Absolutely. If you got bitten by a raccoon or bat on someone else’s property in Philadelphia, you can hold that property owner accountable when they knew about a wildlife problem and did nothing to fix it. Since 1994, I’ve represented people across the city who suffered serious wildlife bites in Manayunk, West Philly, South Philly, and other neighborhoods near Fairmount Park.
These cases keep happening in 2026 because raccoons and bats remain the top rabies carriers that Pennsylvania health officials deal with every single year. Knowing how to choose the best premises liability attorney in Philadelphia for a wildlife bite case matters because these claims are different from typical dog bite cases. With dog bites, the owner is obvious. With wildlife, you have to prove the property owner created or ignored the conditions that let the animal get inside.
My firm has six attorneys who focus on animal-related injuries, and we’ve secured hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients when the evidence showed negligence. Most people don’t think about wildlife getting into their home or workplace until it happens. Then the question becomes: who was responsible for preventing it?
Why these bites are urgent
Rabies remains a serious issue in Pennsylvania. Raccoons and bats lead the state’s rabies investigations each year. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. The only protection is a fast series of shots called post exposure prophylaxis. Treatment must begin right away.
If a bite happens, the person needs to go to the ER immediately. Treatment can cost between $2,500 and $7,000 or more, but delaying treatment could be life threatening.
When a property owner is liable
Liability comes down to one question. Did someone ignore a problem that made the bite predictable? When that answer is yes, the injured person may have a claim. The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore sees these situations most often.
Landlords with known bat issues. Tenants report noises in walls or sightings in hallways. Complaints are ignored. A bat bites someone in a bedroom. That is negligence.
Owners who let trash pile up. Raccoons tear open garbage repeatedly. Nothing changes. A visitor is bitten. That is negligence.
Businesses with gaps or openings in the structure. Bats nest in a warehouse roof with visible holes. Employees complain. No repairs are made. Someone is bitten. This can involve liability and workers compensation.
Bad wildlife removal work. A contractor removes the animals but never seals the openings. The animals return. A tenant is bitten later. Both the owner and the contractor may share responsibility.
Each example involves a predictable risk. Someone knew or should have known. Nothing changed. Someone was injured.
What to do right away
Go to the ER without delay.
If safe, try to identify the animal. Philadelphia Animal Care and Control can help with testing. Their number is 267-385-3800.
Take photos of the bite and the location. Look for holes in walls, broken screens, or trash piles. These details may become important evidence.
Notify the property owner in writing to create a record.
Save all bills and appointment slips. Rabies treatment requires several visits.
Contact a lawyer before speaking with insurance. Wildlife bite claims are often denied.
What rabies treatment involves
Treatment begins with rabies immune globulin (HRIG) injected around the bite. This is followed by a vaccine series on days zero, three, seven, and fourteen. Many people also need a tetanus shot and antibiotics. If the injured person is paid hourly, each visit may mean lost wages. These losses are part of the claim.
Many people do not think about rabies until they find themselves in an ER late at night hearing what the next steps will be. Documentation helps show the full impact of the injury.
Why insurance fights these claims
Insurance companies often claim that wildlife is an act of nature. The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore focuses on proving that the issue was negligence. Insurers may try to blame the victim and say the animal was provoked. Normal use of a property is not provocation. Insurers may also claim they had no knowledge of the problem. Past complaints, photos of openings, and signs of infestation can show otherwise.
Wildlife cases resolve when evidence proves that the risk was obvious and ignored.
Tenant rights in Philadelphia
Landlords must provide safe and habitable housing. Bat infestations and raccoon issues violate that duty. If complaints are ignored, tenants should keep records. Tenants can also contact the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections for documentation that may support the case.
How The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore helps
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore has handled unusual premises liability cases in Philadelphia for more than thirty years. This includes wildlife bites and dog bites throughout the city. The firm examines what the owner knew, what the owner should have known, and how the conditions created the danger. When a clear risk is ignored, the responsible party should pay the medical bills.
Common questions about raccoon and bat bites in Philadelphia
Can I sue my landlord if a bat bit me in my apartment?
Yes. If the landlord knew or should have known about a bat problem and failed to fix it, the injured person may have a claim. Report the issue and see a doctor right away.
What if a raccoon bit me in someone’s backyard?
There may be a claim if the property owner knew raccoons were a problem and took no action. Trash issues are a common warning sign.
Do I need shots if the bat did not break the skin?
Call a doctor immediately. Bat teeth are very small. People often sleep through a bite. If someone wakes up with a bat in the room, doctors often recommend treatment unless the bat tests negative.
Getting help with a wildlife bite claim
If a raccoon or bat bit someone in Philadelphia and the property owner refuses to take responsibility, contact 1-800-CANT-WORK or visit https://www.1800CANTWORK.com. The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore will review the facts and explain the next steps.
This is general information and not legal advice.
