New York Dog Bite Accident Lawyers
Helping Victims Recover from Dog Bites in NYC
A dog bite can be a traumatic event that results in serious and permanent injury. Vicious dog attacks cause numerous deaths every year. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite-related injury. It is further estimated for every dog bite that is reported, three go unreported.
A dog bite will often result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and a significant risk of infection. Many times, there is psychological harm that lasts well beyond the physical injury. At The Paris Law Group, PC, our dog bite accident attorneys in New York go above and beyond to help dog bite victim clients on the road to recovery.
Call us for a free consultation at (888) 365-4940, or contact us online. We’re available 24/7 for your convenience.
What Are the Most Common Dog Bite Cases?
In New York, dog bite cases can be complex. Dog owners are legally responsible for preventing dog bites, even if the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog. In many cases, the dog owner will be found liable for the victim's damages.
The most common dog bite cases involve:
- Bitten by a dog while trespassing. If a dog is on its owner's property and a trespasser is bitten, the dog owner might be liable.
- Dog bites to the face. Dog owners are liable if their dogs attack their victims' faces, causing disfigurement or blindness.
- Pit bull attacks. In some cases, the owner of a pit bull will be liable for any dog bite, even if the victim was trespassing.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Dog Bite Case?
Victims of dog bites can recover damages for the physical and emotional harm they have suffered.
The damages that victims of dog bites can recover include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent emotional trauma
- Permanent physical disability
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
The amount of damages that you can recover in a dog bite case depends on the severity of your injuries. If you were bitten on the face, you may be entitled to significant compensation due to the likelihood of permanent disfigurement or scarring.
How Do I Prove That the Dog Owner Is Liable?
In a dog bite case, the dog owner is liable for the victim's injuries that their pets cause if the owner knew the dog had vicious propensities and/or if the injury was caused by unreasonable carelessness on the part of the owner. This is known as "strict liability."
In a dog bite case, the victim can prove that the dog owner knew or reasonably should have known that their dog is dangerous by:
- Presenting evidence of prior dog bite incidents involving the same dog
- Presenting evidence of the dog's vicious propensities
- Presenting evidence that the dog was not properly trained or cared for
- Presenting evidence that the dog is a pit bull
In many cases, the dog owner will argue that the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog. If the dog owner can prove that the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog, they may not be liable for the victim's injuries. However, the victim may still be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering if the dog owner is only partially liable for the injury.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Dog Bite Case?
In a wrongful death dog bite case, the surviving family members of the victim can recover damages. Damages can be recovered on behalf of the deceased victim's estate. In many cases, the surviving family members of the victim can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the dog owner.
The damages that surviving family members can recover in a wrongful death dog bite case include:
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
New York Dog Bite Statute
According to New York Agriculture & Markets Code section 123, the owner of a dangerous dog is liable if their dog causes injuries to another person, livestock, of another person’s companion animal. The statute covers both injuries caused by bites and non-bite injuries, such as injuries sustained if a dog causes a person to fall.
New York law states that a dangerous dog is one that:
- Attacks and either injures or kills a person, farm animal, or pet without justification
- Behaves in a way that causes a reasonable person to believe that the dog poses a "serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death"
Law enforcement dogs on the job, however, are not considered dangerous dogs.
Protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. The New York dog bite accident attorneys at The Paris Law Group, PC are ready to fight for you. Contact our firm at (888) 365-4940.
Our Clients Always Come First
Hear From Our Past Clients-
“I am extremely happy I made the choice to choose you, since I saw the dedication and effort you put in the case. I know it was a long and tedious process, but you managed it very well to win. Thank you one more time for everything Mr. Jason.”
- Alfredo O. -
“Jason guided me through the process with effortless expertise. His preparation was precise and methodical, and his execution in the courtroom was impressive.”
- Jessica E. -
“I had never felt more lonely or defeated than I did after my injury. Getting injured because of someone else's negligence can feel outrageous. No one wants to get hurt, but if you do trust me that you want Jason Paris and his staff on your side.”
- Jill V.
Small Firm. Big Numbers.
Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients and Counting-
Slip and Fall $14.4 MILLION
-
Slip & Fall $11 Million
A well-known cellist was awarded almost $11 million after a slip and fall in a gourmet food market that resulted in injuries that now hamper her ability to play the instrument.
-
Pedestrian Knockdown $2.8 Million
The client was a pedestrian crossing the street when she was hit by a yellow school bus making a left-hand turn. As a result of the impact, she was forced to fall to the ground and sustained an injury to her shoulder and lower back, both of which resulted in surgeries.
-
Slip and Fall $2.7 MILLION
-
Struck by a Bag of Cement $2.6 MILLION
-
Construction Accident $2.5 Million
We were able to win a jury verdict of $2,500,000 after a pretrial offer of $150,000 for our client who sustained injuries from a construction accident.
-
Bus Accident $2.1 Million
A mediated settlement was reached on the eve of trial on behalf of the client who was a driver of a motor vehicle which was struck in the rear by a bus.
-
Bus Accident $2.1 MILLION
-
Pedestrian Accident $2 Million
The client, a young boy, was crossing the street near his home on Staten Island when he slipped on ice in the roadway and was hit by a car.
-
Car Accident $1.7 Million
The client was an ambulance driver responding to an emergency call. While in the process of making a left-hand turn with the ambulance lights and sirens in operation, he was struck by a vehicle going straight.
