Dog Bites Are Harder To Convict

Because the pandemic has caused everyone to become a pet owner, dogs are happier for the situation, but not all owners know how to handle their dogs. Our Pittsburgh dog bite attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman have seen the tragic stories of innocent children, teens, and adults mauled by dogs. We are here to help you tell your story in court to get the compensation you deserve.

 Not All Endings Make Sense

In recent years people have been increasingly online shopping. This means companies like UPS and FedEx are constantly on the move and delivering more and more to doorsteps. In 2019, a UPS driver was mauled by three dogs on someone’s private property. The delivery woman suffered a major injury to her leg. She commented that the injury to her calf resembled what she imagined a shark bite to look like. The owner of the dogs went to court and won against the UPS driver. His defense attorney stated that the dogs were confined to his private property and that the confinement statute was not violated. This shocking result has left victims shaken. The UPS driver is going back to court with a $50,000 negligence lawsuit.

The three dogs responsible for the injuries were put down after the incident. A sad ending all around: the owner knew of the aggressive nature of the dogs, the UPS woman was trying to do her job, a defense attorney who knew to work the legal system, and a judge willing to accept the defense attorney’s argument. Our dog bite attorneys are very experienced and aware of dog bite laws in Pennsylvania.  Even though there is no magic wand to wave to make the situation better, we know some steps you can take to make the situation easier.

• First, call 911. It is very important to get access to medical staff because you do not know if the dog has had its vaccines or not. The spread of rabies is real and having a medical team to look for signs and symptoms is important. The medical staff can also document all the injuries related to the incident. If you don’t need 911, then please make sure you see some medical person.
• Second, get names and witness statements. Everyone has their own story, but the truth is a dog bit you, and now you are injured. Getting other people to tell part of the story can help bolster how it happened and where it happened.
• Third, get an attorney.

An attorney by your side can ensure that the dog is properly isolated after such an incident as required by law. An attorney can also ensure that you get the compensation you deserve from medical bills to physical and mental therapy. We advocate for your financial needs, and the dog owner will be held responsible. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.