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What Do I Do After a Dog Bite In New York?

What Do I Do After a Dog Bite In New York?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are approximately 70 million dogs in the United States. Many dogs are well-behaved pets, and many others are not. Whether a dog is friendly is often based on its owner and the training it receives. For example, some dogs learn to be aggressive and attack without reason.

If a dog attacks you, you may want to contact a New York dog bite lawyer. Our experienced lawyers at Banville Law will help you understand your rights and options and guide you through a dog bite lawsuit.

Local hospitals that treat dog bite injuries:

How Do Dog Bite Injury Laws Work in New York?

Dog bites are one of the most common types of injuries that occur in NYC. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog bite incidents happen every two minutes in the United States.

While these statistics may seem alarming, they do not tell the whole story. There are several factors involved in determining whether a person was bitten by a dog, such as breed, size, training, and location.

According to New York state law, dogs are considered dangerous animals under certain circumstances. If a dog bites a human without provocation, the owner is liable for any injury caused by the attack. 

Steps to Take If Bit By a Dog in NY

In New York City alone, dog bite cases cost taxpayers $10 million each year. That means that the city spends an average of $500,000 per case.

Unfortunately, most of these cases go unreported. This makes it difficult for authorities to track down the dogs responsible for biting people.

Here are steps to take if bit by a dog in NY:

#1. Report the Bite Immediately

First thing first, report the bite immediately. Make sure you tell the police officer everything you remember about the incident.

It doesn't matter whether the dog was friendly or aggressive. What matters is that you reported the bite.

#2. Get Medical Attention

After reporting the bite, call 911 and ask for medical attention. Do not attempt to treat the wound yourself.

Make sure you describe the location of the injury and any symptoms you experienced after the bite.

#3. File a Lawsuit Against the Owner

If you were bitten by a dangerous dog, file a lawsuit against the owner. Most states allow victims to sue owners of dangerous animals.

However, filing a lawsuit does not mean that you will win. It simply gives you the opportunity to prove that the dog was dangerous.

#4. Seek Legal Advice

If you think that the dog owner should pay damages for causing you harm, seek legal advice.

A lawyer can advise you on the best course of action. He or she can also provide you with information regarding the laws in your state.

#5. Contact Animal Control

Animal control officers can assist you in identifying the owner of the dog.

When Can I Sue a Dog Owner for an Attack?

Dog bites are one of the most common types of personal injury cases handled by New York dog bite lawyers. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly four million Americans were bitten by dogs last year alone. While dog owners often assume that their pets cannot harm others, the truth is that dogs can cause serious injuries to humans.

Dogs can attack without warning, and they may not stop until they inflict severe damage. So if a dog has injured you, you may have grounds to sue the owner for negligence.

What Constitutes Negligence?

Negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. This means that the defendant had a duty to protect the plaintiff from foreseeable risks. If the defendant breached their duty, then they were negligent. This does not mean that every dog bite case will result in a lawsuit. However, if you believe the dog owner failed to supervise the animal properly, you should consult with a New York dog bite lawyer.

How Do I Know If My Case Has Merit?

Several factors can influence whether or not you have a valid claim against the dog owner. These include:

  • Was the victim attacked by the dog?
  • Did the dog have a prior history of attacking people?
  • Were the dog's actions provoked?
  • What did the dog owner do after the incident occurred?
  • How old was the dog?
  • Where was the dog kept?
  • Who owned the dog?

How Long Do You Have to Sue?

Contacting your attorney right away after a dog bite is very important. Waiting too long to seek legal assistance can result in a statute of limitations running out. Statutes of limitation vary depending on the state. Some states allow three years to bring a lawsuit, while others allow six months.

It is important to act quickly after a dog bite. Otherwise, you may miss your chance to receive compensation for your injuries.

Our New York dog bite attorneys can help you determine whether you qualify for compensation. Our team of experienced trial lawyers can assist you in filing a claim against the responsible parties.

What Can I Recover After Filing a Claim?

After filing a claim, you can recover money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the dog bite.

  • Medical Expenses - If you suffered serious physical harm due to the dog bite, you may be eligible to recover medical costs. These include costs associated with emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other medical services.
  • Lost Wages - If you missed work due to the dog bite injury, you may be entitled to payment for your lost wages. You should contact your employer to determine whether you qualify for wage replacement benefits.
  • Pain And Suffering - If you suffered severe pain due to the dog bite, you could recover damages for pain and suffering. Pain and suffering include things such as anxiety, depression, humiliation, embarrassment, and fear.
  • Emotional Distress - If you experienced extreme emotional distress as a result of the attack, you can recover damages. Emotional distress includes feelings of anger, frustration, sadness, and grief.

Contact a New York Dog Bite Lawyer Today

If you were bitten by a dangerous animal, call us today to discuss your legal rights and options. We offer free consultations, and our dog bite attorneys at Banville Law in New York are available 24/7 to answer questions about your potential case.

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Laurence P. Banville
Date Published: October 18, 2022
Laurence P. Banville is the managing partner of Banville Law. As an experienced personal injury attorney, Mr. Banville helps clients recover compensation from those responsible for his clients' injuries. Our firm is located in New York City, serving clients from the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
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