Not every dog is “Man’s Best Friend.” Some animals are dangerous and unpredictable. According to the CDC, there were 354,275 reported dog bite injuries in 2017 alone. More than one-quarter of these victims were children under 14. Even more disturbing is that 20% of dog bite victims need medical attention. Do not take a dog bite injury lightly, discuss the matter with an attorney.
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Personal Injury Laws
Dog bites in New York are generally not minor injuries and usually result in severe lacerations, puncture wounds, fractures, and infections. Your physical and financial losses may be considerable, and the emotional trauma from vicious dog attacks are equally as prominent. These circumstances are stressful, and every situation is different. That makes it essential to contact an experienced and highly skilled New York dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one was injured in a dog attack, our New York personal injury lawyers with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. can provide the support you need. There are multiple ways under the law to secure the compensation you or your loved need from negligent pet owners, those in control of an animal, property owners, or businesses. But, every situation is unique, and there are also complex laws and liability rules that could affect your rights. With decades of experience and a record of success with dog bite claims, we will thoroughly investigate the incident, identify all the relevant parties, and aggressively fight for the full and fair compensation that you deserve.
Dog bite injuries and animal attacks should never be ignored or minimalized. Contact us today at 212-490-5700 or online. We offer free consultations, never charge up-front legal fees, and you owe nothing unless we win you compensation.
New York Dog Bite Liability
It is possible to recover financial compensation for your pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages by demonstrating negligence. You need to show that the dog in question was vicious, and the owner knew or should have known about its dangerous propensities. If the animal had attacked in the past, rises up to greet visitors, or demonstrated other vicious properties, the dog owner may be held liable.
Also, you can pursue a financial recovery for negligence if the owner violated a state, county, or municipal statute regarding dogs. Aside from the NYC dog leash law, there are other statutes on keeping animals securely confined. A violation can be used as evidence to support your claim that the owner recklessly disregarded their duty to others, and that neglect led to your dog bite injuries.
As you can see, dog bite laws in New York are complicated, and there are multiple theories of liability to consider. If you or a loved one have been bitten because you feel an owner was negligent, contact a New York dog bite lawyer today. We have the experience to interpret the law and how these concepts apply to your claim. When necessary, we will promptly investigate what happened and advise on your best route towards obtaining compensation.
Dog Bite Injury Compensation
The first factor in determining monetary damages in a dog bite case in New York is the nature and extent of your injuries. In many cases, surgery or other significant medical procedures are necessary to treat your injuries. For example:
- A dog bite could be powerful enough to cause a bone fracture;
- A dog bite on the face, lip, or head could require cosmetic surgery; and,
- Even relatively moderate dog bites may require stitches, scarring, and disfigurement.
You may be entitled to recover compensation for these medical expenses. You should also note that dog bites are highly prone to infection. It’s possible to seek additional damages when you need treatment for diseases commonly associated with dog bite wounds, like rabies, tetanus, and MRSA.
Beyond your immediate medical costs, you can recover other forms of compensation if you have a case for negligence. You may be eligible to receive monetary damages for:
- Ongoing medical care
- Mental health care expenses
- Other injury-related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of normal life
Things Dog Bite Victims Need to Know
Though your dog attack lawyer will handle all the legal details, there are some issues you should keep in mind as a victim. First, New York’s statute of limitations usually allows you three years from the date of the incident to pursue litigation. If you don’t file a claim or personal injury lawsuit in court within this time frame, you are likely barred from seeking compensation.
There are also multiple defenses a dog owner may raise to defeat your claim, including:
- You were trespassing upon someone else’s property when the dog bit you;
- You were tormenting, provoking, or abusing the animal before it attacked;
- The dog’s actions were a response to pain or injury; or,
- The dog was protecting its owner or offspring.
You should discuss such issues with a dog bite lawyer in NYC, as attorneys are knowledgeable regarding potential strategies to counter these defenses.
A New York Dog Bite Lawyer Can Explain Your Rights
You owe it to yourself to take any dog bite seriously. These can be painful, traumatic, and may lead to more harm than you initially believe. We recommend calling us at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. right away. Dog bite claims are often more complicated than most people realize. You frequently have to navigate between state and local laws as well as the pet owner’s various insurance policies, which can be stressful and contentious.
Our dog bite lawyers have helped many individuals in situations a lot like yours, are well- prepared to communicate with the insurers, and know what it takes to obtain you fair compensation.
Let us answer your questions and fight to set things right. Contact us online or call 212-490-5700. We offer free consultations, never charge fees up-front, and you owe nothing until we recover compensation for you.
CLIENT REVIEWS
05/01/2015
“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike, HKD CLIENT
05/01/2015
“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…
5
Steven, HKD CLIENT
06/05/2019
I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…
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Anonymous, HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike W., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…
5
Steven B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…
5
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07/05/2015
I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.
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Eric G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…
5
Ryan G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
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Michael R., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.
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Peter M., HKD CLIENT