Long Island Dog Bite Lawyers

Long Island Dog Bite Attorneys Fighting to Preserve the Rights of Dog Bite Victims in Suffolk County, Nassau County, & Throughout Long Island

Dog bites can be devastating, with serious and far-reaching consequences. While children and the elderly can be especially susceptible to an aggressive and more powerful animal, a vicious dog is a danger to anyone in its vicinity. If you or a loved one have suffered a dog attack on Long Island, it is vital to pursue the matter legally through the representation of a skilled and experienced New York dog bite lawyer. Not only will you be seeking appropriate compensation for injuries and damages, but pursuing a personal injury claim with the guidance of a knowledgeable Long Island dog bite attorney in response to the dog’s attack will help keep your community safe.

Dog bite injuries are quite common in New York. A 2017 study showed that over 6000 emergency room visits in 2014 were due to dog bites or related to dog attacks. The CDC reports that there are over 4.5 million cases of dog bites reported every year around the country. 

The Harrison Law Group, P.C. is committed to helping victims of accidents recover compensation for their injuries. Our dog bite lawyers are highly experienced with cases involving dog bites on Long Island. We’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for dog bite victims over the past 30 years, and we continue to do so. If you choose us to represent you in your dog bite injury claim, you can be sure we will give your case the dedication and attention it requires to pursue appropriate compensation. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free case consultation and strategy session.

Our ​​Dog Bite Attorneys Fight For Victims in New York

These attacks are often unprompted, and they are particularly damaging to children, older adults, and people with physical limitations because these groups cannot protect themselves. In New York, all dog owners are liable for the full cost of the medical bills sustained from a dog attack. In addition, a dog’s owners can be held responsible for damages caused by pain and suffering or lost wages if determined to be a “dangerous dog.”

In New York, dog owners are liable to injured victims for all medical bills sustained from dog attacks. Dog owners can also be liable for damages such as pain and suffering, lost time from work, and other damages if the dog is considered to be a “dangerous dog” because it has engaged in any of the following behaviors:

• Without justification, the dog attacks a person, companion animal, farm animal, or domestic animal, and causes physical injury or death.
• The dog behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to one or more persons, companion animals, farm animals, or domestic animals.
• Without justification, the dog attacks a service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog and causes physical injury or death.

If a dog bit you in New York, seek medical attention promptly, then contact a knowledgeable dog bite attorney at our firm for a free legal consultation.

In representing the victim of a dog bite or attack, we will want to learn as much as we can about any dangerous propensities of the dog, such as whether it has ever bitten or attacked anyone before — and whether neighbors were in fear of the dog attacking them. We can discuss these details during your free consultation.

Common Dog Bite Injuries and Scenarios in New York

Dog bite injuries range from minor cuts to scarring and disfigurement. Many factors come into play regarding dog bite attacks. A dog may simply snarl and snap at the victim. In other cases, a dog will bite the victim with its powerful jaws while trying to inflict as much damage as possible. There are also scenarios in which a dog will knock a victim on the ground by jumping on them, putting them at risk for a head injury or a broken bone.

Dog Bite Attacks Involving Children

Children do not know how to move away from aggressive dogs or properly defend themselves. Their small size and defenselessness put them at a greater risk of suffering life-altering, catastrophic facial trauma from severe dog bites. Likewise, elderly individuals are often more at risk of being knocked over and experiencing a hip fracture or trauma to their head, neck, and back. 

Dog Bite Attacks Involving Elderly, Disabled, or Immunocompromised Individuals

For elderly individuals, recovering from a hip fracture can take well over a year. Many victims never recover the full use of their hip, often requiring them to use assisted walking devices. Disabled and immunocompromised individuals are also at a greater risk of severe injuries from a dog bite.

Types of Injuries Caused By Dog Bites in New York

We at the Harrison Law Group, P.C. fight diligently on behalf of victims of New York dog bites to seek compensation for their injuries and other damages caused by the attack. We have handled cases involving many serious injuries: 

• Traumatic Brain injuries 
• Concussions 
• Infections 
• Serious lacerations
• Crush injuries 
• Back and neck injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Puncture wounds 
• Broken bones 
• Amputated digits or loss of limbs 
• Catastrophic injuries 
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Infection, including the risk of contracting rabies
• Facial trauma
• Paralysis and nerve damage

We know that recovering from a dog attack can be physically and emotionally trying. We provide victims of dog bite injuries and dog attacks with the guidance and support they need to progress through this trying time. 

If a Dog Bite Attack Caused The Death of a Loved One in New York

We also represent the families of dog bite injury victims who have lost their lives due to injuries suffered in an animal attack. We will guide you through filing a wrongful death lawsuit to recover financial compensation for the loss of your loved one. Contact us today to schedule your appointment for a free consultation if you suffered injuries from a dog in New York, and we will assess your options for an injury claim.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim in New York

New York’s dog bite laws are somewhat complex. Some states use a “one bite rule” or “one free bite rule,” while others use a “strict liability” rule. New York combines these two legal theories in their dangerous dog statute. A critical distinction in New York dog bite cases regards whether the dog owner knew their dog was dangerous. If the dog owner was unaware of their dog’s vicious tendencies, the dog bite victim could still seek compensation for medical expenses related to the attack.

However, suppose the dog owner knew the dog was dangerous and could injure someone. In that case, the victim can seek compensation not only for medical expenses but also for lost wages, mental anguish, disabilities caused by the attack, and pain and suffering.

To seek the full scope of damages in a New York dog bite claim involving a dangerous dog, the victim must prove that the dog had a “vicious propensity” — meaning the dog had a history of violence. For example, suppose a dog had bitten a child in the past and then bit another child. The first attack would fulfill the vicious propensity requirements. Speak with an experienced attorney at our firm to learn how a particular dog’s vicious propensities may affect your injury claim.

Types of Compensation a Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer from the Harrison Law Group P.C. Can Help You Seek for Your Financial Recovery Following a Dog Attack in New York

Every dog bite case is unique. The compensation you can seek for your claim will differ from what another victim would recover in a similar case. Our experienced attorneys work with a wide range of cases. Your personal injury lawyer will work to maximize your recovery.

Some of the damages that we can help you seek for your financial compensation recovery include:

• Past and future medical costs 
• Expenses for reconstructive surgery 
• Expenses for physical therapy and rehabilitation 
• Costs of long-term medical care 
• Lost wages 
• Property damage 
• Loss of the capacity to earn 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Loss of the quality of life or loss of enjoyment of life 
• Disfigurement and scarring 
• Wrongful death

Our attorneys will review your case to determine the damages for which you are eligible. We will work with you to preserve evidence to demonstrate the devastating impact the dog bite injuries have had on you and your family. We will argue your case in negotiations to maximize your compensation, considering all applicable medical costs in the short and long term.  We will even represent you in court if we cannot negotiate a settlement. You can rely on us to work to seek the most appropriate and just compensation in your case.

Proving The Dog That Bit You Had a Vicious Propensity for Violence in New York

Dog bite victims who wish to recover the full spectrum of damages — including damages for pain and suffering — must prove that the dog had a vicious propensity for violence when it bit them. Under New York state law, a dog is considered to have a vicious propensity for violence if:

• It attacks and injures or kills a person or animal
• It behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.

Proving that a dog has a vicious propensity requires an in-depth investigation into the dog’s background. At Harrison Law Group, we have the resources and network necessary to fully investigate. We will review records from the New York City Department of Health to determine whether the dog has previously bitten anyone else before your dog bite incident. 

We may also interview people familiar with the dog in depositions to ask whether the dog has ever snapped at strangers or lunch at strangers without provocation. Additionally, if the victim tried to provoke the dog in any way, that would not support the claim that the dog was dangerous. Proving that a dog had a vicious propensity is not always easy, which is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side when pursuing a dog bite lawsuit.

Contact an Experienced Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer at The Harrison Law Group, P.C.

In New York, dog bite victims only have three years to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. If you do not file your lawsuit within that time frame, you will lose your right to seek and recover compensation for your injury. Consulting a lawyer as soon as possible is essential for protecting your claim. We understand the pain and trauma dog bite victims endure. That is why we fight so hard to help dog bite victims recover the compensation they need to pay for the highest-quality treatment possible that can help them regain normalcy. Contact Harrison Law Group today to schedule a free case consultation and strategy session, where we will discuss how we can help you seek the compensation you need.

There is no place in our cities and residential areas for vicious dogs prone to unprovoked attacks on the innocent. Owners of vicious dogs must be held to account for dog bite damages and injuries to the full extent of New York dog bite laws. Pursuing valid dog bite claims is the only way to ensure that the owners of dangerous dogs will change their behavior.

In addition to seeking to prove that a dog is a “dangerous dog” with vicious propensities under New York law, we will also want to prove to a jury the full scope of injuries and damages that you sustained, including past and future pain and suffering. It is important to account for all of the long-range expenses caused by a dog bite incident, which can add up to a large amount over time.

Upon learning about reviewing your case, the team at our New York personal injury law firm can explain your right to seek legal recovery against the dog owner responsible for your injuries, related medical bills, and other related damages. We represent dog bite victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee for us unless and until we successfully win compensation for you.

While some individuals may often dismiss dog bites as an injury that is no big deal because it’s just a behavior caused by a dog playing, our team understands that dog attacks are a grave issue — and we are here to help you deal with them accordingly. We pride ourselves on being New York’s proven personal injury law firm, and we want to seek just compensation on your behalf for your injuries and suffering. Share the details of your situation with our firm now to seek personalized advice from our legal team during a free case evaluation.

We understand you need to be heard, and we are prepared to listen, guide you, and be your voice — The Harrison Law Group, P.C.