Floral Park Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

How Liability Law Applies to Dog Bites

According to the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), property owners in New York owe a duty of care to others to keep their premises safe. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that result from the conditions of the property, regardless of the injured party’s status. This means that this duty of care is owed to everyone.

Even if you may have been partially at fault for what happened, that does not necessarily mean that you are precluded from seeking compensation from a negligent property owner.

Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §1411, you may still be able to seek compensation if you contributed to your slip and fall. However, your settlement may be reduced according to your degree of responsibility for the accident. A Floral Park dog bite injury lawyer will be able to tell you how shared fault may apply to your case. You don’t have to decide for yourself whether or not you have a case.

How New York State Defines a “Dangerous Dog”

According to New York Agriculture and Markets (AGM) §123, a dog can be reported if it bites or threatens to attack a person or another animal. With this report, a judge or justice can begin the process of declaring the dog to be “dangerous.”

Once a judge decides that the dog qualifies as dangerous, a judge can set appropriate penalties, including euthanasia or confinement. In determining these penalties, the judge may consider if the attack was especially severe or if the dog attacked others in the past, among other factors.

This law also outlines the civil liability of the dog owner in these cases. Owners of dangerous dogs may be required to carry a liability insurance policy to compensate victims in personal injury or wrongful death cases. If the owner negligently allowed the dog to bite someone, they may also be held liable for the victim’s injuries.

Consequences of Dog Bite Injuries

A dog bite can result in serious consequences, including injury, disfigurement, or even death. If the bite was deep, it may have damaged more than just your skin. Dogs are strong enough to bite through muscle, tendons, and even bones. Deep bites can also cause nerve damage that affects the functionality and sensation you can feel in certain regions of the body.

Severe dog bites can require sutures to stop the bleeding or even plastic surgery to treat disfigurement and scarring. Infection is always a risk with animal bites, so you will need to have the wound thoroughly cleaned and will also need to undergo tests for rabies and tetanus.

With all of these potentially serious injuries that can be caused by dog bites, your medical bills can pile up. A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses as well as for your pain and suffering.

The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in New York

New York has a statute of limitations that restricts the amount of time you have to pursue a lawsuit for a personal injury case. According to CVP §214, you generally have three years from the time of your injury to bring a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

This means that the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started working on your case and protecting your rights. A personal injury lawyer Floral Park NY from our law firm will evaluate your case, go through your medical records, and even discuss with witnesses. Moreover, they will check any security tapes footage and learn whether the dog bit other people in the past. Armed with this information, your attorney will start building a case and write the demand letter to the interested party. Your compensation claim might include everything from medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering.

Let the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Protect Your Rights

A Floral Park dog bite injury lawyer may be able to help you and your family. To receive your free consultation and to learn more, call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (866) 878-6774.