With over 400,000 dog-owning homes on Long Island, it’s not uncommon to encounter dogs on a regular basis in both Suffolk and Nassau County. Despite most dogs being well-trained and friendly, a dog could attack at any moment. With over 4 million US citizens attacked and injured by dogs every year, it’s important to always practice caution around dogs whether they’re familiar or not.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, contact the Long Island dog bite attorneys at The Barnes Firm. Our experienced team of attorneys will evaluate your case for free, investigate the unique circumstances of your individual case, and advise you on next steps to take with your accident claim. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Dog Attack on Long Island?
In the aftermath of an animal attack, it’s crucial to prioritize your health. Seeing a medical professional and focusing on recovery is very important. While you recover, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced Long Island dog bite lawyer at The Barnes Firm to handle the legal aspects of your case. When you hire The Barnes Firm, you will receive an experienced attorney who will:
- Evaluate your case, free of charge.
- Thoroughly investigate the details of your accident.
- Gather photo and video evidence, police reports, and witness statements.
- Address any questions or concerns you may have at any time.
- Help you navigate the legal process.
- Advise you on steps to take following the accident.
- Prepare and take your case to trial, if necessary.
If you or someone you know has been injured by a dog bite attack, don’t hesitate to contact The Barnes Firm. Our team of Long Island dog bite attorneys is here to help you get the best result possible. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 and find out what your case is really worth.
New York State Dog Bite Laws
In New York, dog bite cases come down to one main question: did the owner know, or should they have known, that their dog could be dangerous?
This is called the “vicious propensities” rule, and it’s the only way to win a dog bite case in New York — you can’t win simply by showing the owner was careless in some general way. You have to show the dog had shown signs of being dangerous before, and the owner knew about it or should have known.
The dog doesn’t need to have bitten someone before for you to have a case. Courts have made clear that owners don’t get a “free pass” on a first bite. Signs like growling, snapping, aggressive behavior, or even keeping the dog as a guard dog can all show the owner knew the dog could be dangerous. If the owner knew about any of this and didn’t do enough to prevent an attack, they can be held responsible for your medical bills, vet bills if a pet was also hurt, pain and suffering, and more.
You also don’t need the dog to have been officially labeled a “dangerous dog” by a court to have a strong case. That kind of official label can help prove your point, but plenty of successful cases involve dogs that were never formally labeled that way at all.
Common Long Island Dog Attack Injuries
Dog attacks can result in various injuries, ranging from minor lacerations and bruises to broken or fractured bones and severe infections. Our Long Island dog bite accident lawyers have found that the most common dog attack injuries result in:
- Emotional or psychological trauma
- Infections
- Broken and fractured bones
- Nerve damage
- Bruising
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Puncture wounds
It’s critical that you prioritize your health and see a medical professional as soon as possible following a dog bite accident. Once evaluated by a medical professional, don’t wait to call The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000. Our Long Island dog bite attorneys will be by your side from the initial consultation all the way to the final settlement.
What Should I Do After Being Attacked by a Dog on Long Island?
If you have been attacked by a dog, it is important to take certain steps to protect your health and legal rights, which include but are not limited to:
- Seek Medical Attention. Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if the injuries seem minor, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Dog bites can easily become infected and may require medical treatment.
- Identify the Dog and Its Owner. If possible, try to identify the dog that attacked you and its owner without getting near the dog. Get the owners contact information and any information about the dog, such as breed or size. This will be important for future legal proceedings.
- Gather Evidence. Take photos of your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and any visible signs of negligence, such as broken fences or lack of proper restraints. This evidence can be crucial in building your case.
- Report the Attack. Contact local law enforcement or animal control to report the dog attack. They can document the incident and take appropriate action, such as issuing citations or quarantining the dog.
- Gather Witness Statements. If there were any witnesses to the attack, ask for their contact information and statements about what they saw. Their testimonies can provide additional evidence to support your case.
- Preserve Evidence. Keep any clothing or personal belongings that were damaged during the attack. These items can serve as evidence of the severity of the attack and can be used to calculate damages.
- Contact a Dog Bite Attorney at The Barnes Firm. It is important to seek legal representation from an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible. They can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and work to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Long Island Dog Attack?
Recovering compensation can be a very complex process following any type of personal injury case. After a dog bite attack, the severity of your injuries and damages, as well as the unique circumstances surrounding the accident can all influence the amount of compensation you may receive. Our Long Island dog bite attorneys have handled numerous dog bite cases, and have successfully recovered compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer Today
At The Barnes Firm, we understand how traumatizing dog attacks can be for victims and their families. From suffering physical injury to emotional damage, victims of these attacks deserve justice.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog bite attack, don’t hesitate to contact The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000. Our Long Island dog bite attorneys are ready to answer any questions to you have and will fight hard on your behalf to help you get the best result possible.
Our team of attorneys want to hear from you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
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Answers to Your Long Island Dog Bite FAQs
If you’re attacked by a dog while making a delivery in Nassau or Suffolk County, get medical attention first — even a small bite can get infected. Report the attack to your employer and to local animal control so there’s an official record of what happened and the dog’s behavior. That record can matter a lot if you decide to pursue a claim later.
Suing a dog owner after an attack doesn’t automatically mean the dog gets put down. What happens depends on things like how serious your injuries were, whether the dog has a history of aggression, and whether the owner was careless in controlling it. Courts are more likely to order the owner to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering than to order the dog euthanized.
Get medical treatment right away. Once you’re safe, try to identify the dog and its owner if you can do so without putting yourself at risk — this matters both for your treatment and for any claim you decide to bring.
A dog’s lack of prior aggression can influence liability in a dog bite case in Buffalo. If the dog has no history of biting or aggressive behavior, it may mitigate the owner’s liability to some extent. However, the victim’s conduct at the time of the incident and whether they provoked the dog are also critical factors considered by the courts.
In New York, you can pursue legal action if a dog attacks your pet, service animal, or livestock. You may be entitled to compensation for veterinary bills, emotional distress, and other damages resulting from the attack. Consult with a dog bite lawyer to understand your rights and the legal options available to you.
As a parent of a child bitten by a dog, seek immediate medical attention for your child. Even minor bites can have serious consequences, especially for children. Report the incident to local authorities and gather information about the dog and its owner. Consulting with a dog bite lawyer specializing in child injuries can help you protect your child’s rights and seek compensation for medical expenses and emotional trauma.
Read More: Top Reasons Why Kids are at Greater Risk of Dog Attacks
You can file a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance, or pursue a civil lawsuit if needed. A Long Island dog bite lawyer can gather the evidence that matters most — medical records, witness statements, and proof the owner knew or should have known the dog could be dangerous — and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
The most common injuries we see include puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, fractures, and infections. Facial injuries are especially common in young children, since they’re often at eye level with dogs during an attack. Getting medical attention right away is important both for treatment and for documenting your injuries if you pursue a claim.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes
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