Dog Bite Lawyer in NYC
According to the American Humane Association there are an estimated 4.7 million dog bites happen every year in the United States. The New York State of Department of Health reports that 6,600 of these cases involve individuals under the age of 20. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you know how painful and traumatic it can be. The law for dog bites in the state is tricky, with strict liability and a “one bite” rule. This means the owner is liable if they knew or suspected the dog was dangerous and liable to bite someone. This knowledge is called “vicious propensities,” and can involve a number of behaviors exhibited by the animal. A dog with vicious propensities might have repeatedly growled at passerby’s or guests in a home, or even engaged in fights with other dogs. Incidents such as these are taken into account by the court when deciding on dog bite cases. To make sure that a negligent owner is help responsible it is important to contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in New York.
If the owner is found liable after their dog bites someone the owner is then responsible for a victim’s expenses. This includes medical bills, cosmetic surgery and lost income if the victim had to miss work due to the injury. Some victims may also seek punitive damages; a sum of “extra” money for a particularly negligent dog owner. One woman in New York sued for “loss of services,” which is the deprivation of a family member. She sought the damages after her nine-year-old was bitten by a dog and she was rewarded $4,500 (Graham ex rel. Graham v. Murphy 135 A.D.2d 326, 525 N.Y.S.2d 414) (1998). Due to the complex elements of a dog bite incident, you’re advised to consult a Dog Bite Lawyer in New York as quickly as possible.
After You Are Injured by a Dog Bite
If you or your loved one has suffered a dog bite you should seek immediate medical attention for the injury at an emergency room. An infection is a serious concern from dog bites which require medical care as soon as possible. You will want to next make a report with an animal control agency and the Department of Health. It is important that you make sure the dog is in fact an owned pet and not a stray animal. If it’s a stray animal you will need to take precautionary shots to protect you against potentially life threatening diseases. If its a pet, you will be able to retrieve the necessary medical history from the dog’s owner to find out if that’s necessary. It is important to document any relevant history and make contact with any potential witnesses to the incident. It could prove prudent to take photographs of the injury and surroundings of the accident. A physician may recommend additional medical precautions. After receiving proper medical attention, you should contact a dog bite lawyer in New York to make sure that the person responsible covers the cost of your grievances.
Contacting a Dog Bite Lawyer in New York
A dog bite lawyer in New York will help you decide whether you have a case against the dog owner and how to pursue it. After a complaint is made regarding a dog attack, courts can hold “dangerous dog hearings” to determine if a dog poses a threat to humans or other animals. Depending on the ruling and case, New York carries penalties of fines or one (1) year jail time for the owner if their dog attacks. The penalty depends on the severity of the injury, the incident and the court. Your dog bite attorney in New York can help you navigate the court process, retrieve records, and will be your number one advocate for justice after a dog bite.
