New York Dog Bite Lawyer

Were you or someone you love bit or attacked by a dog in New York? Find out how an experienced New York dog bite lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Dogs may be considered man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean that they’re always well-trained or friendly. If you or someone you love was the victim of a dog bite, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Our law firm provides free consultations with a dedicated New York dog bite lawyer.

What New York Law Says About Dog Bites

New York law says that regardless of a dog’s history of aggressive behavior or previous attacks, the owner may be liable for the dog bite. However, the State of New York also looks at the circumstances surrounding the event. This includes whether the dog was provoked, if the owner knew or should have known that the dog has an aggressive nature, and whether the owner took any reasonable precautions to prevent the attack. Read Our FREE Dog Bite Guide New York’s Agriculture & Markets Law § 121.10 says that the owner of the dog or the custodian of the dog is strictly liable only for medical expenses associated with the actions of a dangerous dog. If you’re bitten, a New York dog bite lawyer can help you determine whether the animal may meet the state’s qualification of being dangerous. Dogs are considered dangerous if they attack a person or another animal without justification and that attack causes an injury. However, if a dog bites a person or another animal after being provoked, the dog’s owner or custodian may have several defenses they can use if the victim sues:

• The dog was protecting its home from a trespasser, someone who was not invited onto the property, or who was entering the property to commit a crime.
• The dog was protecting its owner or its own puppies.
• The dog reacted to pain or suffering it experienced.
• The dog was tormented, abused, or assaulted by the person it bit.

Pain and Suffering

Dog bites can cause significant physical pain and disfigurement. They can also cause serious and lifelong fears to develop in children and adults. If you believe that you or your loved one may have a claim for pain and suffering or emotional damage, you should schedule a free consultation with our New York dog bite lawyer to discuss the facts surrounding your case. Pain and suffering, as well as compensation for emotional damage is only awarded if it can be proven that the dog has a demonstrated history of attacking others and that the owner knew the dog was vicious.

What You Should Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog

Dog bites can be extremely serious. Even if the bite doesn’t require stitches, it can still become infected. If the dog is rabid or the owner cannot prove that the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccine, you may have to undergo a series of painful rabies shots to protect your health. If you’re bitten by a dog in New York, do the following:

1. Get immediate medical attention. If you’re bleeding and believe that you may need stitches, get emergency medical attention. Medical attention is important regardless of the severity of the dog bite because it creates a record of the attack and can stop the bite from getting infected.
2. Find out who owns the dog. This isn’t always possible. If you have to call 911 for your dog bite, the police will also be dispatched. Let the dispatcher know that you were bitten by a dog and give them a description. They may also send animal control. The police or animal control can help find the owner or custodian of the animal. You can ask others who live in the neighborhood about the dog.
3. Take pictures. Use your smartphone to take photos of the dog (if you can), the owner (if you find them or if they are present), and your injuries.
4. Write down what happened as soon as you can. Don’t wait for days or weeks to do this. You need to document what happened as soon as you can. You should include a description of the dog, where the dog bite happened, the injuries you received, and information about the owner or custodian of the dog. You can also document the names and contact information for any witnesses.
5. Keep a record of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the dog bite. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to receive reimbursement from the dog owner’s home owner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in New York, please contact an experienced New York dog bite lawyer as soon as you can. You only have three years from the date of the bite to file a claim. During your free consultation, we will explain whether you have a valid claim and what steps you should take next to protect your rights. Read Our FREE Dog Bite Guide