Westbury Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Recoverable Damages in Dog Bite Cases

The Legal Information Institute (LII) affirms that there are two types of compensatory damages you can recover through a dog bite personal injury lawsuit: economic damages and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages 

Economic damages are money you are given to compensate for your financial losses, both past and future. Some examples of economic damages include the following. 

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Psychological and therapy services
• Lost earning potential
• Wage gap caused by injuries
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages 

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages cover your intangible losses. You can recover non-economic damages for your physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, and lasting trauma. 

If you lost a loved one to a dog attack, you can also recover non-economic damages for their pain and suffering before their passing. Once we review the specifics of your case, we can give you a better idea of which non-economic damages would apply. 

How Dog Bite Laws in New York Could Affect Your Case

Unlike other states, New York follows strict liability when it comes to dog bites. This means that if a dog is found to be dangerous, an owner is liable for a victim’s medical bills—even if they took measures to control their dog. 

When it comes to seeking other damages, such as pain and suffering, you must prove that the dog owner was negligent in some way. For example, if they failed to leash their dog and it attacked you, you can make a case to collect compensation for losses other than your medical bills. 

Discuss Your Case with One of Our Attorneys During a Free Consultation

You may be unsure whether you have a case for compensation and how much you stand to recover. We can determine your legal options and the worth of your case during a free, no-obligation consultation. This allows us to get started on your case immediately. You have nothing to lose by taking advantage of this opportunity. 

We will Investigate the Dog Attack to Prove Negligence

First, we will investigate the incident to determine who is at fault for the dog’s attack. We can uncover evidence that the dog owner or property owner was negligent and allowed the attack to happen. 

Evidence can include things like CCTV footage, photographs, witness statements, medical records, and police reports. It can also include past legal rulings. For example, if the dog has previously been ruled “dangerous” by the court, the dog owner may be liable. 

Failure to take the legally required steps to keep others safe from a dangerous dog can make the dog owner liable for the resulting attack and injuries. If the dog owner negligently allowed their dog to roam around unleashed, then they may be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

We will Calculate Your Damages and Negotiate for a Settlement

We can add up your economic losses, like medical bills, and assign a value to your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. When determining what fair compensation would look like in your case, we will also take any future losses into account, such as long-term rehabilitation. 

Once we have built your case, we will use the information we have gathered to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. After you are injured, you deserve to focus on healing. The mental and physical stress of a dog bite can also leave you drained. The last thing you need is to fight with insurance adjusters for the compensation you deserve. 

Instead of taking on this fight on your own, let us negotiate for you. You will not have to communicate with the liable party or their insurer when we handle your case. 

We will Advocate for Your Best Interests

Sometimes negotiation just is not enough. If we cannot come to a settlement with the insurance companies, we will take your case to court to advocate for your best interests. We will present the evidence to a judge or jury of your peers who can rule on the damages you are owed. 

Since we take our cases on a contingency-fee-basis, we only get paid after we have succeeded in winning money for you. We will see your case through to the end, putting in the time and effort to do right by you and your family. 

New York Deadlines that May Apply to Your Case

You do not have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action after suffering a dog bite. According to CVP §214, you generally have three years after the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you lost a loved one to a dog bite, EPT §5-4.1 only gives you two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. 

When you call our firm, we can get to work right away to abide by these deadlines. The sooner you call, the better. Keep in mind that investigating your case takes time. Negotiating with insurers is also a lengthy process. 

If you do not file your suit by the deadline, you risk losing your right to seek compensation from the liable party. 

Call the Attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP to Get Started Today

After a dog bite leaves you injured in Westbury, you can depend on us to be by your side as you pursue compensation. We are committed to showing victims of negligence the respect and personal attention they deserve. 

To get started with your free consultation, call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today. Your dog bite injury lawyer from our firm is ready to get to work on your case.