Manhattan Dog Bite

According to recent statistics over 4 million dog bite injuries occur every year. The injuries from dog attacks can range from moderate to severe, and may include lacerations, as well as broken bones, head injuries, infections and even death. New York law states that an owner of a dangerous dog can be considered strictly liable for any medical expenses resulting from a dog attack. In addition, the owner could be fined if it is shown that the owner was negligent, and the victim was a person, a guide dog, a service dog, or a hearing dog. The amount of the fine will depend on whether the dog has been deemed a "dangerous dog," the severity of the injuries, and whether the victim was another animal, or a person. Thus, if you or a loved one was injured by a dog attack, it is critical that you immediately contact an experienced Manhattan dog bite lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

When a doc attacks, in addition to bites, there are a variety of other injuries that the victim may suffer.

• Bites. A bite is a puncture wound.
• Bone fractures. Some dogs are so big and strong that their bites can be so deep that the break bones, damage muscle, and damage nerves. In addition, dogs often knock down their victims, resulting in broken arms and wrists from the fall to the pavement.
• Infections. The saliva from the dog can cause infections.
• Face, head and eye injuries. If the victim is knocked to the ground, dogs have easy access to the head and face, leading to serious trauma to the face, head and eyes.
• Psychological injuries. Many victims of dog attacks suffer lingering emotional trauma such as PTSD, depression, and sleeplessness.

Under New York law the owner of a dog may be liable for the injuries caused by his or her dog if the dog is deemed a "dangerous" dog. A dog is deemed dangerous if it has a history of being aggressive, even if it has not previously attacked. A dog owner may still be liable for a dog attack even in cases where the dog has not been labeled "dangerous" if the dog owner has been negligent. If you were injured by in a dog attack, you can file a lawsuit and demand compensation for your medical bills, your lost income, and your pain and suffering.

• Medical expenses: All past and future medical expenses related to treating the dog injuries related to the dog attack. This may include bills from your emergency room treatment, hospital stay, diagnostic tests, surgery, medication, physical therapy and psychological counseling.
• Lost wages: The treatment and recovery process related to a serious injury often means that the victim will have to miss some work. The law allows victims to demand that the person responsible for the injury compensate them for the lost paychecks and other lost income that resulted from missing work while recovering from the dog attack.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage award, awarded to victim how suffer permanent injuries such as scars or limps. It is also awarded to victims who suffered severe emotional trauma as evidenced by medical records and testimony from friends and family members.

Being attacked by a dog is traumatic. Victims are left in pain, suffer PTSD, depression and are left with a severe fear of dogs. If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog and suffered a bite, bone fractures, and infection or other serious injuries, you should contact an experienced attorney who understands both the 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.