Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in New York?

Yes, you can sue for a dog bite in New York. Dog bites can cause serious injuries that lead to infection, disfigurement, serious injury and even death. The medical expenses and time out of work caused by a dog bite can be substantial.   

The mere fact that a dog bite occurred does not guarantee that will recover compensation since you must first establish that the dog had a history of vicious behavior. A history of vicious behavior could be proven with evidence that the dog had bitten someone else before or had shown signs of threatening behavior towards people or other dogs.

If a dangerous dog bit and injured you or your child, you may be entitled to collect damages from the owner or other responsible party. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the best path for obtaining compensation.

Damages Available That You Can Recover After a Dog Bite Injury in New York

A dog bite lawyer can help you understand the types of compensation available to you after your dog bite injury. Damages vary from case to case, with more severe injuries generally resulting in more compensation. 

You can recover damages for:

• Pain and suffering, especially if your injuries caused emotional trauma, chronic pain, permanent disfigurement or disability, or require multiple procedures
• Medical expenses for your emergency treatment, wound care, cosmetic procedures, and surgeries
• Ongoing medical expenses if your injuries require ongoing care
• Loss of income if you are temporarily or permanently out of work

If you lost a loved one in a dog bite attack, you can recover wrongful death damages like:

• Pain and suffering that your loved one experienced before he passed away
• Medical expenses for care your loved one received before he passed away
• Burial and funeral expenses
• Loss of financial support, including future earnings, pension benefits, medical coverage, and reduced inheritance
• Loss of spousal support such as marital relationship, household chores and maintenance, childcare, and more
• Loss of parental guidance and support if the deceased had any children

For a free legal consultation, call (646) 692-0204.

How a New York Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You With Your Case

Our lawyer will guide you through the complex legal and insurance process that comes with a dog bite case. We will investigate the incident, file a claim for you, collect and submit supporting documents, and negotiate a settlement.

If negotiations fail, we will represent you in a trial. We will do whatever it takes to get you the best possible compensation.

New York Laws Hold Negligent Dog Owners Accountable

New York laws hold dog owners accountable for their dogs’ behavior. NY AGM 108.24 (a) defines a dangerous dog as one that attacks a person, service dog, companion animal, farm animal, or domestic animal, causing injury or death, or behaves in a way that causes fear or serious injury or death. This behavior must be unprovoked, meaning that the dog did not bite while defending itself, its owner, or its owner’s property.

NY AGM 123 outlines the penalties the owner of a dangerous dog faces if they negligently allow their dog to harm another person—unless the dog was defending the owner’s property from a crime. 

Here are the potential penalties:

• Civil penalty of not more than $400 if the dog bites a person, service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog and causes physical injury. This penalty is on top of any other penalties the owner may face.
• Civil penalty of not more than $5,000 if the dog bites a person and causes serious physical injury. This penalty is on top of any other penalties the owner may face but can be reduced by any payment the owner makes toward the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
• Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $3,000, not more than 90 days in prison, or both if the dog bites a person and causes serious physical injury. This fine can be reduced by any payment the owner makes toward the victim’s damages.
• Class A misdemeanor if a dangerous dog kills or causes the death of a person
• Must pay all medical costs resulting from injury to a person, companion animal, farm animal, or domestic animal.

Click to contactour personal injury lawyers today.

File Your Lawsuit Before the New York Deadline

According to CVP § 214, you have three years from the date of the dog bite to sue the dog’s owner. However, there may be extenuating circumstances that alter this deadline. Our lawyer will evaluate your case and determine how this statute of limitations applies to you. We will make sure to file your claim before time runs out.

Complete a free case evaluation form now.

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP Is Ready to Help With Your Dog Bite Case

Dog bites can cause physical injury, emotional trauma, and permanent disfigurement and disability. If a dangerous dog bit you or your child, the owner may be liable for substantial compensation for all of your physical, emotional and financial damages.

Contact the lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP today for a free case consultation. Because we work on contingency, you pay nothing unless we win your case.  Don’t delay.  The sooner you consult with our lawyers, the sooner we can begin to build a strong claim for maximum compensation.

 Call or text (646) 692-0204 or complete a free case evaluation form.