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Legally Reviewed by Michael Lerner on June 9, 2026
Dog bites cause serious physical injuries — deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, facial scarring, broken bones, and infections that can become life-threatening. For children, the psychological impact can last for years. When a dog attack happens in Bucks County, most victims do not know that Pennsylvania law gives them two separate paths to compensation, and that the path they choose determines how much they can recover.
Pennsylvania imposes strict liability on dog owners for medical expenses. That means the owner is responsible for your medical bills whether or not the dog had ever bitten anyone before, and regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. But strict liability covers medical costs only. To recover lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring, and the full range of damages, you must also prove negligence — either that the owner knew the dog had dangerous propensities, or that they violated Pennsylvania’s Dog Law by failing to keep the animal under control. At Lerner, Steinberg and Associates, we pursue both paths on every dog bite case we handle.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Pennsylvania Law Limits Your Window to File
Bucks County dog bite victims have 2 years from the date of the attack to file a claim — and evidence about the dog’s history disappears fast.
No fee unless we win. Call (215) 714-1500 to speak directly with Mike Lerner or Ben Steinberg today.
Contact Lerner Steinberg & Associates today by filling out our free consultation form or calling 215-714-1500 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
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Pennsylvania’s dog bite law operates on two tiers, and understanding both is essential to getting full compensation:
From the first call, we investigate both paths simultaneously. We subpoena animal control records for prior complaints or dangerous dog designations, review any homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies, document the scene and circumstances of the attack, and gather medical records that capture the full extent of your injuries — including psychological trauma, which is compensable and frequently undervalued by insurance companies.
Dog attacks in Bucks County cause a wide range of physical and psychological injuries. The cases we handle most frequently involve:
Deep puncture wounds and lacerations that require stitches, staples, or reconstructive surgery, permanent scarring and disfigurement particularly on the face, hands, and arms, nerve damage causing numbness, loss of function, or chronic pain, broken bones from being knocked to the ground during an attack, tendon and muscle damage requiring surgical repair, and serious infections including cellulitis, sepsis, and potential rabies exposure requiring emergency post-exposure treatment. Children are disproportionately represented in dog bite cases and tend to suffer facial injuries at significantly higher rates than adults due to their height relative to most dogs.
Dog attacks frequently cause post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety around animals, and phobias that affect daily life long after physical wounds have healed. For children, these psychological injuries can disrupt development and require extended therapy. Permanent scarring and disfigurement — particularly facial scarring — carry significant long-term damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. We document all of this with the appropriate medical and psychological experts to make sure insurance companies cannot minimize what your injuries are actually worth. According to the CDC, dog bites account for tens of thousands of emergency room visits annually, with children under 14 among the most frequently injured.
The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affect what you can recover. Get medical treatment immediately — dog bite wounds are prone to serious infection and need to be properly cleaned and documented by a medical professional. Report the attack to Bucks County animal control or your local municipality so a record is created and the dog’s vaccination and prior bite history can be investigated. Get the owner’s name, address, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. Photograph your injuries and the location of the attack before anything changes. Identify any witnesses. Do not sign any releases or accept any payment from the owner or their insurance company before speaking with an attorney — early settlements almost never account for the full scope of your injuries and future medical needs.
We have handled dog bite cases throughout Bucks County for over 34 years from our office in Feasterville-Trevose. We know the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown, the local defense firms that represent homeowner insurance carriers, and how to investigate the dog’s history through Bucks County animal control records and prior complaint filings. Mike Lerner and Ben Steinberg handle your case directly — from the first call through settlement or verdict. You are never handed off to a paralegal or case manager.
Unlike large law firms where you’re just a case number, we provide personalized attention to every client. You’ll work directly with our attorneys, not just paralegals or case managers. We take the time to understand your unique situation and develop a strategy tailored to your specific needs.
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you. We’re confident in our ability to win your case.
Dog bite cases often involve homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, which means the fight is against an insurance company that has handled hundreds of these claims. We know their playbook — lowball medical-only offers, attempts to claim you provoked the dog, and pressure to settle before the full extent of your injuries is clear. We have been litigating against these carriers in Bucks County for decades and do not accept offers that fail to account for the complete value of your case.
Partially. Pennsylvania imposes strict liability on dog owners for medical expenses when their dog bites or attacks someone unprovoked. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous — strict liability applies to medical costs regardless. However, to recover pain and suffering, lost wages, and the full range of damages, you must also prove negligence — either that the owner knew the dog had dangerous propensities, or that they violated Pennsylvania Dog Law by failing to keep the dog under adequate control.
The owner is still strictly liable for your medical expenses even if the dog had no prior bite history. For full damages beyond medical costs, we investigate whether the owner violated Pennsylvania Dog Law by failing to keep the dog properly leashed or enclosed — which is negligence per se — or whether other evidence shows the owner knew or should have known the dog could be dangerous.
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the attack. If you miss that deadline your claim is permanently barred. Acting quickly also matters for evidence — animal control records, prior complaint history, and witness accounts are easier to obtain closer to the incident date.
If the dog owner has no homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you may still be able to pursue compensation directly from them. We investigate all available coverage sources before advising on strategy. In some cases, umbrella policies or other coverage applies. We will tell you honestly what the realistic recovery options are in your specific situation.
Yes. Neighbor dog bite claims are among the most common we handle. The neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance typically covers the claim, so pursuing compensation does not necessarily mean personal financial hardship for them. We handle all communication with the insurer so you do not have to navigate that relationship yourself.
Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations is tolled (paused) for minors. A child who is bitten generally has until their 20th birthday to file a claim — two years after they turn 18. However, waiting that long creates serious evidentiary challenges. We recommend contacting an attorney promptly after any dog attack involving a child so evidence can be preserved and documented while it is still available.
Meet with our attorneys to discuss your case at no cost.
We thoroughly investigate your accident, gather evidence, and consult with experts if needed.
We help coordinate your medical care and ensure all injuries are properly documented.
Our team builds a compelling case demonstrating liability and the full extent of your damages.
We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to court.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence, you need skilled legal representation to protect your rights. Insurance companies often minimize these injuries or try to blame the victim, making it difficult to receive fair compensation without proper legal help.
Let our experienced slip and fall attorneys at Lerner Steinberg & Associates fight for the maximum compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery. We understand the challenges these cases present and have the knowledge, resources, and determination to help you rebuild your life after a serious injury.
