If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite injury in Nassau, Suffolk, or Westchester Counties or within the five boroughs of New York City, turn to Kohan Law Group for powerful legal and moral support. Contact us now for a free consultation to find out whether you have a viable claim. Once you become our client, we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we recover damages.
Even for dog lovers, suffering a dog bite injury can be traumatic — physically, emotionally, and even financially. Not only can such an injury cause serious wounds, it can result in long-term psychological distress. Victims of dog bites may also accrue high medical costs while unable to work for an extended period. In rare but tragic cases, dog bite injuries can be fatal.
The Complexity of Dog Bite Laws in New York
When it comes to dog bite laws, New York is considered a “mixed” state, meaning that it mixes the concept of strict liability with the “one-bite rule” that holds dog owners responsible only if they are aware of the dog’s propensity for vicious behavior. Generally speaking, strict liability applies for dogs that are off leash and “at large” or dogs designated as “dangerous,” while negligence applies in all other cases.
Not only can a person tending the dog (e.g. a dog walker or veterinary assistant) be held liable for a dog bite under certain circumstances, but so can a landlord who has not taken steps to protect a tenant from a dangerous dog that lives on the premises. Ultimately, when it comes to understanding and interpreting dog bite laws in New York, it is critical to have the counsel of a well-informed dog bite attorney.
Why Kohan Law Group Is the Right Choice
Our attorneys have excellent communication skills, in Spanish and Arabic as well as English. We also have superior negotiation and litigation skills and a track record of successful outcomes. You can depend on our thorough investigation of the details of your case, including close examination of your medical records and attentive interviews with witnesses of the attack.
We have in-depth knowledge of premises negligence law and a network of experts (e.g. medical, veterinary, animal control) we can call on to testify on your behalf. Above all, we will provide you with the superior legal representation you need and the empathy you deserve, and fight aggressively to recover maximum compensation.
Serious Dog Bite Injuries
The amount of harm caused by a dog bite can vary greatly depending on the size and breed of the animal, the length of the attack, the location of the wound on the victim’s body, and the size and physical condition of the victim. Children, who represent just over 50 percent of dog bite victims in the U.S., are vulnerable because they frequently don’t know how to safely interact with dogs and also are small and unable to defend themselves.
Serious dog bites, like those listed below, require urgent medical attention:
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Bone fractures
- Puncture wounds
- Torn muscle tissue
- Facial or other disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Localized bacterial infections
- Systemic bacterial or viral infections (e.g. tetanus, MRSA, rabies)
A severe dog bite can be fatal, and small children are most at risk of wrongful death from a dog bite. In addition, victims can be injured by being knocked down by a dog, which can result in fractures, head injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.
Damages Kohan Law Group Will Fight To Recover
In most cases, dog bite claims involve negotiations with an insurance company since these incidents are covered under homeowners insurance. Because insurance companies are always trying to protect their bottom line by offering lowball settlements, you should never try to negotiate with adjusters without your lawyer present.
Such negotiations require the nimble bargaining of our experienced attorneys who know exactly what to say to achieve the desired results. We also know the current rates of typical compensation and so can be confident as we move negotiations toward our goal.
Though most dog bite cases are settled out of court, our savvy lawyers are always ready for trial. That way, if negotiations aren’t productive, we are well-prepared to litigate. Either way, we will work tirelessly to help you recover damages for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or other permanent disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Psychological counseling
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you have endured the unspeakable pain of losing a close relative to dog bite injuries, we will fight tooth and nail to bring you the resources you need to cover final medical costs, funeral, burial/cremation expenses, and loss of financial and emotional support.
If the dog’s owner was especially reckless or intentionally provoked the dog to attack, we may also be able to persuade the court to award you punitive damages in addition to compensatory ones. Either way, we will fight to bring you every dollar you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Dog Bite Accident Attorneys Today
Being the victim of a dog bite attack is an unexpected, often overwhelming occurrence. Don’t try to handle the consequences alone. Get in touch with our dedicated personal injury attorneys now so we can begin strategizing how best to handle your case. As soon as you contact us, you will feel the peace of mind that comes from putting your case in capable hands so you can relax and concentrate on healing.