Dog bites can be painful and could cause lasting physical and emotional harm. In a bustling area like Manhattan, dog bites happen more often than people think.
Whether it’s a sudden bite or a forceful knock-down, victims can face injuries, medical expenses, and emotional distress. It is essential to understand your rights and seek legal assistance.
A Manhattan dog bite lawyer knows the challenges dog bite victims face. Our team at Davidoff Law can guide you through the whole legal process. We know that a dog’s owner is responsible for keeping others safe.
If the dog owner knew of the animal's potential for aggression, they should be held accountable. We are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us to learn how we can help you recover after a dog attack.
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Our Manhattan Dog Bite Lawyer Knows How Serious Dog Bites Can Be
Dog bites are more than just painful. They often lead to severe injuries. Dog bite victims may face deep cuts, infections, and scars. For some, these injuries are life-changing. The pain from a dog bite can also cause lasting fear or anxiety. Emotional trauma is common after a dog attack.
Our Manhattan dog bite lawyer understands these effects. We know that victims often need long medical treatment and that recovery can be expensive.
Victims may deal with medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our goal is to help you recover damages. You deserve fair compensation for your injuries.
Is New York a Strict Liability State?
Yes, New York follows strict liability laws for dog bites. This law holds dog owners accountable for injuries if their dog is known to be dangerous. If a dog has bitten someone before, or if the owner knew the dog might bite, the owner is responsible.
Strict liability helps protect dog bite victims by making it easier to seek justice. But, proving strict liability is not always simple. It requires evidence that the dog’s owner knew of the risk.
Our Manhattan dog bite lawyer can gather this evidence since they know how New York dog bite laws work. We understand the "one bite rule" and how it affects cases.
Let us help you understand your rights. Our team can guide you through the process and fight for your rightful compensation.
Common Injuries From Dog Bites
Here are common injuries that victims of dog bites suffer. These injuries may lead to physical pain and lasting scars, and some may even need ongoing medical treatment.
Lacerations, Scarring, and Infections
Lacerations
A dog bite often leaves deep cuts or tears in the skin. These lacerations may need stitches or even surgery to heal properly. If untreated, they can lead to further complications. Large lacerations are more likely to result in visible scars, permanently affecting the victim’s appearance.
Scarring
Scars from a dog bite can be significant and visible. Scarring is not just physical; it can affect self-confidence, especially when scars are on the face or hands. In some cases, additional medical procedures, like plastic surgery, may be needed to reduce scarring.
Infections
Dog bites frequently lead to infections. Dog saliva contains bacteria that can enter the wound, causing cellulitis or sepsis. Infections from dog bites often need antibiotics and close medical monitoring to prevent the infection from spreading and causing more harm.
Possible Nerve Damage
Dog bites can cause nerve damage. Nerves are delicate, and bites can easily harm them. When nerves are damaged, it affects feeling and movement in that area. This can lead to numbness, pain, or even loss of function. For many dog bite victims, nerve damage is life-changing.
Serious dog bite injuries often require medical treatment to attempt nerve function restoration. However, even with treatment, victims may experience lasting effects.
Nerve damage often means long-term effects that influence daily life. This harm sometimes makes it difficult for victims to work, leading to lost wages.
Our Manhattan dog bite lawyer understands the challenges of nerve damage. We know how to calculate damages for medical expenses and lost wages. Dog bite claims include these important costs to ensure victims get the compensation they need. Let us help you recover after a dog bite injury.
Eye Damage
Dog bites can cause serious harm to the eyes. Eye injuries from a dog attack may lead to vision loss or even blindness. When the eye area is bitten, immediate medical treatment is often required. Dog bite injuries to the eye are painful and can affect a person’s quality of life.
For many dog bite victims, eye damage impacts daily tasks and may lead to higher medical bills. Victims often need follow-up care or therapy, which adds to the costs. The injury may sometimes prevent victims from working, leading to financial strain.
Broken Bones From Knock-Downs or Attacks
Dog attacks can result in broken bones. Larger dogs can knock down a person during an attack, leading to serious injuries. Victims may suffer fractures in their arms, legs, or ribs. Some dog bite cases even involve broken facial bones if the victim is bitten or struck in the face.
Broken bones from a dog bite injury can require extensive medical treatment. Many victims need surgery, casts, or physical therapy. The recovery process is often long and painful. Broken bones may also limit a person’s ability to work.
Additionally, nerve damage can present unique challenges, which our Manhattan dog bite lawyer understands.
Emotional Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
Dog attacks can cause more than physical injuries. Many victims also experience emotional trauma. After a dog bite, it’s common for victims to feel anxious, fearful, or even have flashbacks of the attack.
Some develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can affect daily life. Emotional trauma from dog bites affects a person’s well-being and mental health.
Dealing with emotional trauma often requires professional help. Therapy or counseling may be necessary to help victims manage symptoms and regain confidence. This kind of care adds to medical expenses, and the healing process can take months or even years.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Manhattan
If you are bitten by a dog in Manhattan, follow these steps to protect yourself and your rights:
- Get medical treatment: Seek immediate medical care for any injuries. Dog bites can cause infections, so it’s essential to get checked by a doctor.
- Report the bite: Contact local authorities to report the dog bite. This report helps document the incident and may identify if the dog has a history of aggression.
- Identify the dog’s owner: Find out who owns the dog. Knowing the dog’s owner is essential if you plan to file a dog bite claim for damages.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of your injuries. You should also capture some photos of the location of the incident and, if possible, the dog. These details support your dog bite claim.
- Contact a dog bite lawyer: Speak with a Manhattan dog bite lawyer. An attorney at Davidoff Law can guide you on your legal rights and help pursue compensation for any income loss, medical expenses, and other damages.
What Damages Can You Demand After a Dog Bite?
Dog bite victims can seek monetary compensation for various damages. Medical expenses are often the largest, covering emergency care, follow-up visits, and surgeries. These bills add up quickly. Victims may also face lost wages if they need time off work to recover. This lost income can be a serious burden.
In addition to medical costs and lost wages, victims can demand monetary compensation for pain and suffering.
Emotional trauma from a dog attack is real and can affect daily life. Scarring, permanent injuries, and the need for therapy are also factors.
Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
In many cases, homeowner's insurance does cover dog bites. The insurance may help pay for medical expenses and other damages when a dog bite happens on the owner's property. This coverage can be very helpful for victims, especially when costs are high.
However, not all policies are the same. Some policies exclude coverage for certain breeds or limit the amount they will pay. Dog bite victims should know their rights when dealing with insurance claims. Insurance companies may try to pay as little as possible.
Having a Manhattan dog bite lawyer can make a big difference. An attorney at Davidoff Law can negotiate with insurance adjusters to seek full compensation. If the dog’s owner has homeowner’s insurance, we’ll work to ensure they pay what you deserve.
How a Manhattan Dog Bite Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
You need an experienced legal professional in your corner. Here’s how a dog bite lawyer can help you:
Investigating the Dog’s History and Owner’s Responsibility
A critical part of a dog bite case is investigating the dog’s history. It strengthens your case if the dog has bitten someone before or if the dog owner knew the animal could be dangerous.
Our team collects records, interviews witnesses, and reviews previous complaints. This helps show the owner’s responsibility for the dog bite injuries.
We make sure to document every detail that can support your claim. We can demonstrate how the dog’s owner failed to prevent the attack with thorough research. This evidence is key in pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Calculating Compensation for Medical Bills and Pain
After a dog bite, victims often face costly medical bills. From emergency care to long-term treatment, expenses add up quickly. Our team carefully calculates these costs to ensure fair compensation. We consider current bills and future medical needs related to the dog bite injury. Pain and suffering are also major factors.
Dog bite victims experience physical pain, emotional trauma, and lasting consequences. We include these non-economic damages in your claim. By assessing financial and personal costs, we help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Filing a Claim and Representing You in Negotiations
Filing a dog bite claim can be difficult. Insurance companies may try to deny claims or limit payouts. Our New York dog bite attorney will handle the paperwork and ensure all deadlines are met. We know insurers' tactics and are prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
We aim to get you fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. We're ready to take your case to court if negotiations don’t yield a fair outcome. With our team representing you, you don't have to worry about the legal process.
FAQs
What should I do immediately after a dog bite?
Get medical treatment immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Then, report the bite and contact a Manhattan dog bite lawyer for your rights.
Can I file a claim if the dog has never bitten someone before?
Yes, you can still file a claim. New York has laws that hold dog owners accountable if they know their dog is dangerous.
Does homeowner's insurance cover my medical bills after a dog bite?
In many cases, yes. Homeowner’s insurance often covers dog bite claims, depending on the policy.
What damages can I recover from a dog bite claim?
You can seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Each case is unique, so consulting a lawyer is best.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in New York?
In New York, you typically have three years to file a claim. However, it’s better to start as soon as possible.
Contact Our Manhattan Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Consultation
If you are a dog bite victim, don’t face this alone. Our New York dog bite lawyer at Davidoff Law understands the pain and difficulties you’re experiencing. Every dog bite case is unique, and the legal process can be complex.
Whether the bite was caused by a dangerous dog or an incident involving a New York City dog, we’re here to guide you. We aim to help you receive fair compensation for hospital bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our team is ready to help dog bite victims move forward and regain peace of mind. Call our Manhattan office to discuss your case with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
