If you’re bitten by someone’s dog, it’s possible that you have a personal injury claim. Bites can cause serious injuries, and the financial costs caused by an attack could be considerable. Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve after a dog bite. Our firm has years of experience helping injured New Yorkers in personal injury cases. We’ve helped our clients recover millions in settlements.
Call us at (212) 490-5700 or use our online form to request a free initial consultation. We don’t charge anything upfront, and you won’t owe us anything unless you recover compensation.
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Personal Injury Laws
What Are New York’s Dog Bite Laws?
Not every dog will bite someone, but there’s a chance they may attack, especially if they feel threatened. Under New York law, a dog owner could be held responsible for injuries their animal causes if those dogs have displayed a vicious propensity. This means if the dog behaved aggressively in the past, there’s a chance that the owner can be held responsible for an attack.
You might be able to sue a dog owner after their dog hurts you. You must show the dog owner knew their animal could attack, even if that owner tried to restrain the animal. A dog could be considered vicious if it attacks without justification or provocation. If someone feels threatened by a dog’s actions, that animal could be considered vicious. Dog owners can be strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause, meaning they’d be responsible for property damage or pain and suffering caused by the bite.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we understand how traumatic an animal attack can be, especially if the victim is a child. Our experienced and knowledgeable dog bite lawyers are ready to hear your story, investigate your circumstances, and guide you through your legal options. Our firm has decades of experience and we’ve helped our clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars. We know what it takes to win a dog bite claim. We’re ready to help you recover the damages you deserve.
Liability in New York Dog Bites
To recover compensation after a dog bite, you’ll need to demonstrate the dog owner’s negligence or show that the owner violated a dog-related law. These can be related.
You must prove the dog was vicious and that the owner was aware of these tendencies. A dangerous dog could be a dog that injures a person, an animal, or a companion animal. A dog might be labeled dangerous if it poses a credible threat, or if it attacks without provocation in a way that kills or injures a person or animal.
A dog could be considered dangerous if it has attacked in the past, risen up to greet visitors, or exhibited other vicious behaviors. If a dog acts dangerously and causes an injury, their owner could be held liable for those damages.
A claim could be pursued if you can show that a dog owner violated a state, county, or municipal statute. For instance, New York City’s leash law states that a person cannot take their dog into a public space or unfenced area without a leash or chain shorter than six feet long. A dog owner ignoring laws like this one could be found negligent and liable for damages their dog causes.
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
Dog Bite FAQs
Dog bite cases can be complicated. These are some of the most common questions related to a dog bite claim, but we’re more than happy to answer any other questions you have if you don’t find the answers here.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
Under New York’s statute of limitations, you typically have three years after your accident to pursue litigation. You could lose your chance at recovering compensation if you don’t file a personal injury claim or a lawsuit in court before that deadline runs out.
Are There Exceptions to Dog Bite Cases?
It’s possible that a dog owner could use a defense to avoid paying you for your injuries. Some defenses include:
- 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.
Each case is unique, so you should discuss your circumstances with a NYC dog bite lawyer. They can help clarify your situation and help you identify a path towards compensation.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help My Claim?
Personal injury claims can be complicated. A dog bite case can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to physically recover. A personal injury lawyer can help you keep track of your case and negotiate with insurers. A lawyer can investigate your case, find evidence to support your claim, and handle the legal aspects of your case. If you’ve been hurt by a dog, you deserve compensation to help you recover physically and financially.
Safety Tips To Remember Around Dogs
The New York State Department of Health recommends following these tips to avoid a dog attack, but remember that these attacks can happen unprovoked.
- Get an owner’s permission before petting a dog, and then approach it carefully.
- Try not to startle the dog.
- Don’t tease, provoke, or aggravate the dog.
- Don’t pet dogs while they’re playing with a toy.
- Don’t pet dogs in containers, behind fences, or in vehicles, as they may feel territorial.
- Don’t sneak up on a dog while it’s sleeping or eating.
- Avoid angry or unfamiliar dogs. Keep children away from dogs if the owner isn’t present.
- Watch for signs the dog is angry: raised fur, bared teeth, ears back, or stiff body language.
- Do not run from dogs, and don’t yell at them.
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.
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08/11/2021
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06/22/2021
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03/01/2021
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02/25/2021
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02/23/2021
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02/23/2021
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01/29/2021
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01/19/2021
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01/15/2021
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01/14/2021
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01/06/2021
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12/29/2020
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12/28/2020
Mr. Ross Raggio and his team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., provided excellent legal services. His team and him were absolutely great, always returning calls or emails when we had questions about the case. Always very cordial, caring and…
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12/11/2020
My wife and i are very grateful to Mr. Jordan Hecht for his sincere compassion and legal assistance during one of the most challenging time in our lives. He was extremely professional and answered all of our concerns. Mr. Hecht…
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12/10/2020
Very professional and very responsive. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of an attorney. The attorney Ross Raggio, who was personally assigned to my case consistently followed through and was able to bring the case to…
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12/08/2020
Mr. Ross Raggio went above and beyond to settle my case during the height of the pandemic, a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed slim. He was responsive and professional, and was…
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12/07/2020
I was a sole practitioner specializing in personal injury law in NYC for more than 36 years. When I decided to retire, I had to make several critical decisions before terminating my practice. To whom should I refer my clients…
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12/07/2020
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12/04/2020
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12/03/2020
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12/03/2020
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12/02/2020
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12/02/2020
I came to know the firm through my relationship with one of the partners, Jordan Hecht. Jordan and I became close friends in law school. I have since referred several cases to Jordan and his firm ranging from a mesothelioma…
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12/02/2020
From the moment that I contacted this Law firm and got assigned Mr. Ross. They have been nothing but helpful, Especially Mr. Ross. In the time that Mr. Ross took my case, it took him 3 months to a get…
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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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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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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…
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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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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…
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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…
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07/05/2015
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06/05/2019
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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…
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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…
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