Why Do Most Dog Bites Happen?
A dog bite or dog attack can happen at any place or at any time. In addition to physical injuries, an attack can also leave the victim traumatized for months or even years after the incident occurs. At Parker Waichman LLP, our Queens dog bite injury attorneys understand the lasting effects these incidents can have on the victim, physically, emotionally, and financially. They also understand how important it is to help victims recover the compensation they deserve for the harm they have suffered.
Our team of experienced dog bite attorneys has found that many of these incidents occur because the owner of the animal failed to take steps to secure or supervise the animal. While the dog’s owner will not be held liable for their dog’s first attack, aside from the victim’s medical bills, they will be held financially responsible for other damages if their animal attacks someone a second time. If the owner was aware that their dog was dangerous and has acted aggressively in the past and failed to take the necessary precautions to prevent harm to an individual or another animal in the future, a dog bite injury lawyer at our law firm will work tirelessly to build a strong case and help you recover the compensation you’re owed.
How Can a Queens 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.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Injuries?
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:
- Pet 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 ensure you recover every penny of compensation you’re owed.
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.
.svg){kind=small}
.avif)
.avif)