Suffering a dog bite injury can be traumatic. Often, the victim is left with disfiguring scars and emotional distress. It is not uncommon for victims to be afraid of dogs after the attack. While some dog bites are minor and heal quickly, others are severe enough to require extended hospital stays, skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and extended physical therapy. A dog bite injury can affect many aspects of life.
If a dog in North Bellmore bit you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A North Bellmore personal injury Lawyer at Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers L.L.P. will fight on your behalf and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
- Recoverable Damages After a Dog Bite
- What a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do for You?
- What Are the Laws for Dog Bites?
- You Have a Limited Amount of Time to Act
- Hire a Lawyer Today
Recoverable Damages After a Dog Bite
If you suffered a dog bite in North Bellmore, you might be entitled to the following recoverable damages.
Medical Expenses
The costs associated with getting treatment for a dog bite can be pretty high and can add up over time.
Medical expenses include treating your injuries at the emergency room, doctor’s follow-up visits, and any future medical care you may need as a result of the dog bite. Other medical expenses include therapies and mental health treatment.
Lost Wages
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may lose significant time from work during the recovery period. Our attorneys will fight for compensation for the loss of wages lost due to dog bites.
Permanent Impairments
Some dog bite victims are left with scars or disabilities that never disappear. You may be entitled to compensation for your diminished quality of life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Injuries from a dog attack—especially facial wounds—can affect how you relate to other people socially and in intimate relationships.
Also, scars caused by dog bites can be permanent reminders of a frightening event. They may also affect how others perceive you. An attorney can help you receive compensation to make up for this loss.
Pain and Suffering
The physical pain of being seriously injured in a dog attack can be overwhelming. Victims may also suffer emotional trauma during the incident.
Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate victims for their physical and emotional distress related to their injuries. Your lawyer can calculate the amount of compensation that is consistent with damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite lawyer serving North Bellmore, call 516-932-0400
What a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do for You?
Your lawyer will do the following to build a strong case on your behalf:
Investigate Your Case
Your lawyer will investigate your case to determine its value and identify all liable parties. This includes obtaining copies of any relevant police reports, interviewing witnesses who may have witnessed the incident, and canvassing for surveillance video that may have captured the event.
A dog bite lawyer from Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers, L.L.P. will work with medical experts and other professionals to maximize the value of your claim.
Prove Liability
Under New York law, dog owners can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets.
Your lawyer will demonstrate that the dog’s owner was negligent and should be held accountable for your injuries.
Push for Compensation
Insurance companies can take advantage of dog bite victims. They can offer low settlement or allege that the victim was liable for the dog bite and do not deserve compensation.
A dog bite lawyer will deal with insurance adjusters and make sure that you receive a fair settlement for your dog bite injuries.
North Bellmore Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
What Are the Laws for Dog Bites?
The North Bellmore dog bite attorneys at Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers L.L.P will give you a rundown of the dog bite laws.
Lease Law Violation
If you were bitten on another person’s private property and the owner knew about their dog’s violent tendencies, (i.e., “vicious propensities”,) they could be held liable for failing to prevent the attack.
Owner Negligence
Under New York law, if a dog bites you while lawfully on public or private property, you have the right to recover damages from the dog owner.
If you or your child were bit by a neighbor’s dog while walking on the sidewalk, you could sue that neighbor. To prevail, you would need to prove that the owner was negligent by failing to control their animal.
Under applicable law, a dog owner may not be held responsible unless they knew or should have known that their pet had vicious propensities—which would cause them to act aggressively towards people or other animals.
A Vicious Animal
Someone who owns a vicious animal is strictly liable for the injuries that the animal inflicts on another. The injured person must prove that the owner knew or should have known that the dog would likely cause harm if they wish to pursue damages under this statute.
Strict Liability
New York is a strict liability state for dog bites—if a dog bites someone, the owner is presumed to be liable for the injuries caused. A victim has to prove that the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s propensity to bite.
However, in New York, the owner is only responsible if the victim was not trespassing or teasing, tormenting, and abusing the dog.
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You Have a Limited Amount of Time to Act
According to New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214, you have only three years from the date the dog bite happened to file a lawsuit. If you can’t reach a settlement with the insurance company and decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, you must do so within that time frame. If you miss the deadline, you lose your opportunity to seek compensation.
A lawyer who is familiar with dog bite cases in North Bellmore will make sure you meet all the deadlines required by the state.
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Hire a Lawyer Today
Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers L.L.P. has almost a century of experience helping dog bite victims recover compensation. We put our legal skills and resources to work for you. We will investigate your case, determine who’s at fault, and fight for the maximum compensation available under the law.
Contact a North Bellmore dog bite lawyer today for a free consultation. Call to speak with a member of our team.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form