Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Nassau County, NY

Most people view dogs as man’s best friend and faithful companions. This view can make many people unprepared to cope with the devastating aftermath of a dog bite injury. Victims can feel conflicted about their need for compensation and what happens to someone’s pet. The fact is that a dog bite can leave you with painful injuries, emotional trauma, and expensive medical bills. You deserve experienced legal help that can guide you through recovering meaningful compensation.

In Nassau County, dog owners have a responsibility to control their pets and prevent attacks on others. When dog owners fail to act responsibly, they may be held legally and financially accountable. At Parker Waichman LLP, our Nassau County dog bite lawyers fight for victims and help them seek the compensation they need to recover.

Our legal team understands New York’s dog bite laws and how to build a solid claim on your behalf. You’ve already experienced tremendous stress and uncertainty. Don’t face insurance companies alone. Let our skilled team protect your rights and help you navigate the dog bite claim process. Contact our office today or call us at 800-968-7529 to set up a free consultation.

Why You Need a Nassau County Dog Bite Attorney

A Nassau County dog bite attorney protects your rights after a dog attack and helps you pursue fair compensation. Dog bite injuries can cause lasting pain, scarring, and emotional distress that disrupt daily life and work. Most people are unsure where to begin or how to recover compensation for serious dog bite injuries. The process can be exceptionally challenging when the dog owner is a family member or close friend. That’s why you need an experienced Nassau County dog bite lawyer.

Working with an attorney is the best way to handle a sensitive situation when friends or family may be involved. At Parker Waichman LLP, we provide compassionate support and manage communication between you, insurers, and liable parties. Our legal team also investigates the incident, gathers evidence, and builds a compelling claim. Insurance companies may pressure you to settle quickly for less than your case is worth. An attorney can protect your rights and knows how to handle insurers and fight for the full amount you deserve.

Recovering compensation can be stressful. However, you don’t have to navigate the process without legal and emotional support. Our dedicated team has the experience and resources to guide you through every step, easing stress and uncertainty.

Understanding New York Dog Bite Laws

It also pays to utilize the experience of a skilled Nassau County dog bite attorney because laws are constantly evolving. Recently, New York dog bite laws have changed, shifting more accountability to dog owners for injuries caused by animals. New York State’s highest court issued a decision that expanded legal protections for victims injured by bites and dog attacks. Previously, New York operated under a “dangerous dog” rule. This rule meant victims could seek compensation for dog bite injuries in court only when a victim could prove the owner knew their dog had a history of biting or dangerous behavior. Essentially, dog owners were granted “one free bite” before they could be held accountable.

Flanders v. Goodfellow shifted New York dog bite law, allowing the state to follow “mixed” regulations. Mixed regulations combine strict liability and one-bite rules for dog owners. The court stipulated that New York is not solely a one-bite state. This ruling means an owner may still be liable even without knowing a dog’s aggressive or dangerous behavior.

The ruling opens up new choices to dog bite victims. When a dog owner knows or should have reasonably known the animal had vicious propensities, a victim may seek to hold them strictly liable. However, they can also fall back on old rules and prove that the owner failed to exercise due care and knew the dog had aggressive tendencies or could not control it properly. In some instances, a victim can potentially assert both theories of liability.

The border legal framework governing dog bite cases in New York gives individuals hurt by dogs more options for seeking fair compensation, regardless of a dog’s history or previous behavior.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 4.5 million Americans get bitten by dogs annually. Due to dog bites, almost 334,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency rooms. An additional 466,000 people are seen in clinics, doctors’ offices, or other medical settings. Dogs may be loving and faithful companions, but they can still inflict severe damage. Child dog bite injuries tend to be particularly severe and traumatizing.

Wounds that are common from dog bites and dog attacks can include:

• Amputations, especially of the fingers
• Puncture wounds
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Facial injuries
• Eye injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Contusions

Dog bites can also trigger significant mental health concerns for victims. Physical injuries, scarring, and disfigurement, combined with the trauma of an attack, can lead to psychological trauma. Some studies suggest dog bites can cause long-term problems in children, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety.

Physical and emotional injuries are only the tip of the iceberg. Some dog bite injuries can cause dangerous illnesses and infections. A dog’s mouth contains colonies of potentially hazardous bacteria. One study suggests that 10 to 20 percent of dog bites become infected. Infections can cause redness, swelling, and oozing. Left untreated, infections can fester, causing significant and life-threatening medical complications. Other illnesses caused by dog bites include:

• Rabies
• MRSA
• Pasteurella
• Capnocytophaga 
• Tetanus

Rabies infections from domesticated animals in the U.S. may be rare, but they still happen. Individuals must seek immediate medical treatment following a dog bite. A medical practitioner can evaluate the situation and recommend prophylactic measures to prevent illnesses when appropriate. Rabies is almost 99 percent fatal when left untreated, and symptoms present themselves.

What Compensation Is Available for New York Dog Bite Victims?

Dog bite injuries don’t just compromise a person’s physical and emotional health. Serious dog bites can jeopardize a person’s finances and ability to work. Additionally, treating dog bite injuries can be expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute, liability claims involving dog bites cost homeowners’ insurers nearly $1.57 billion in one recent year. Even more concerning is that New York ranks number six overall in the estimated number of dog bite claims in the U.S. The average cost of a New York dog bite claim was $110,488, the highest in the country.

Dog bite victims must understand that the value of a Nassau County dog bite claim varies. Factors like the wound’s severity and the incident’s circumstances can affect how much compensation an individual can recover. While every dog bite claim is unique, in most cases, a victim can pursue compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Managing a significant wound and an insurance claim can be stressful and challenging. Often, victims feel pressured into accepting a low initial settlement. Aggressive and persuasive tactics can help convince individuals that a speedy resolution is for the best. However, the result is generally only the “best” for the insurance company since it saves them time and money. Before signing a settlement agreement with an insurance company, discuss your situation with a Nassau County dog bite lawyer. An attorney can help you maximize your compensation while protecting your legal rights.

Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Lawsuits in Nassau County

It can be hard to sue a careless dog owner after a dog bite. However, a personal injury lawsuit is sometimes the best option for seeking the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Dog bite victims have a limited time to use the legal system to hold dog owners accountable. New York law gives individuals three years from the incident date to file a case. This timeframe may seem like an ample period to file a lawsuit. Yet, it can pass in a blink in complicated situations or when an insurer drags its feet during negotiations.

Involving an attorney early who can help you evaluate your options and stick to deadlines is critical. If you miss the legal deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York, the court can dismiss your case. You may be left with no negotiating leverage and can’t get your day in court. It also means you have little chance of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.

Speak to a Nassau County Dog Bite Lawyer Now

It may be painful to consider your legal options following a dog bite. Animal lovers may have trouble moving forward with holding careless dog owners accountable. At Parker Waichman LLP, our compassionate Nassau County dog bite lawyers understand what you’re going through. We aim to help you understand your legal options and offer solutions that offer the best chance of delivering results. You deserve to pursue compensation that covers your medical expenses and other losses.

Contact our office online or call 800-968-7529 to discuss your situation. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help get you started.