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Animal & Dog Bites
How We can Help
More than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs on an annual basis and approximately one out of every six bites are serious enough to require medical attention. On average 20-25 people die each year from dog attacks. The majority of the victims are children and the majority of the children are bitten in the face. Owners of dogs, may be responsible when bites or attacks occur. If you have suffered injuries after being bitten or attacked by a dog or another animal, it is important to know your legal rights.
Your ability to recover compensation depends on where you were bitten or attacked, as laws concerning animal and dog bites vary between states, counties and cities. Call us to discuss your situation. The consultation is FREE.
In New York you must prove that a dog (or other animal) has vicious propensities. Vicious propensity may be evidenced by a prior biting incident, the animal’s demeanor (snarling, a show of teeth, jumping, hyper active, etc.), the animal attacking the mail carrier, etc. Some cases have held that certain breeds of dogs are vicious by their nature. In New York, a dog does NOT have to have bitten someone in the past for the owner to be liable. In other states the dog is allowed one bite without being held liable.
The severity of the bite, the location of the bite (what part of the body), the need for surgery, the resulting scars and the need for rabies shots are all factors to be considered in evaluating an animal bite case. Was the animal on a leash? Did the animal have the appropriate license? Was the animal properly trained? Was the animal properly restrained or contained?
There are many situations where someone is bitten by a neighbor’s dog, or a family member’s dog. In these situations liability may exist and you may be entitled to recover money damages. If you are bitten by a dog you don’t know, it is very important to be able to identify the dog (for rabies testing) and to identify the owner (they may be held accountable).
Experience
Our attorneys worked for major insurance companies as well as the City of New York before becoming plaintiff’s lawyers. They know how insurance carriers and municipalities investigate, work up, negotiate and defend lawsuits. After approximately a decade of defense representation the attorneys began representing people who suffered serious injuries. They have been representing injured parties for more than 10 years.
A Sampling of Cases We Have Handled
A little girl was bit in the face by the neighbor’s dog. The dog was allowed to roam free in the yard even though there was a hole in the fence. The little girl was playing with a puppy the neighbors had recently brought home and their older dog stuck its face through the hole and bit the little girl.
A woman was visiting her daughter and her daughter’s dog jumped up on her and knocked her off the stoop.
A young boy was petting the neighbor’s dog that was on a leash, the dog bit him in the face. The dog had bitten someone previously.
Helpful Links
- What to do if you have been bitten by a dog or cat
- How to prevent dog bites
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Animal Bite Expert
Our firm represents clients located in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, New York State and many other states (New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, and California, and we will handle a case in any state provided we can do so in full compliance with court rules regarding multijurisdictional practice, association of local counsel and/or admission pro hac vice) who have suffered personal injuries as the result of being bitten by a dog.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or an animal, CONTACT US ONLINE OR CALL US AT (516) 742-8897= (516) PIATTYS in Long Island, (212) 267-9377= (212) ANSWERS In Manhattan TO SET UP A FREE CONSULTATION. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you in the hospital or we will visit you in our mobile office.
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