New York City Dog Bite Attorney

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While most dogs are friendly and nonviolent, seemingly harmless dogs can attack when scared or provoked. Unfortunately, dog attacks can leave victims with severe wounds, lingering mental trauma, and expensive medical bills.

In New York, pet owners can be financially liable for their injuries if their dog attacks them. The highly experienced New York City dog bite lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. has been helping clients with personal injury cases for three generations.

We are a nationally recognized personal injury firm with an extensive legal team of attorneys, nurses, paralegals, and support staff. We have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for injury victims, and our dog bite attorneys in New York stop at nothing when fighting for our clients. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

New York Dog Bite Laws

You could sue a dog’s owner in New York if you were injured by the dog, regardless of the dog’s prior history. However, if damaged, this only allows you to recover compensation for your medical expenses and your pet’s veterinary bills. To recover losses beyond this, you must show the dog’s owner knew it might be dangerous and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it from hurting someone.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can leave victims with severe injuries, including the following:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Puncture wounds
  • Injuries to the eye
  • Scarring of the skin
  • Disfigurement
  • Injuries to the head and neck
  • Psychological distress (nightmares, anxiety, depression, or PTSD)

You may be owed compensation if you’ve suffered injuries in a dog attack. A compassionate personal injury lawyer can help you determine liability and seek financial recovery for your dog bite injuries.

Liability in New York Dog Attacks

New York’s dog bite laws can be complicated, as there are different standards for holding pet owners liable depending on why you seek compensation. Pet owners are responsible for medical bills caused by “dangerous dogs.” For a dog to be deemed dangerous under New York law, it has to meet the following conditions:

  • It injured or killed a person, pet, or farm animal, or
  • It acted in a way that would cause a reasonable person to believe the dog posed a severe and imminent threat of injury or death.

To recover compensation aside from medical bills after being bitten by a dog, you must show the dog’s owner was negligent and failed to warn others that the dog may be dangerous. In this context, negligence means the dog’s owners failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from hurting someone. This is a higher standard of proof than strict liability, but a New York City dog bite lawyer can help collect the evidence needed to prove your case.

What To Do After Being Bitten By a Dog in New York City

To maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries, here’s what to do after a dog bite:

  • Report the incident — Call 911 and file a police report about the attack. You will likely need a written record to file a dog-bite lawsuit.
  • Identify the dog’s owner — To file a lawsuit after being bitten by a dog. You need to know who owns the dog. Hopefully, the dog has a collar and ID tag. If not, you may need other means to determine who owns the dog.
  • Document the attack — Take pictures of your injuries and where the attack occurred. Photographing the dog and looking for any nearby eyewitnesses is also a good idea.
  • Get medical treatment — Dog bites can cause severe injuries. There’s also a chance of rabies or infection. See a doctor as soon as possible to minimize the damage from your injuries.
  • Write down what happened — Document your account of what happened. Be as thorough as possible and include as many details as you remember. Your memory may fade in the days after the attack, but you can refer to your notes as the case progresses.
  • Talk to a lawyer — It is essential to act quickly after being bitten by a dog to give yourself the best chance of recovering compensation for your injuries. The sooner you talk to a dog bite attorney, the greater your chances of success are.

Compensation Available After a NY Dog Attack

If the dog who bit you is deemed dangerous and their owner was negligent, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Veterinary bills for any injured pets or farm animals
  • Lost wages while you were recovering from your injuries
  • Reduced future earning potential due to your injuries
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Any disfigurement caused by your injuries
  • The psychological distress caused by the attack

A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your medical bills and other expenses after a dog bite so you can seek compensation.

Talk to Our Highly Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers in New York City Today

If you were injured in a dog attack, you might be owed compensation for your dog bite injuries. The nationally recognized New York City dog bite attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C. are ready to provide top-tier service and assist you with your case. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.