Nassau County Dog Bite Lawyer

If you have been the victim of a dog bite you know how upsetting a dog attack can be. Dog bites are common. In fact, there are as many as 4.7 million dog bites every year. These injuries can be extensive and may include lacerations, puncture wounds, and broken bones. In addition, where the dog knocks down the victim, the victim may suffer a brain injury or back injury. Sadly, there are cases were a dog attack ends up with the victim passing away. In the same way that a victim of a car accident may seek damages from the negligent person through a personal injury claim, victims of dog bites have the right to seek damages as well. If you are in need of counsel because you were seriously injured from a dog bite, contact an experienced Nassau County dog bite lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates as you may be due compensation for your injuries.

Under New York, Agriculture & Markets Law §121(10) an owner of a dog that has been determined to be dangerous is strictly liable for emergency room treatment and other medical expenses from bites, broken bones, head injuries, and other injuries caused by the dangerous dog. In addition to being held liable for your medical bills, the owner could be required to pay a fine if it is determined that the owner's negligence resulted in a dog bite to either a person, a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog.

While some dog breeds are more likely to bite or attack than other dog breeds, in order for an owner to be strictly liable it is not enough to show that the dog was a so-called vicious breed such as a pit bull. What’s important is that the dog had a history of violent behavior. It must be shown that the owner knew that their dog had an aggressive temperament or that the owner was negligent in their training, control, or care for the dog. Evidence would be proof that they dog has bitten or attacked before.

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you should do the following:

• Contact law enforcement and/or animal control
• Seek medical treatment right away
• Take pictures of your injuries
• Write down any details of the attack, including the dog owner's identifying information
• Contact an experienced Nassau County dog bite lawyer

Depending on the severity of the attack, wounds from a dog attack could require antibiotics, pain medication, sutures, and even skin replacement treatments. In addition, dog bites can lead to serious infections such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pasteurella. While rabies in dogs is uncommon in the United States, if the dog has not been immunized for rabies or if it is unclear whether the dog has been immunized the victim may have to immediately get the rabies vaccine as a safety measure since rabies can be fatal.

Even dogs that are well-trained and have no history of aggression can be unpredictable. Victims are injured not only from dog bites, but also from the dog knocking them down. Injuries can include deep cuts and scratches, bone fractures, back and spinal cord injuries, and head and brain injuries. In some instances, psychological counseling may be necessary to deal with the trauma of the attack itself.

If you were bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries, contact an experienced dog bite attorney in Nassau County to help you pursue compensation. Dog attack victims often must endure painful injuries and steep medical bills. In many cases victims are unable to go to work while recovering, particularly where the dog bite results in a bone fracture or a head, neck or back injury. Through a personal injury claim the victim can hold the owner responsible for their injury.

The victim can demand payment of medical expenses as well as lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Furthermore, because being attacked by a dog is a physically and emotional painful experience, the victim may be awarded compensation for 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.

If you or someone you care about suffered serious injuries in a dog attack, contact an experienced dog bite attorney serving Nassau County who understands both the legal issues associated with dog bite cases as well as the medical implications of dog attack injuries. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve injured victims in the following locations: Nassau County, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.