation for the next hour and 45 minutes. He stopped breathing a 6:40 a.m., and his brain was without oxygen long enough to cause demonstrable injury on an MRI."Immediately prior to his surgery, [the child] was a normal child, who could say mama, eat finger foods, and was just on the verge of walking," the statement said. "After his code, [he] was like a newborn. He could not lift his head or sit up. He could not talk. He could not move."In his pretrial statement, Shapiro argued that he recognized the child's pre-operative sleep study showed he was driven to breath by decreased blood oxygen saturation, which he said was typical in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.He argued the American Academy of Otolaryngology dictates that admission to the intensive care unit is not the standard of care. In the statement, he said nurses did not observe signs of respiratory distress. No alarms sounded until the child arrested, the statement said.He said the baby likely arrested as a result of hypoglycemia and/or an acute aspiration, which he argued would not have been identified by blood oxygen saturation.— Ben Present, of the Law Weekly
View Results
$1,024,040.80 Auto Accidents
Scott Cooper settled a wrongful death case on behalf of the widow of a police office who was killed in a car accident in the line of duty for $1,024,040.80. The claim against the other driver was amicably resolved before suit was filed for the entire available policy limits for the other driver. The case took place in Adams County, PA.
View Results

York PA Dog Bite Lawyer