Who May Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in New York?

Victims of New York dog bites often suffer significant financial damages in addition to their physical and emotional pain. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, compensation may be available for the injured victim. The victim of a dog attack in New York would be well-advised to discuss his or her legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury attorney. Our law firm recovered $750,000 (the highest amount recovered for a dog bite in 2010 in New York State) for a girl who was bitten by a dog.
New York dog owners may be held liable for the actions of their pet given certain circumstances. New York Agriculture & Markets Law, Section 121, subdivision 10 states: “The owner or lawful custodian of a dangerous dog shall…be strictly liable for medical costs resulting from injury caused by such dog to a person, companion animal, farm animal or domestic animal.”
In a dog bite incident, it will have to be determined if the dog was dangerous and if the owner knew of the potentially dangerous nature of the dog. A dog is deemed dangerous if, for instance, it attacked without provocation or has previously caused injuries. There are many other ways by which an experienced personal injury lawyer can establish that the dog was dangerous. When a dog known to be dangerous is not properly secured, the owner may even face criminal penalties. Criminal penalties will not, however, result in financial compensation for the victim. Injured victims often have to file a civil lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages and losses sustained in a vicious dog attack.
Injuries commonly suffered in a New York dog attack include bites, damaged skin and nerves and broken bones. These types of injuries often require surgical procedures, which may not be covered by the victim’s insurance. Sometimes, even cosmetic surgery may not help fix the victim’s scars. Dog bite victims may be physically scarred for life, which causes severe emotional trauma. Victims may seek financial compensation from the dog’s owner for all of the medical expenses related to the attack. Victims can also seek compensation for physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
The New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm know how to get injured dog bite victims fair and full compensation for the damages they have suffered. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys offer no-cost case evaluations at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help you with personal injury claims in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or Florida.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com