What To Do If a Dog Bites You in PA or NJ

Hi, I’m Eric Shore. I’m a lawyer, but I’m also a proud dog dad. I have a Goldendoodle and two toy poodles—one of them is even a trained service dog. I love dogs. But I also know that sometimes dogs bite. And it can be really scary.

Believe it or not, I’ve been bitten more than once. A big St. Bernard bit my ear in Boston and I had to get stitches at the hospital. Another time, a friend’s dog bit my hand when I bent down to pet it. I had to get a tetanus shot and couldn’t even sign letters for a while.

So, if you’ve been bitten by a dog, I understand what you’re going through. And my law office is here to help you.

Can You Get Money After a Dog Bite?

Yes, you might be able to get money for things like:

  • Your medical bills
  • Money you lost if you missed work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scars or injuries
  • Therapy or counseling

It depends on how bad the bite was and how it affected your life. We’ll talk with you and help figure that out.

Dog Bite Laws Are Different in Each Place

In Pennsylvania:

  • If the dog bit someone before, the owner must pay for everything.
  • If it was the dog’s first bite, you can still get money for your doctor bills. But to get more, like pain and suffering, we may need to show that the owner was careless.

In Philadelphia:

  • There are extra rules here. If the owner broke one—like letting their dog off a leash—it could help your case.

In New Jersey:

  • The law is more simple. If a dog bites you, the owner is responsible—even if it was the dog’s first time.

Act Fast—There’s a Time Limit

You only have 2 years to file a claim after a dog bite. That might sound like a long time, but it goes by fast. And it’s better to start early, while the details are still fresh and evidence is easy to find.

What You Should Do After a Dog Bite

If a dog bites you or someone you love, here’s what you should do right away:

  1. Get medical help
  2. Report the bite to the police or animal control
  3. Take pictures of your injury and the dog if you can
  4. Get the names of the dog’s owner and any witnesses
  5. Keep your doctor bills and records
  6. Call a lawyer who knows how to handle dog bite cases

What If the Dog Belongs to Someone You Know?

Lots of dog bites happen with dogs we know—maybe a friend’s or neighbor’s dog. You might feel bad filing a claim.

But here’s the truth: most of the time, their insurance pays, not them. You’re not trying to hurt them—you’re just making sure you get the help you need to get better.

Why People Trust Me and My Team

We’ve helped thousands of people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey after accidents and dog bites. We’re kind, we listen, and we fight hard to get you what you need. We’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and people trust us because:

  • We make things easy to understand
  • We treat you like family
  • We’ve got thousands of 5-star reviews
  • We don’t charge anything unless we win

Free Consultation – Let’s Talk

If a dog bit you, call us. We’ll listen, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next. It’s free to talk, and there’s no pressure.

Call: 1-800-CANT-WORK (1-800-226-8967)

Email: contact@ericshore.com

Visit: www.1800CantWork.com

You don’t have to go through this alone. Let us help you get the care and the justice you deserve.

— Eric Shore

The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore

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