If you or your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, or Maryland, the Siddons Law Firm, PLLC represents victims and their families in claims against the dog’s owner and any responsible third parties. Dog-bite cases involve quick-moving issues — medical care, animal-control reporting, insurance notice, and evidence preservation — and the right early steps make a significant difference in outcome.
The Legal Standard Varies By State
Dog-bite liability is one of the few areas of personal-injury law where the rules differ significantly across the four states we cover.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania follows a hybrid rule under the Dog Law (3 P.S. § 459-101 et seq.) and common-law negligence:
- For severe injuries (bite that breaks the skin and requires medical treatment), the owner is strictly liable for medical bills regardless of prior knowledge of viciousness.
- For non-economic damages (pain and suffering, scarring, emotional distress), the victim must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities — or that the owner’s negligence allowed the bite to occur.
- A “dangerous dog” designation under the statute (after a hearing) creates strict liability for any future incidents.
New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the most plaintiff-friendly dog-bite states. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, the owner is strictly liable for any bite that occurs in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property — with no requirement to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
New York
New York follows a strict “one-bite” rule. The owner is liable only if the dog has previously bitten or shown vicious tendencies AND the owner knew or should have known. Without prior-knowledge proof, recovery is limited to medical expenses under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123. For pain and suffering, prior knowledge or proof of negligence is required.
Maryland
Maryland adopted strict liability for dog bites in 2014 (Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901). The owner is presumed liable for injuries caused by a dog running at large or unrestrained. The presumption can be rebutted only by clear proof that the dog had no propensity to attack and the owner had no reason to know it would.
Who Pays?
Most dog-bite cases are paid through the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy of the dog’s owner. Standard homeowner’s policies typically include $100,000-$500,000 in liability coverage that can apply to dog-bite injuries. Some policies exclude specific breeds (German Shepherd, Doberman, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Chow Chow). If the owner is a renter, the renter’s policy may apply. If the dog is owned by a business or kept on commercial premises, the commercial general liability policy applies.
If no insurance is available, recovery against the owner personally is possible but often limited by the owner’s assets. Our investigation always identifies every applicable insurance source.
Common Injuries in Dog-Bite Cases
- Lacerations and puncture wounds — especially to the face, hands, and lower legs. Facial scarring is a major component of damages, particularly in children.
- Soft-tissue and tendon damage — bites to hands and arms can sever extensor tendons and require microsurgical repair.
- Nerve damage — deep bites near nerve bundles in the hand, wrist, or face can cause permanent loss of function or chronic neuropathic pain.
- Bone fractures — large dogs can fracture small bones (especially in children) or knock victims down causing secondary fractures.
- Infection — capnocytophaga and pasteurella infections from dog-bite puncture wounds are common and serious. Cellulitis, septic arthritis if a joint is breached, and rare but documented sepsis cases.
- Rabies exposure — if the dog’s rabies vaccination cannot be confirmed, the victim must undergo post-exposure prophylaxis (HRIG plus a 4-shot series). The cost of PEP alone is $3,000-$8,000.
- Psychological trauma — PTSD, dog phobia, and lasting fear of public spaces. These are compensable damages, especially in children.
Children and Dog Bites
Children are bitten in dog attacks at far higher rates than adults — the CDC estimates roughly half of all dog bites in the U.S. are to children. Bites to children tend to involve the face and head because of stature, often resulting in significant scarring and disfigurement. Some additional considerations:
- The statute of limitations is generally tolled until the child reaches age 18 in PA, NJ, and NY (i.e., the child has 2 or 3 years from their 18th birthday to file suit, depending on the state).
- Settlements involving minors require court approval and structured-settlement protections.
- Future medical care for scar revision (often a series of procedures spanning years) needs to be projected and documented.
Statute of Limitations
- Pennsylvania: 2 years from the date of injury (tolled for minors until age 18)
- New Jersey: 2 years from the date of injury (tolled for minors until age 18)
- New York: 3 years from the date of injury (tolled for minors until age 18)
- Maryland: 3 years from the date of injury (tolled for minors until age 18)
What to Do After a Dog Bite
- Get medical care immediately. Dog-bite puncture wounds carry a high infection rate.
- Report the bite to the local animal-control authority. This creates an official record and triggers rabies-quarantine protocols.
- Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone, and insurance information.
- Get the dog’s vaccination records.
- Photograph the injuries (and re-photograph as healing progresses — scarring documentation is critical).
- Identify and get contact information for any witnesses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurer.
- Call our office for a free evaluation.
Free Case Evaluation
If you or your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, or Maryland, contact our office for a free, confidential evaluation. There is no cost to discuss your potential claim, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation.
Schedule your free consultation today
Dog Bite Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
- Who pays for a dog bite — the owner or the insurance?
- Almost always the homeowner\u2019s, renter\u2019s, or umbrella insurance policy of the dog owner. We handle the insurance side; you don\u2019t go after the owner personally.
- Does the owner have to know the dog was dangerous?
- In Pennsylvania, an owner is strictly liable for medical costs even on a first bite, and is fully liable for all damages if the dog had previously been declared dangerous. New York and New Jersey have different rules — NJ is strict liability for bites, NY traditionally required prior knowledge of viciousness. Maryland is largely strict liability after a 2014 statute.
- What if the dog was on a leash or behind a fence?
- Restraint at the time of the bite affects fault but does not eliminate it. A leashed dog that lunged unprovoked, or a dog that escaped a fence, can still produce a viable claim.
- How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit?
- Two years in PA and NJ; three years in NY and MD. Claims against government property (mail carrier, parks) may have shorter notice windows.
- Will reporting the bite hurt my case?
- No — and you should report it. The animal-control report and rabies-quarantine record are key evidence. Photographs of the wound, medical records, and witness contact info also matter.