Millions of people are attacked and bitten by dogs each year. A dog attack can happen for many reasons. Often a well-trained animal will attack for seemingly no reason. Experiencing an attack can be traumatic, and the injuries may be extensive and include damage not only from the bite itself, but also additional injuries from fleeing an attack or being knocked down by the dog. The injuries sustained from dog attacks can be serious, including deep lacerations and puncture wounds, as well as head injuries, crushed bones, infections, and back injuries. Sadly, in far too many cases victims dies after being attacked by a dog. Survivors face painful wounds and significant psychological trauma. If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog and as a result suffered a serious injury, it is critical that you take prompt action to protect your legal rights. Contact an experienced Long Island dog bite lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Dog bite injuriesIt is important that you seek medical attention even if the dog bite seems to be minor. Dog bites can lead to serious infections such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pasteurella. Even though rabies in dogs is rare in the United States, if the dog has not been immunized for rabies a dog it may contract rabies from being bitten from a wild animal such as a skunk, fox, or raccoon. If it is unknown whether or not the dog has been immunized for rabies, then the dog bite victim may need to get the rabies vaccine as a precaution. Rabies is an acute viral infection that affects the spinal cord and the brain. It can be fatal.
Other injuries from dog bites including broken bones from deep bites, spinal cord, back, neck and head injuries from being knocked down or from bites.
Dog attacks are not only physical painful, dog attacks are terrifying. Victims of dog attacks frequently suffering emotionally months and even years after the attack and the physical wounds have healed.
DamagesVictims of dog attacks are often left with painful injuries, terrifying memories and medical bills. In many cases victims miss weeks and months of work due their injuries are being treated. In cases of broken bones, recovery time typically is 6-8 weeks. If you suffer a brain injury such as a severe concussion, memory loss, sensitivity to bright lights, dizziness and sleeplessness often remains several months after the injury. While you are recovering you will likely miss a lot work. This means that you may have trouble paying your medical bills, your mortgage, your car note and your other bills and expenses.
As a dog bite attorney in Long Island will explain, through a personal injury lawsuit you can hold the negligent dog owner accountable for your injuries and your losses. You can demand payment for your past and future medical expenses, lost income, lost benefits, missed self-employment income, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If the dog's owner acted recklessly or willfully, resulting in the dog biting the victim, the court may also award the victim punitive damages. To provide pain and suffering, you may need to demonstrate that as a result of the dog attack you suffer from depression, fear, irritability, sleeplessness, and mood swings.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was attacked by a dog and suffered serious injuries, you should contact an experienced dog bite attorney serving Long Island who understands both the legal issues associated with dog bite cases as well as the medical problems victims of dog bites suffer. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from dog attacks as well as other types of personal injury cases such as slip and falls, car accidents, construction accidents and medical malpractice. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.