How to Find the Best Dog Bite Attorney in Philadelphia

After being seriously injured by a dog, you have to deal with the cost of your recovery, including lost wages and possibly having a permanent disability or disfigurement for life. However, Pennsylvania state law offers civil options for victims of aggressive canine attacks, including filing a personal injury lawsuit to recoup the damages you've suffered. 

But to successfully win your case, you need to have an extensive understanding of state law. This is why it is in your best interest to hire a Philadelphia dog bite attorney to represent you as soon as possible. Unfortunately, deciding who is best to handle your personal injury claim can be challenging. There are thousands of legal professionals to choose from that claim to have the services and experience you need to win your case. 

Below are some suggested factors to consider when deciding on an attorney to seek compensation on your behalf. 

Relevant Case Experience Is Crucial

Personal injury law covers civil actions where one party was negligent and caused damages to another. Many legal firms represent a broad range of injury cases that involve negligence. This reality makes it important that whoever you choose regularly handles dog bite cases in Philadelphia. Having this requirement will ensure work with someone aware of common injuries caused by such incidents and how they impact their clients' lives. 

Another reason why relevant case experience is vital is that your Philadelphia dog bite attorney knows how state law applies to your case circumstances. Pennsylvania doesn't rely on a "one bite" law in dog attack incidents and holds owners strictly liable in most circumstances. However, this only covers medical costs related to the incident. To recover additional damages like pain and suffering, you will have to prove the owner: 

• The owner was aware of their dog's vicious tendencies, and,
• Failed to control it adequately

This is known as negligence liability, and your lawyer must show the court that the owner violated these standards. Fortunately, state law is clear on what defines a dangerous dog:

• Will or has attacked people without provocation
• Causes severe, unprovoked injury
• Its attack was used to commit a crime
• Has hurt or killed other domestic animals
• Previous history of unprovoked attacks
• Shown an inclination for viciousness without provocation

Settlements and Awards Won for Their Clients

Any Philadelphia dog bite attorney you choose to represent your case should have a demonstrated history of winning jury awards and negotiating settlements successfully. You can verify this track record by researching testimonials from their previous clients who had similar lawsuits like your own. If there aren't any reviews available, or none involving dog bites, you should consider working with a different lawyer who does. 

You don't want to work with a law firm that processes high volumes of claims that get settled quickly with little to no effort. This high turnover can indicate that you won't receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. 

Also, keep in mind that not all the reviews and testimonials you find on their website are legitimate but bought. This is why you need to consider more than just their testimonials and track record when making a decision. 

Recognized by Professional Associations and Organizations

Another factor to consider when looking for a qualified Philadelphia dog bite attorney is their participation in professional groups and organizations. Have they received recognition or ratings by any of these associations? In particular, verify their membership with the state bar association at their online website. There you can see when your lawyer started practicing, what jurisdictions they are permitted to practice, along with any achievements they have been recognized for, and other important details. 

Finally, ask about any specialized memberships they have, as well, including trial attorney organizations. This experience could be beneficial should you need to take your case to trial instead of settling it.

Are They Realistic About Your Case Value? 

This question can give you important insight into the character of your prospective attorney. Dog bite case values are hard to predict because of the many factors that can impact the case, including:

• Severity of injuries
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement
• Cost of medical care
• Medical prognosis
• Previous history of aggressiveness by the dog
• Level of negligence involved
• Sharing of liability by both parties
• Location the attack to place
• And more

Another factor that impacts the value of your case is if the dog owner has an insurer that would cover the bite incident. This, too, can affect your final compensation amount depending on your attorney's ability to negotiate effectively on your behalf. If your prospective lawyer is giving you exact value amounts, be cautious about hiring them.

They Want You to Focus on Healing 

Any Philadelphia dog bite attorney you consider hiring should be focused on your well-being and best interests. This means ensuring you can focus on healing. Find a lawyer that has the resources to handle all aspects of your case. From rounding up documentation like medical records to handling all calls with the insurer, they should be able to take the many steps that go into a dog bite claim, so you don't have to. 

By taking this enormous burden off your shoulders, your health becomes a top priority and ensures you get the best positive outcome out of your entire personal injury case experience. 

They Are Upfront About Legal Fees

With your everyday bills piling up and taking on new medical expenses, the last thing you need right now is another debt. Quality personal injury attorneys that represent dog bite cases in Philadelphia should work on a contingency fee basis. This means they don't get paid a dime unless you win. Usually, when you agree to hire them, they will require a specified percentage of your final award amount to settle up your account. 

Consider going elsewhere if you interview an attorney who wants a retainer fee upfront or a monthly payment arrangement. They either don't have confidence in winning your case or don't want it to begin with. On the other hand, motivated attorneys will work hard to maximize your compensation because they will earn more when your case is complete. 

Also, make sure that any additional fees not included in their cut are clearly explained. This tip applies to the terms for payment, too, and should be listed in your contract. This could be postage costs, filing fees, and other expenses to be taken from your final award after their percentage comes out. Again, this isn't unusual; just make sure they are upfront about these out-of-pocket expenses.

Verify Who Will Personally Work Your Case

This is very important and could ultimately make your decision for you. It's not an uncommon practice for large firms to have an attorney handle initial consultations but then pass your case to another. They even use teams of people at times, including additional paralegals and support staff who aren't attorneys. While there isn't anything wrong with having extra hands on board to help with your lawsuit, knowing who is actually working on your case is essential.

Your dog bite was a traumatic experience, and having an attorney you can connect with is important. What if the lawyer you get assigned is too impersonal or lacks the level of empathy you want? This is why you should have your initial consultation with the legal professional that will represent you. 

Will They Go to Trial?

Many dog bite cases will get settled before ever filing a motion in civil court, but some do end up in front of a jury. When interviewing a Philadelphia dog bite attorney, don't hesitate to ask about their thoughts about going to trial. What situations would they deem necessary? What if you don't want to take a settlement offer? Will they go to court on your behalf anyway?

You also need to know their capabilities and experience presenting cases like yours to a jury. For example, if they settle 99% of the time, this could indicate they will pressure you to make a compensation offer that doesn't meet the scope of your injuries.