Legal Question in Personal Injury in Pennsylvania

Dog Attack on 9 year old

My 9 year old stepson had his lips torn viciously by the neighbors dog. The dog was lying out of sight when he went to get something from the yard, there was no gate or fence between our yards. I rode in the amb. with him to hospital where the tears were called ''complex'' and a cosmetic surgeon stiched his lips and area just under the nostril. It was a total of about 115 stitches. I saw a well known lawyer in our town, the consultation was free, and he said that we could do nothing with our case. We left the case along for years. Thru time I realize that his rights were violated, and the lawyer did nothing to help us. Can we pursue a successful suit? and get some compensation for his pain and suffering? He is 20 years old now. We (he) does not expect to collect a million dollars but some reasonable amount. 1. The yard was accessable-no gates or anything separating our back doors.(Row houses) 2. the dog was hidden from sight of boy 3. The dog was vicious by nature ( a pit-mastif mix) 4. The extent of lacerations needing a plastic/facial surgeon, the use of 115 stitches I think that I need to be careful now because, although I never got a ''second Opinion'' so I have been doing some footwork of my own. Thanks for any help


Asked on 3/09/06, 8:04 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Richard Teitell Richard K. Teitell, Esquire, P.C.

Re: Dog Attack on 9 year old

You had until your your son's 20th birthday to file a law suit. It appears that date has passed. Unfortunately he will not be able to pursue a claim against the dog owner. However, if the lawyer you consulted did not advise you of the time limitation, you may have a legal malpractice claim.

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Answered on 3/10/06, 3:21 pm
CHARLES WEINER Law Office of Charles Weiner

Re: Dog Attack on 9 year old

At this point in time, it appears that the statute of limitations would preclude an action to recover damages. The limitations period for personal injury is two years. For a minor, the two year period begins to run upon reaching the age of majority (age 18).

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Answered on 3/09/06, 9:23 pm


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