Pottsville

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Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers in Pottsville, PA

Delivering Trustworthy, High-Caliber Legal Assistance Since 1888

For over a century, Metzger Wickersham has been a staunch and empathetic defender of Pennsylvania residents, tirelessly working to shield individuals from the harm caused by negligent disregard. Our legal team is committed to holding negligent parties accountable, and we work tirelessly for our clients. Seeking justice for victims is important to us because we understand how being injured by a dog bite can be a traumatic experience.  

In the unfortunate event you or a loved one is injured in a dog bite incident; Metzger Wickersham is ready to assist. We can help gather necessary evidence, estimate your damages, and advocate for your entitlement to just compensation. Our seasoned team of attorneys is devoted to securing justice for our clients promptly and professionally. We pride ourselves on our impressive history of successful representation of victims like yourself.

Contact us at (570) 580-4828 to schedule your first consultation with our experienced dog bite lawyers.

Comprehensive Overview of Pennsylvania's Dog Bite Laws

Pennsylvania's dog bite laws are a blend of statewide legislation and case law. These laws provide a thorough framework for understanding liability and compensation in the aftermath of a dog bite incident. The most common defenses in dog bite cases include trespassing and provocation. The owner might not be held liable if the victim was unlawfully on the property or provoked the dog.

If you’ve been involved in a dog bite incident, you should know the following to understand your rights and the expectations of dog owners:  

  • Understanding Liability and "Dangerous Dogs": Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law, a dog owner becomes liable for damages inflicted by their dog if it severely injures another person, attacks someone unprovoked, or has been previously deemed a "dangerous dog." 
  • Dangerous Dogs: Pennsylvania's dangerous dog law is designed to protect residents and their pets from dangerous and aggressive dogs. A dangerous dog is defined as one that has attacked a person unprovoked or killed or injured a domestic animal without provocation while off its owner's property.
  • Strict Liability vs. Negligence: Pennsylvania operates under a combined rule of strict liability and negligence for dog bites. If a dog has never bitten another dog or person before (known as the 'one bite rule'), the owner is responsible for medical costs but not additional damages unless negligence can be proven. However, if a dog has bitten another dog or person, it can be considered "dangerous," and the owner is liable for all damages.
  • Control and Ownership: All dogs in Pennsylvania must be controlled and not allowed to run at large. Dogs are considered personal property, and owners are responsible for damage caused by their dogs.  
  • Leash Laws: Pennsylvania law requires that a dog must always be confined within the owner's premises, firmly secured by a collar and chain (leash), or under the owner's control. While there is no explicit state-wide leash law, certain locations and situations may require a dog to be leashed, and many cities throughout the state have their own dog leash laws.
  • Licensing: All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's dog bite laws, as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and case law, provide a comprehensive framework for understanding liability and compensation in dog bite cases. Understanding these laws is crucial when dealing with a dog bite case in Pennsylvania. Always consult with a knowledgeable attorney for legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

Rely on Our Expertise for Your Dog Bite Claim

Dog bite incidents, while common, can lead to severe repercussions. If you or a loved one has suffered after such an incident, the knowledgeable dog bite accident attorneys at Metzger Wickersham can help. Our team comprehends the magnitude of a dog bite claim and is equipped with the necessary resources to offer you personalized care and assistance. You can trust our team to work hard on your behalf. We're here to help you navigate through this challenging time.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite accident, schedule a consultation with our Pottsville dog bite attorneys by calling (570) 580-4828 or reaching out online.

Success Stories

A History of Happy Clients
  • "You guys have been more than kind and understanding and respectful to me. For that I am greatly appreciative. Thank you for everything you did and are doing."
    Donna S.
  • "My wife had been fighting SSI for over three years. Since working with Metzger Wickersham her stress and anxiety levels were 100% gone. They were always in communication with us, guiding us through ..."
    Carlos B.
  • "Everyone here was very helpful and worked very hard. I have nothing but good things to say about Metzger Wickersham. The team kept me well informed and updated at all times!"
    Thomas C.
  • "Being in an accident is overwhelming with injuries, loss of property, medical bills, and insurance hassles. I'm grateful for Metzger Wickersham's help during this trying time. The settlement results ..."
    Tanya W.
  • "Metzger Wickersham is the best. They helped us a lot and we made some great friends along the way. If you need a great group of lawyers, these are the people you want. They got all our medical bills ..."
    Kathy S.
  • "I was hurt in a bad accident and called Metzger Wickersham. Thankfully I did! They have been great, on top of things, and always doing their job well. Extremely pleased with my experience!"
    Kristen H.
  • "If you need help to right a wrong, I strongly recommend calling Metzger Wickersham. They took my case when others said I had none and found those responsible for my injury even after the moving ..."
    Tim K.
  • "I used Metzger Wickersham for a personal injury dog bite case. Attorney Love was great to work with and made the whole process smooth and painless. Everything was explained with detail, the team was ..."
    Jessica B.
  • "I thank you, Mr. Craig Love. You are a very honest person and explained every detail of my case."
    Elsie J.
  • "You all did a great job for me. You kept in contact with me through everything. I would recommend you to everyone."
    Ruth M.
  • "Thank you card from HHS KeyClub."
    HHS KeyClub
  • "I was involved in a car accident (not at fault), that seemed like it would be straightforward. The at-fault driver accepted fault and so did their insurance company. The problem was that they wanted ..."
    M.H.
  • "I worked with [Attorney] Zachary Campbell & [Paralegal] Tammy Dagrosa & they were AMAZING! They helped me win my case & handle my medical debt from my accident! Thanks to them, my daughter & I will be ..."
    Former Client
  • "I had never dealt with a personal injury firm before, but my neighbor recommended that I contact Metzger Wickersham because they used that firm and were happy with the results. I talked to them and ..."
    Erik R.
  • "Scholarship thank you card."
    Lizzie
  • "Thank you note from a former client."
    Brenda R.
  • "Thank you card from the Golf Classic event."
    Joe
  • "They did wonderful thank you so much."
    Dan C.
  • "Thank you note from a former client."
    Previous Client
  • "Thank you card from a former client."
    Former Client
  • "Thank you note from the Food Pantry."
    Food Pantry
  • "I am absolutely and completely impressed with this firm. Them adding attorney, Lori Painter, to the team was a smart decision. Lori went above and beyond for me during my SS disability appeal process ..."
    Kimberly B. D.
  • "I worked with Troy and he was wonderful. Thoughtful, caring, always was there when I needed explaining or answers. Thanks, Troy."
    Jeremy L.
  • "Our goal was accomplished!"
    Debbie K.
  • "Was a slow process because of the insurance company. They did a great job for me and got a good settlement! Better than I was expecting."
    Jerry C.
  • "I was beyond pleased with the way my case was handled. Each time I either called or emailed the office either [Attorney] Lori or [Paralegal] Kara responded quickly. I had many questions and I also ..."
    Matthew R.
  • "Based upon my experience with the intake associate and especially with Attorney Andrea Staub, I strongly recommend this business. I was recently the victim of a devastating automobile accident that ..."
    Donna S.
  • "When I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle in Nov, of 2021, I learned that having a lawyer would be important to making sure all of my expenses would be compensated by the driver’s insurance. I ..."
    Leonard Z.
  • "This firm goes above above and beyond for their clients. The process was unbelievably simple on my end and my atty kept me updated the entire time. Will use them again in future if ever necessary and ..."
    Alli G.
  • "[Attorney] Craig Love did a Great job for me"
    Jordan F.
  • "They kept me up to date on everything that was goin on with my case. Answered all my questions."
    Lori D.
  • "Very courtesy and understanding and helps you to the fullest therefore you anytime of the day to talk to you and answer your questions and I will use them again."
    Cindy R.
  • "Very happy with our experience would highly recommend them Thank you Zack Campbell"
    Diana B.
  • "They were great with communication and very helpful. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone and everyone!"
    Cheena W.
  • "[Paralegal] Emily kept up to date emailing and getting information and [Attorney] Cat did a wonderful job representing me and explained everything perfectly."
    Debra G.
  • "Troy was a pleasure to work with from the first day of meeting him to our last meeting. Troy always kept in touch even if it was just to say hello and see how I was. best lawyer!"
    Roxanne F.
  • "Metzger Wickersham’s [Attorney] Zach was so easy to work with. His professionalism is unmatched to any other attorney I have ever had to deal with. He always kept me informed on any new information ..."
    Cindy
  • "It is hard to express in words how grateful I am that I chose Metzger Wickersham to help me with my case. [Attorney] Andrea, [Paralegal] Shawn (Wilkes Barre Pa), [Attorney] Zach, [Paralegal] Melanie, ..."
    Patricia L.
  • "[Attorney] Zach and [Paralegal] Amber were beyond helpful. The attention to detail, constant communication and customer service is beyond appreciated. Would recommend to anyone that needs their help ..."
    Denise S.
  • "“My attorney and her team were wonderful. Very knowledgeable, understanding, and caring towards my needs during such a lengthy process. Would use again."
    Tracy O.
  • Client-Focused & Results Driven
    You are more than just a case number. At our firm, we treat our clients like family and ensure you get the recovery you deserve.
  • 24/7 Representation
    The minute you need us, we are here to help. When you can't visit us, we'll visit you, and when you need answers, we'll give you solutions.
  • Dedicated Team
    When you trust us with your case, you get a FULL team of dedicated and experienced attorneys working to solve your case.
  • Decades of Experience
    Our team has had our doors open for over 135 years and we have roots dating back to 1888.

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