Dog Bite Victims

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

A dog bite or animal attack of any kind may result not only in serious physical injuries or even death, but it can cause extensive emotional trauma to the victim and the victim's family. In the wake of an event such as a dog bite or animal attack, it can be difficult to know where to turn. You likely have many questions, including who can be held liable, if the dog will be put down, what your case is worth, and more. A competent dog bite lawyer in your area can answer all of these questions and can provide you with the legal counsel you need in order to seek financial compensation for your injuries.

Dog Attack Statistics

• Worldwide, there are 4.7 million dog bites annually
• 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites every year
• Nearly half of all dog bites were inflicted upon children under 14 years of age
• Children between the ages of 5 and 9 have the highest rate of injury
• The average cost of a hospital stay for a dog-bite injury in 2010 was $18,200
• 71% of bites occur to the arms, legs, feet, and hands
• Approximately 25% of fatal dog attacks involve dogs that were chained
• 92% of fatal attacks involve male dogs, and 94% of those dogs were not neutered
• The insurance industry pays out more than $1 billion in dog attack-related claims every year

The CDC provides a number of helpful tips to assist you in protecting your loved ones from dog bites, but if you have suffered an attack, it is important to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer right away. By contacting a Philadelphia personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Thomas J. Murphy, Jr. as soon as possible, you can receive a free case evaluation from attorney Murphy himself. With his over two decades of experience and an unrelenting commitment to his clients' rights, Mr. Murphy strives to provide only the highest quality legal representation in these cases.

Pursuing Compensation for Dog Attacks

Unfortunately, a great number of dog bite victims are children. Because of their small stature and their tendency to want to play with or approach a dog, they may be attacked. A child is more likely to suffer injury to the face, head or neck, but injury may be sustained on the hands and arms as well. An adult may be bitten on the leg, arm, hand, or virtually anywhere depending upon the nature of the attack. If the attack is violent enough, the victim may suffer fatal injury. Find out more about your rights and how you can hold the dog owner responsible for their dog's actions. Contact Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Thomas Murphy today for a free consultation.