Brooklyn Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

How Can a Brooklyn Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Help?

If you were bitten by a dog, you may have sustained life-changing injuries that can require ongoing medical treatment, including reconstructive surgery. If you’re unable to work or you missed a significant amount of work as you were recovering from your injuries, you must take legal action as soon as possible. At Parker Waichman LLP, our dog bite injury lawyers can help during this time, in many ways, including:

• Investigate the incident
• Gather evidence
• Contact animal control to learn whether the dog has a history of attacks
• Identify the dog’s owner
• Calculate damages
• File paperwork
• Handle all communication with the insurance company
• File a lawsuit, if necessary, and represent you in court

During this time, while you focus on your recovery, let an experienced dog bite injury lawyer on our legal team handle every aspect of your case and fight for your right to fair compensation.

Evidence that Can Strengthen Your Case

Important pieces of evidence that your attorney will gather to strengthen your case include:

Witness Statements

If anyone witnessed the attack, their statements can help support your claim, since their account of the incident can confirm the dog attacked you.

Medical Records

Your medical records will show the extent of your injuries and how much you’ve suffered.

Photos

Take photos of the dog, if possible, and the scene of the attack. If a dog escaped its yard and attacked you, take photos of the area where the dog was able to escape. 
Taking photos of your injuries can help prove the extent of your injuries and the damage caused by the dog bites. You should also take photos of your injuries daily, as you recover.

Dog Ownership Evidence

The dog’s owner is typically the party held responsible for the animal’s actions. If you’re not sure who owns the dog, your attorney can help you identify the owner.

Police Report

If you were attacked by a dog and contacted law enforcement, the police report the officer filled out at the time of the incident can be helpful when your attorney is negotiating with the insurance company. A police report includes details regarding the animal’s behavior, what happened, any statements the dog’s owner made, and other important details that can strengthen your case.

Dog Bite Liability

In some cases, the dog’s owner may not be the only party that can be held liable for your injuries and other losses. 

The following parties can be held liable for a dog bite incident:

• Owner
• Landlords
• The individual responsible for pet-sitting or watching the dog
• Property owners

An experienced dog bite injury lawyer can determine if you have a claim against multiple parties. Identifying all liable parties can help maximize your compensation.

NY Dog Bite Laws

State dog bite laws consist of a mixture of strict liability and the one-bite rule. One-bite rules can be complex. Typically, if it’s a dog’s first time biting someone, their owner will not be held liable for damages. 

In New York, the mixed liability laws apply as follows:

• The owner of the dog is strictly liable for the cost of medical treatment for any dog attack
• The owner of the dog is only liable for additional damages if they knew or should’ve known that their animal had a history of biting

While the dog’s owner can be held strictly liable for medical bills, it can be challenging to hold them responsible for additional damages. Dog owners are also held strictly liable if the incident involved a dangerous dog.

Dangerous Dog Laws in New York

The state defines dangerous dogs as:

• The dog attacks, injures, or kills a human or another animal
• The dog has acted aggressively, in a way that causes a reasonable person to believe the animal could cause imminent or serious harm

However, if there is justification for a dog acting aggressively or causing death or injury, the dog may not be considered dangerous.

Damages After a Dog Bite Incident

Regardless of whether a dog has attacked anyone in the past, the owner of the dog is strictly liable for medical bills. If the owner of the dog was negligent, or if the animal has a history of viciousness, the injured party may be entitled to additional compensation for the following types of damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of income
• Disability

• Emotional distress
• Reduced earning capacity
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

And more.

At Parker Waichman LLP, a Brooklyn dog bite injury lawyer on our legal team will focus on maximizing the verdict or settlement you secure.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

A dog attack can result in devastating injuries that can impact the victim’s life forever. A dog’s claws, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth can cause significant injuries, including:

• Puncture wounds
• Soft tissue damage
• Broken bones
• Evisceration
• Eye injuries
• Nerve damage
• Facial injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Injured ligaments and muscles
• Wrongful death

A dog attack can also cause emotional injuries, such as anxiety, distress, PTSD, depression, and more.

Contact Us Today

A dog bite can result in devastating, disfiguring injuries, PTSD, and significant financial burdens. If you were bitten by a dog in Brooklyn due to a negligent dog owner, the legal team at Parker Waichman LLP can help.Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer and learn how we can help you recover the compensation you’re owed.