Dog Bite Attorneys in Reading, PA

When a dog attack leaves you injured, the question isn’t just whether you have a case. It’s whether you have an attorney who knows how to build one. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, every attorney, every case, and every hour of work is devoted to wrongful injury and death claims. No real estate closings, no business contracts. Just injured people and the pursuit of what they’re owed. Our four attorneys bring more than 115 combined years of wrongful injury litigation to Berks County, and we’ve been doing it since 1959.

Your initial consultation is free. We don’t charge fees or advance case expenses until we recover money for you. That applies to every client and every case.

If you or a family member was attacked by a dog in Reading, our attorneys are ready to review your case. Call Liever, Hyman & Potter today at (610) 885-1991 to schedule your free consultation.

How Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law Determines What You Can Recover

Pennsylvania’s Dog Law creates a two-tier system that surprises many bite victims. Under strict liability, a dog owner is automatically responsible for all medical expenses resulting from a bite, regardless of whether the dog ever bit before or whether the owner had any warning. There is no “one-bite rule” in Pennsylvania.

Strict liability, however, covers only medical costs. Recovering compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, scarring, disfigurement, or emotional trauma requires proving the owner was negligent. That typically means showing the owner knew the dog had vicious tendencies and failed to control it, or that the owner violated Pennsylvania’s leash and restraint law (3 P.S. §459-305), which requires dogs to be kept under control when off the owner’s property.

Two defenses appear frequently: provocation by the victim and trespassing at the time of the attack. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule can reduce or eliminate recovery if the victim is found partly at fault. A victim found more than 50 percent responsible may not recover at all. Dogs classified as “dangerous” under Pennsylvania law trigger additional civil liability, mandatory insurance, and registration requirements for the owner.

Pennsylvania law also sets a two-year deadline to file a lawsuit under the statute of limitations (42 Pa. C.S. §5524). Missing that window generally bars recovery entirely, which is why prompt action matters.

Injuries & Damages in a Dog Bite Case

Dog attacks cause injuries that range from puncture wounds and lacerations to nerve damage, bone fractures, scarring, and disfigurement. Some victims require surgery, reconstructive procedures, or long-term rehabilitation. Infection risk is serious: cellulitis, staph infections, and in rare cases, necrotizing fasciitis can develop quickly if a bite isn’t treated immediately.

Children are among the most frequent and most seriously hurt victims. Because of their height, they often sustain facial and head injuries that carry lasting consequences. Psychological harm is also real. PTSD, persistent anxiety, and fear of animals are documented outcomes from severe attacks.

Under Pennsylvania law, compensable damages can include medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and disfigurement, provided negligence is established for non-medical losses. When a dog attack results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the owner.

Why Dog Bite Victims Turn to Liever, Hyman & Potter

In a recent three-year period alone, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements for wrongful injury victims. Since our founding in 1959, we’ve won thousands of recoveries for clients throughout Berks and Schuylkill County, more than any other firm located in this area. That volume reflects consistent, focused civil litigation work across decades.

Lead attorney John R. Badal was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and has devoted his entire legal career to representing wrongful injury victims. He was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991 and holds national recognition as a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, memberships tied to documented results at those dollar thresholds. He has served as Chairman of the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association.

A significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members familiar with our record. That’s how we earned recognition as “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.” Every case we accept is assigned to a Civil Trial attorney qualified to handle it.

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack

What you do in the hours and days after an attack can affect the strength of your claim. Seek medical attention right away, even if the injury seems minor. Dog bites can become infected quickly, and medical records created at the outset are central to any case.

Report the bite to local animal control or police to establish an official record of the incident and the dog’s identity and history. At the scene, gather the owner’s name, contact information, and insurance details if you can. Photograph your injuries and the location of the attack as soon as possible.

Don’t give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company, and don’t sign any release before speaking with an attorney. Early settlement offers are typically well below the full value of a claim. An attorney can investigate the dog’s bite history, gather witness statements, and build the negligence case necessary to pursue compensation beyond medical expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Recover If the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?

Yes. Pennsylvania’s strict liability rule applies to medical expenses regardless of the dog’s history. For damages beyond medical costs, prior aggressive behavior is relevant, but a prior bite isn’t required. What matters is what the owner knew about the dog’s tendencies and whether they took reasonable steps to control it.

What If the Dog Belongs to a Friend, Family Member, or Neighbor?

Claims in these situations are typically made against the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not directly against that person’s personal finances. That distinction often makes pursuing a claim more practical when the dog’s owner is someone you know.

What If I Was Partly at Fault?

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule allows recovery as long as the victim isn’t more than 50 percent at fault. Ordinary interaction with a dog, including petting it, doesn’t constitute provocation. The threshold is active conduct that would reasonably be expected to trigger a defensive or aggressive reaction.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law generally allows two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. Acting promptly preserves evidence, protects witness recollections, and keeps all legal options open.

Start with a Free Consultation

You don’t need to figure out whether you have a case before you call. That’s what the consultation is for. Tell us what happened, and we can carefully review the facts and advise you on your options, at no cost to you.

We don’t charge fees and we don’t ask you to cover case expenses until we recover money on your behalf. There’s no financial commitment in making that first call. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter at (610) 885-1991 to speak with a dog bite attorney in Reading and Berks County.