If a dog bit you in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you may be able to recover compensation from the dog’s owner, and in many cases, the owner does not need to have known the dog was dangerous. Both states hold owners responsible for dog bite injuries, though the rules differ in important ways. A dog bite lawyer in Pennsylvania can explain which rule applies to your bite and how much you may recover. How much you may recover, and from whom, depends on where the bite happened and the specific facts, so it is worth understanding how each state treats these claims.
This guide explains how dog bite claims work in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, what compensation may be available, and how the deadlines and defenses can affect your case. Dog bites spike in the summer months, when more people and pets are outdoors, so this is a common and often serious injury.
A dog bite lawyer in Pennsylvania usually starts with the state’s two-part approach. Under the state’s Dog Law, the owner of a dog that bites someone is generally responsible for the victim’s medical bills, regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before. This is a form of strict liability for medical costs, and it means you do not have to prove the owner did anything wrong to have those expenses covered.
To recover full damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, or lost income, the law generally requires a showing of more than mere negligence. A victim usually needs to show either that the owner was negligent, for example, by letting the dog run loose or ignoring leash rules, or that the dog had dangerous propensities the owner knew or should have known about. In practice, many strong Pennsylvania cases combine both threads: the medical costs are covered under the Dog Law, and additional damages are pursued through negligence. You can read a broader overview in our dog bite compensation guide.
New Jersey is more straightforward for victims. Under the state’s dog bite statute, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including on the owner’s property. In a dog bite lawsuit in NJ, the victim generally does not have to prove the dog had bitten anyone before or that the owner was careless. If you were lawfully where you had a right to be and a dog bit you, the owner is usually responsible.
This strict liability rule makes many New Jersey dog bite claims more direct than in some other states. There can still be disputes, for example about whether the person was lawfully present or whether they provoked the dog, but the owner cannot usually avoid responsibility just by saying the dog had never bitten anyone before.
Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a specific result. That said, a dog attack injury claim may seek compensation for a range of losses, which can include emergency and ongoing medical care, surgery and reconstructive treatment for scarring, lost wages if you missed work, and pain and suffering. A dog bite settlement can also account for lasting emotional effects, especially for children. What a case could be worth depends on the severity of the injury and the facts, so any estimate should be treated as a possibility rather than a guarantee.
The steps you take right after a bite can protect both your health and your claim. Get medical care promptly, even for a wound that looks minor, because dog bites carry a real infection risk. Identify the dog and owner if you can, get contact and witness information, take photographs of your injuries and the location, and report the bite to the appropriate local authority. We walk through these steps in detail in our companion article for Pennsylvania.
Deadlines matter. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the deadline to file most personal injury lawsuits, including dog bite claims, is generally two years from the date of the injury. There can be exceptions, for example for injured children, so you should not assume a deadline has passed or that you have plenty of time. If a bite happened, it is best to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later so no deadline is missed.
Owners and their insurers may raise defenses. Common ones include arguing that the victim was trespassing, that the victim provoked the dog, or, in Pennsylvania, disputing whether the owner was negligent for the full damages portion of a claim. Both states also apply comparative fault rules, which can reduce a recovery if the victim is found partly responsible. An experienced attorney can anticipate these arguments and build the case to address them.
Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, and the severity often drives what a claim may involve. Puncture wounds and lacerations are common, and they carry a real risk of infection, including from bacteria in a dog’s mouth. More serious bites can cause nerve and tissue damage, broken bones, and permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially in bites to the face, hands, and arms. Children are particularly vulnerable, both because of their size and because facial injuries can have lasting physical and emotional effects. Beyond the physical harm, many victims experience anxiety, fear of dogs, and other emotional effects, which may also be part of a claim.
Most dog bites involve the dog’s owner, but not always. Depending on the facts, others may share responsibility. A landlord who knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog on the property, a property manager, or someone who was handling or keeping the dog at the time may potentially be liable under a negligence theory. Where the bite happened can matter too. A bite that occurs while you are lawfully on someone’s property, at a park, on a sidewalk, or during a delivery can each raise different considerations about who is responsible and which insurance applies. Sorting out every potentially responsible party is part of building a strong claim, and it is something an attorney can help with after reviewing the specific circumstances.
Many people hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim because the owner is a neighbor, friend, or relative. It helps to understand that dog bite claims are frequently paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of the owner’s own pocket. That means seeking compensation is usually a claim against a policy, not a personal attack on someone you know. There are limits to be aware of. Some policies exclude certain breeds or have caps on animal liability coverage, and a few owners may have no applicable coverage at all. An attorney can help identify what coverage exists and how to pursue it, so you are not guessing about where compensation may come from.
Not necessarily. In New Jersey, owners are generally strictly liable even for a first bite. In Pennsylvania, medical costs are typically covered regardless of the dog’s history, whereas full damages usually require proof of negligence or knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities.
Many dog bite claims are actually paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of the owner’s pocket. That means you can often pursue a claim without a personal financial fight with someone you know.
Generally, two years from the date of the bite in both states, though exceptions can apply, especially for children. Because deadlines are strict, it is wise to speak with an attorney promptly.
The same laws generally apply, and children’s cases can involve additional considerations, including their long-term care and any special deadline rules. Children’s dog-bite injuries, especially facial scarring, are taken seriously.
Our consultations are free, and these cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee unless we win. You can explore your options without any upfront cost.
You focus on healing. We will focus on your claim. Call Ethen Ostroff Law at 610-510-8883 for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we win, and we can help you understand what compensation you may be able to pursue. Justice For All.
His career began in public service as a Surveillance Officer in Maricopa County, where he gained firsthand experience in high-stakes decision-making and developed a deep sense of discipline and accountability. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of a fast-growing law firm, driving efficiency, revenue growth, and team development. Today, Ryan focuses on helping law firms reach their full potential by aligning people, processes, and long-term vision. A strategic thinker and empowering leader, Ryan is passionate about developing others and guiding organizations through meaningful, lasting growth.
Passionate about securing legal rights, Joseph actively participates in pro bono work through various organizations, including Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh and the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. Licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, he is a member of the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Outside of work, Joseph enjoys sports, reading, and creative writing, and has been involved in rowing and curling. He resides in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with his parents.
Nicholas began his post-graduate career clerking for the Honorable Linda Rovder Fleming in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas. From there, he quickly found his calling in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability law—areas where he could directly impact people’s lives in moments of crisis. He’s helped clients navigate complex legal claims, including securing a settlement exceeding $300,000.
Nicholas brings clear communication, genuine empathy, and an unrelenting drive to achieve the best outcomes for his clients. Whether he’s navigating a complex workers’ comp claim or pushing for a major settlement, he brings focus, dedication, and deep legal knowledge to every case.
He’s also a proud member of Pennsylvania Advocates for Justice and remains active in various professional legal organizations. Nicholas is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania.
When he’s not fighting for the injured, Nicholas is enjoying time with his family, kicking a soccer ball around, hitting the golf course, or cheering on Pittsburgh’s local teams.
Joe Ring heads the workers’ compensation department at Ethen Ostroff Law, where he takes pride in fighting for injured workers.
Joe is a Philadelphia native and maintains deep roots in the area. As the grandson of a Philadelphia Firefighter, son of a Philadelphia public school teacher, and veteran of the United State Marine Corps, he was taught to value service, dedication, and hard work. He applies these values to every case and takes great satisfaction in representing hard-working clients with those same traits.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in history from St. Vincent College in Western Pennsylvania, he graduated from Villanova Law School in 2012 and, since then, has litigated hundreds of workers’ compensation hearings and trial depositions on behalf of both employers and injured workers. During this time, Mr. Ring has written articles and presented Continuing Legal Education courses on developments in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law. He is active in local professional organizations, and, in 2022, he served a Co-chairperson of the Philadelphia Bar Associations Workers’ Compensation Section.
Since coming to EOL in 2024, he has dedicated his practice entirely to helping injured workers navigate the system and obtain their rightful benefits.
Joe is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.
Brandon Zanan heads the personal injury claim department with Ethen Ostroff Law.
Brandon’s education in both law and medicine assist him in expertly representing badly injured victims. Brandon has a Master’s Degree in Forensic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with a concentration in anatomy and pathology. With this knowledge, Brandon is skilled at analyzing medical records and understanding injuries that are common in personal injury claims. He uses this expertise in conjunction with listening carefully to each client’s needs, in order to fiercely advocate for clients and tell their stories when they would not otherwise have a voice.
Brandon’s background includes a variety of experience and skills in various areas of civil practice. He is the author and editor of numerous books for the George T. Bisel Publishing Company, including “Pennsylvania Damages” and the “Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Annotated,” two texts that are frequently relied on by lawyers and judges across Pennsylvania as authoritative resources on personal injury law.
Brandon is a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations. He is also a member of Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and has served as an executive board member of the Montgomery American Inn of Court.
He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Middle District of Pennsylvania, the State of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Brandon has represented many clients in motor vehicle, premises liability, animal bite, and products liability cases across Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has obtained outstanding results with millions of dollars recovered for his clients.
He has been named a Pennsylvania Rising Star from 2021 onward. The “Super Lawyers-Rising Star®”, list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state
Brandon currently lives in Malvern with his wife Rachel and their son Max.
Effective Date: July 10, 2024
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