Is It Worth it to Sue for a Dog Bite?

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Jun 19, 2025 | Dog Bites, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Suffering a dog bite can be incredibly painful—physically, emotionally, and financially. Deciding whether it’s worth it to sue for a dog bite can be complicated. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through Pennsylvania laws, how liability gets established, what kinds of compensation may be available, and what to expect from the legal process.

Our dog bite attorneys at GLS Injury Law are available 24/7 at 717‑394‑3004 to discuss your case during a free consultation.

Understanding the Problem: How Common Are Dog Bites?

Dog bites are far more common than many realize, and their impact can be long-lasting. Knowing how widespread the issue is can help you understand that you’re not alone—and that legal action may be justified. If you’re considering suing for a dog bite, it’s essential to understand the national and local data surrounding these incidents to evaluate risk, harm, and accountability.

National Statistics

Each year, approximately 4.5–4.7 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs, and about 800,000–900,000 of those bites require medical attention
Children are at a higher risk of being bitten by a dog, and are likely to sustain more serious injuries
Roughly 1 in 74 Americans are bitten each year
Over the past few years, an average of 50 to 80 people died each year from dog bites in the U.S.

Pennsylvania Statistics

Pennsylvania sees approximately 17.2 dog bite incidents per 100,000 residents. That’s about 2,200 dog bites a year.
Postal workers are extremely vulnerable. The USPS reported 316 dog bite incidents involving its Pennsylvania workers in 2024, contributing to the over 6,000 total mail carrier dog bite incidents nationwide.

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws: Can You Sue?

When you’re bitten in Pennsylvania, you may have legal grounds to sue—depending on the circumstances. The state’s laws are a bit complex, blending elements of strict liability with negligence-based claims. If you’re thinking about suing for a dog bite, it’s essential to understand how these laws apply to your situation.

Strict Liability for Medical Bills

In Pennsylvania, we have a strict animal confinement law. This means dogs must be on their owners’ property or under the control of some person. The owners’ property is considered inside the home, out in the yard and secured by a collar, or confined within the property by a reliable fence.

If a dog owner has a dog tied off in the front yard, but the yard leash extends beyond the property, the owner is responsible for harm caused to another person. When leaving their property, dogs must be secured by a person who can control them at all times and not left to roam freely.

Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law a dog owner is strictly liable for a victim’s medical expenses — even if the dog never showed aggression before or the owner did nothing wrong. In other words, you don’t have to prove negligence to recover your medical costs. This applies as long as:

The dog caused injury
The victim did not provoke the dog
The victim was lawfully on the property

However, this law only guarantees compensation for medical bills, not for pain and suffering, lost wages, or emotional distress.

Suing for a Dog Bite Beyond Medical Bills

To recover more than just medical expenses — like pain and suffering, lost wages, or scarring — Pennsylvania requires you to prove that the owner was negligent, or that:

The dog had a history of viciousness or aggression, and
The owner knew or should have known about the dog’s dangerous tendencies (sometimes referred to as the “one-bite rule” in practice, although it’s not officially law in PA)

This is where your attorney will build a case using:

Prior attack reports
Aggressive behavior complaints
Lack of leash or proper restraint
Violation of local leash laws

Dangerous Dog Designation

Pennsylvania also has a legal process to classify a dog as “dangerous.” A dog may be designated as such if it has:

Inflicted severe injury without provocation
Attacked a person or domestic animal without justification
Been involved in multiple aggressive incidents

If a dog is already registered as “dangerous” and attacks again, the owner faces heightened liability — including criminal charges and much stronger civil claims.

Statute of Limitations

Pennsylvania gives you 2 years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you’re suing for a dog bite, acting quickly is important — waiting too long could forfeit your legal rights entirely.

Special Considerations for Children

Children under age 7 are generally presumed to have not provoked the dog under PA law. That means they receive greater protection and benefit of the doubt in dog bite cases.

What You Need to Prove if You Sue for a Dog Bite

Dog bite claims often come down to what can be proven. Just being bitten by a dog doesn’t automatically guarantee compensation. To succeed when suing for a dog bite, you or your dog bite attorney will need to establish certain legal elements like duty, breach, causation, and damages. Here’s what that looks like.

To win compensation, your attorney must establish:

Duty of care – dog owners must prevent their pets from causing harm.
Breach – the owner failed to keep the dog properly confined.
Causation – the breach directly caused your injuries.
Damages – quantifiable losses like medical bills or lost wages.

Evidence may include medical reports, witness statements, photos, veterinary records, and any prior bite history.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover After a Dog Bite

Medical bills are just the beginning when it comes to dog bite injuries. Victims often face emotional trauma, time off work, and even permanent disfigurement. If you’re suing for a dog bite, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.

Let’s break down the full range of possible compensation.

Economic Damages:

All medical expenses (ER visits, surgery, rehab, etc.)
Lost income or diminished earning capacity
Property damage (clothing, glasses)

Non-economic damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress (anxiety, PTSD)
Scarring and disfigurement

Pennsylvania does not cap damages in dog bite cases—but the defendant’s insurance policy limits may apply. A dog bite attorney can take a closer look at the insurance policies involved and explain what, if any limitations a victim may have when recovering compensation.

Not every dog bite injury justifies a lawsuit—but many do.

If you’re uncertain about suing for a dog bite, it’s always best to talk with a dog bite lawyer who can share with you the pros and cons of filing a personal injury claim.

The Legal Process for a Dog Bite Lawsuit

If you’re considering suing for a dog bite, it’s important to understand what the legal journey looks like from start to finish. While every case is unique, most follow a general path that includes investigation, negotiation, and — if necessary — trial. Fortunately, the majority of dog bite claims are resolved through settlement before ever reaching court.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect when reaching out to a dog bite law firm.

Free Consultation & Case Review

Your first step is reaching out to a dog bite attorney for a free consultation. At GLS Injury Law, we offer 24/7 availability to evaluate your case. During this review, we’ll:

Gather the facts (when, where, how the bite happened)
Review medical records and photos
Determine liability and damages
Explain your legal options

This no-pressure meeting helps you decide whether suing for a dog bite makes sense based on the merits of your case.

Demand Package Sent to Insurance Company

If your case has merit, your dog bite attorney will prepare a demand package and send it to the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance company. This includes:

A detailed account of the incident
Medical records and expenses
Documentation of lost wages and future costs
Evidence of pain, suffering, and emotional trauma

The goal is to demand fair compensation before formal litigation begins.

Negotiation of Settlement

Once the insurance company receives the demand letter, negotiations begin. Insurance companies may:

Offer a low initial settlement
Request additional documentation
Try to deny liability

Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to secure the maximum compensation possible. Many cases settle at this stage—especially when evidence is strong and the insurance company wants to avoid court.

Filing a Lawsuit If Negotiations Fail

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your attorney may file a formal complaint in civil court. This marks the beginning of litigation.

While the idea of suing for a dog bite may sound intimidating, rest assured that most cases settle well before trial. Settlements save time, money, and stress for both sides — especially when the evidence is in the victim’s favor. With an experienced legal team on your side, you’re more likely to resolve your claim efficiently and favorably.

Is Suing For a Dog Bite Right For You? Call Our Dog Bite Lawyers Today to Discuss Your Case.

Deciding whether suing for a dog bite is worth it comes down to:

Severity of your injuries and costs
Evidence of owner negligence or knowledge
Emotional trauma endured
Your long-term financial and physical outlook

If you have significant bills, permanent injury, and a strong claim, pursuing legal action is often the best option. Our attorneys are here to support you—call 717‑394‑3004 for your free consultation 24/7.

When it comes to personal injury law, experience and results matter. At GLS Injury Law, we’ve successfully helped dog bite victims across Pennsylvania get the justice and compensation they deserve. If you’re considering suing for a dog bite, trust the team that knows how to deliver results—because Winning Is No Accident™.