Dog bite injury

Dog Bite Injury Law Firm

How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?

If you were attacked by a dog and suffered injuries, the legal team at Parker Waichman LLP can help prove the dog owner’s negligence resulted in the incident and hold them financially responsible for your damages. 

While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our legal team will take on the negligent owner and their insurance company, fighting for the fair compensation you deserve.

Other ways a dog bite injury attorney on our legal team can help include:

• Investigating the incident
• Identifying the dog’s owner
• Obtaining dog vaccination records and medical history
• Determining whether the dog has a history of biting or attacking people or other animals
• Obtaining a copy of the police report
• Gathering evidence
• Interviewing any witnesses
• Assessing damages
• Filing paperwork
• Handling all communication with the insurance company or defense attorney
• Negotiating a fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
• Representing you in court

Dog bites can result in severe injuries that can require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. If you were attacked by a dog and sustained injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. At Parker Waichman LLP, our dog bite injury lawyers can investigate the incident and build a strong case to hold the negligent dog owner financially responsible for the harm you have suffered.

How to Pursue Compensation After a Dog Bite Incident

Whether you’re entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages will depend on state laws, where the incident took place, and other factors.

Florida

Florida is a strict liability state. Dog owners can be held liable for any injuries an individual suffered by their dog, including lost wages and medical bills. If the individual suffered life-changing injuries, such as loss of limb or scarring and disfigurement, they can pursue compensation for those damages, if they were lawfully in a private place or the attack occurred in a public place.

The owner of the dog will be held liable for your damages if:

• Their animal bites another person
• The dog bite victim was lawfully in a private place or in a public place
• If the dog bite victim was trespassing, the owner may not be liable for the injured party’s damages.

New York

In terms of liability laws, New York is a mixed state. If an animal has been deemed dangerous, the animal’s owner can be held strictly liable for the injured party’s damages. If the dog was not deemed dangerous before the incident, the dog’s owner can still be held liable for damages. For example, if the owner did not contain their dog in a secure enclosure or the dog was off leash and bit someone, the injured party has a right to pursue compensation.

Minor and Severe Dog Bite Injuries

A dog bite can result in broken skin, and severe bruising, or in some cases, the injuries can be life-changing or even fatal. Some examples of dog bite injuries our legal team has seen over the years include:

• Puncture wounds
• Bruising
• Crush injuries
• Loss of limb
• Infection
• Broken bones/bone fractures
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Torn ligaments and tendons
• Disfigurement
• Loss of mobility or function
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Muscle wounds

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack

If you were bitten by a dog, there are certain steps you can take that will protect your health and strengthen your claim.

If you were attacked by a dog, follow the steps below:

• Go to a safe area. If possible, leave the area where the attack occurred. If the bite took place in a public space, seek shelter immediately, moving to the nearest area that separates you from the animal.
• Cleanse the wound. If you’re able to tend to the wound, do so immediately, rinsing the area with soap and water.
• Seek medical care. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries sustained in animal attacks can be life-threatening. Additionally, an untreated dog bite can quickly result in a serious infection.
• Contact the animal’s owner. If you know the dog’s owner, contact them immediately to notify them of the incident and to obtain proof of vaccination. If you were not able to locate the animal’s owner or the dog was a stray, contact the local animal control agency or law enforcement to report the attack. 
• Contact a dog bite injury lawyer. A dog bite can lead to a serious injury, depending on the location of the bite, and may result in significant scarring and disfigurement. Contact a dog bite injury lawyer at Parker Waichman LLP as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options and rights.
• Even if you were attacked by a family member or friend’s dog, the owner should still be held responsible for your medical treatment and other damages. Our dog bite injury lawyers can help guide you through this complex legal process and ensure you recover the compensation you’re owed.

Contact Us Today

A dog attack can have lasting effects, may require extensive ongoing medical treatment, and can prevent you from returning to work and participating in the activities you once enjoyed. If you were involved in a dog bite incident and you suffered injuries and other damages, the legal team at Parker Waichman LLP can help.