How can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help?

There are over 52,000,000 dogs in the United States alone, and around one-third of all households have at least one dog as a pet. Although dogs are considered man’s best friend, the fact is that thousands of people are attacked by dogs every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 800,000 people are bitten by a dog annually, and around 334,000 of those injuries are severe enough to require hospital treatment. At The Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel in New York, our team of legal professionals understands the seriousness of dog bites and zealously advocates for our clients injured in dog bite attacks. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation with a trusted New York dog bite lawyer.

Common Victims of Dog Bite Attacks

Sadly, over half of all dog bite victims are children — in particular young boys ages 5 to 9 years old. Over one-quarter of all children hurt in dog bite attacks require emergency room treatment, and around 77% of the dogs involved in these attacks belong to the victim’s family, a relative, or a friend of the family. The most common place of an attack on children is in their own home or at a friend’s home. Children are most often bitten in the head, face, and neck, which can cause catastrophic and often permanent damage.

What Dogs are Most Likely to Bite?

A recent study published in 2019 identified the dog breeds most likely to bite and which breeds caused the most severe damage in dog bite attacks. According to the researchers, the known breeds that cause the most bite attacks in the United States include the pit bull, German shepherds, terriers, and rottweilers. Other breeds known to have a higher propensity for attacks include bullmastiffs, wolf hybrids, huskies, akitas, chow chows, and doberman pinschers. The study also looked at which breeds of dogs caused the most damage with their bites. They noted that weight and head shape played an important role in assessing how much damage a dog bite can cause. Dogs with short, wide heads that weighed between 66 and 100 pounds typically caused the most damage. Breeds that can cause the most severity with their bites include pit bulls and mixed breed dogs.

Injuries Caused by Dog Bite Attacks

The injuries caused by dog bite attacks can be particularly devastating given the age of the victim and the location of the bite. Bites that occur on the head, face, and neck typically cause far more severe damage and can result in permanent disfigurement, disability, and the need for additional care. Some of the most common injuries caused by dog bite attacks include the following:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Ripped or torn soft tissue damage
  • Broken bones
  • Eye injuries or loss
  • Facial trauma
  • Scarring
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Crushing injuries
  • Avulsion or amputation injuries
  • Rabies
  • Infections
  • Death

If you or someone you know has been injured in a dog bite attack, it is critical that you speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer right away to learn more about your rights and begin the process of securing compensation for your injuries.

New York Dog Bites LAW

The liability of a dog owner for their pet’s attack on another person is determined by whether the animal qualifies as a “dangerous dog” under New York law. State code dictates that the owner of a dangerous dog is liable for any injuries caused to another person, their livestock, or their companion animal. In order for a dog to qualify as dangerous, it must be shown that the animal did one of the following:

  • Attacked, injured, or killed another person, their livestock, or their pet without justification, or
  • Behaved in a way that would give cause for a reasonable person to believe that the dog poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of either injury or death

Once a dog has been deemed dangerous, an owner is held strictly liable for all injuries caused by a dog bite attack. If the dangerous dog caused additional damage, such as property loss, the victim must also show that the dog owner was negligent.

Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

Compensation for dog bite injuries includes all costs stemming from attack injuries. This includes all medical bills such as hospitalization, treatment, surgery, medication, and transportation costs. It also includes compensation for future rehabilitation, therapy, medical devices, and additional care. Noneconomic damages for a dog bite attack may also include compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

If the injured victim can prove negligence in the dog bite attack, they can additionally be compensated for any property damage that was caused in the incident. This may be damage to real estate, such as a broken fence or window, or to personal property like a cell phone or clothing. It is important that an injury victim disclose all losses associated with an attack to their attorney.

How a Dog Lawyer Can Help

Given the intricacies of dog bite law in New York, hiring an experienced dog bite lawyer is a victim’s best chance at securing compensation after an attack. Your attorney can navigate the legal process while you focus on what is most important, recovering from your injuries. An attorney will conduct their own investigation into the case, collect evidence, and interview witnesses for statements. Your lawyer will make the best possible arguments for your case in court and hold pet owners responsible when they fail to keep their dogs from attacking others. Talk to a dog bite lawyer today to learn more.

Call or Contact My Office Today

Dog bite attacks can be devastating incidents to victims of all ages, but particularly to the young and the elderly. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack in the New York area, call or contact The Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel, P.C. today to schedule a case consultation.

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