Nearly 5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States. Being attacked by a dog is traumatic, and the injuries may be extensive. When a victim is attacked by a dog, he or she may suffer serious injuries from the bite, but also may suffer additional injuries from fleeing the attack or being knocked down. The injuries sustained from these incidents can be significant and typically result in the victim suffer Common injuries are lacerations and puncture wounds. However, a dog attack victim may also suffer a head injury, neck injury, spinal code injury, or a broken bones. There are even cases when the victim dies as a result of a dog attack. In particular, if a child was the victim, there can also be significant psychological trauma. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you suffered a serious injury because you were attacked by a dog, it is important that you take prompt action to protect your rights. It is critical that you immediately contact an experienced Suffolk County dog bite lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
New York dog bite lawUnder New York law, dog owners must care for and manager their dogs in a responsible way. This means that a dog owner must keep his (or her) dog under control in order to ensure that others are safe. Thus, if a dog owner is negligent and as a result his dog attacks and injures another person, then the dog owner would be liable if the owner new or should have known that the dog had a propensity for attacking or biting.
In addition, if the dog has been deemed by be a dangerous dog because it previously attacked, bit, or behaved aggressively, then the dog owner would be liable if the dog attacked someone. In addition to being liability civilly, the dog owner may be liability criminally.
Pursuing a claim for a dog bite injuryWhen a dog attacks, the injuries suffered by the victim can be quite serious. The puncture wound caused by a dog bite can not only pierce the skin, requiring the victim to receive stitches, a dog's bite can be so strong that the victim may suffer broken bones. In addition, the saliva from a dog can lead to dangerous infections.
When a dog attacks, the dog often knocks down the victim, leading to other serious injuries. For example, if the victim is on the ground, the dog can easily attack the victim's face leading to injuries to the face, neck and eyes. The fall to the ground can cause the victim to suffer head, brain, and back injuries.
In addition to the physical injuries, victims suffer psychological trauma that often last for years after the physical injuries have healed.
Because of the physical and psychological trauma suffered by dog bit victims, they face financial problems because of missing work and significant medical bills. However, as an experienced dog bite attorney in Suffolk County will explain, victims do have recourse. Victims who suffer dog attack injuries because the owner of the dog was negligent can demand compensation from the owner. In order to prevail in a personal injury claim against the owner of a dog that attacked, the victim must not only prove that the dog caused his (or her) injuries, the victim must also prove that the owner new the dog had the propensity to be vicious. Evidence of propensity for viciousness includes biting or attacking someone in the past or that the dog growls, snarls or bares its teeth.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you or a loved one was attacked by a dog and suffered a dog bite, you should contact an experienced dog bite attorney serving Suffolk County who understands New York dog bite law, personal injury law, and other legal issues associated with dog bite cases as well as the medical implications. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from dog bites as well as other types of personal injury cases. 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.