This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.
At Davidoff Law, our Queens dog bite nerve damage lawyer helps dog bite victims with serious injuries. We focus on nerve damage that can permanently affect movement and feeling. Our law firm helps injured clients get financial compensation for medical bills and lost wages. We also cover ongoing medical treatment and emotional trauma after a dog bite incident in Queens, New York City.
Our Queens Dog Bite Lawyer Will Fight for Your Rights
Dog bite injuries can cause major harm, including nerve damage. This affects how you move and feel things. It also impacts your long-term quality of life. Davidoff Law provides robust legal representation for injured clients. We help hold negligent dog owners accountable through dog bite claims under New York law.
We handle every step of the legal process. This includes investigating how the bite occurred and gathering medical records. We prove that negligent owners failed to take reasonable steps. Our Queens dog bite attorneys fight for financial compensation to cover medical expenses and ongoing medical treatment.
Table of Contents
Why Dog Bite Nerve Damage Cases Are Serious
Nerve damage from a dog attack can cause permanent problems. These include permanent scarring, chronic pain, and muscle weakness. You may lose all feeling in the affected area. These serious injuries often impact your ability to work and care for yourself. Daily tasks like lifting, cooking, or driving become hard.
Unlike minor dog bite injuries, nerve damage needs multiple surgeries. You may need ongoing medical treatment and a long recovery with physical therapy. Some victims need special devices or home changes to stay independent. They also face a high risk of emotional distress and mental health problems. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common due to pain and lasting disability from the dog bite case.
Common Areas of Nerve Damage After a Dog Bite
Nerve damage often happens where deep puncture wounds are most likely. Hands, arms, legs, and face are at high risk during a dog attack. This is especially true when a dangerous dog shows vicious behavior. It also happens when the dog owner fails to restrain the animal.
Hands and Arms: Victims often use their arms to defend themselves. This results in physical injuries, cuts, and nerve damage that affect grip and movement. Some injuries need ongoing medical treatment and occupational therapy.
Face and Neck: Facial bites can damage important nerves. This leads to permanent scarring and loss of feeling. It also causes functional problems and severe emotional trauma. Many victims need mental health support.
Legs and Feet: Lower body bites happen if a dog caused a fall or the attack happened suddenly. Nerve damage here affects walking and balance. It often requires medical attention and physical therapy.
These dog bite case situations often involve proving that the dog owner had prior knowledge of the dog's behavior. Our personal injury lawyer team can prove negligence. We can also show that the owner should be held strictly liable under the one-bite rule in New York dog bite laws.
Understanding Nerve Damage in Dog Bite Cases
Nerve damage from a dog bite can range from temporary numbness to permanent paralysis. Understanding how these injuries develop helps your dog bite injury lawyer show the severity. This helps explain medical implications and secure financial compensation for medical costs and long-term care in a dog bite case.
Types of Nerve Damage
Common types of nerve injuries include:
Peripheral nerve injuries: These affect nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. They often cause tingling, weakness, or numbness.
Sensory nerve injuries: These lead to loss of feeling or heightened pain sensitivity. They can cause chronic discomfort in the affected area.
Motor nerve injuries: Damage to motor nerves can cause partial or total loss of movement. This impacts daily function and requires ongoing medical treatment.
These injuries often need detailed medical records and nerve testing. You need support from a local attorney and legal team to link the injury law claim to the dog bite incident under New York dog bite laws.
Long-Term Problems from Nerve Injuries
Possible problems include chronic pain, tingling, and loss of mobility or function. You may face permanent disability and emotional distress. These consequences often increase medical costs and may lead to lost wages. You may need more compensation.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Causing Nerve Damage
Taking the right steps after a dog bite can protect your health and strengthen your claim. Quick care, detailed evidence collection, and immediate legal guidance help your law firm build a strong case. Parents should carefully document all injuries and steps taken after the incident.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Seek medical attention immediately to find potential nerve damage and prevent infection. Early testing and quick treatment are critical to reduce long-term harm. Doctors may order imaging tests, nerve studies, and wound care to limit problems. Document every medical treatment from the ER visit to follow-up care. This forms the foundation of your dog bite claims under New York law.
Report the Bite and Save Evidence
Notify animal control and local authorities to ensure the incident is officially recorded. File a report to document the dog's behavior and any prior knowledge of aggressive behavior. Take multiple photos and videos of injuries, the location, and the dog, if possible. Save medical records, gather witness statements, and keep a timeline of events. Talk to a personal injury attorney for a free consultation to ensure all evidence is saved and liability is clearly established.
New York Dog Bite Laws and Nerve Damage Claims
New York combines strict liability for known dangerous dogs with negligence standards. Understanding these rules helps dog bite victims recover damages for nerve injuries and other serious injuries. These laws protect the public from aggressive behavior. They ensure negligent dog owners are held accountable for injuries caused by their pets.
Strict Liability for Dangerous Dogs
Under New York dog bite laws, an owner can be held strictly liable if their dog has a history of aggressive behavior. The owner must have prior knowledge of dangerous tendencies. This allows victims to recover medical costs and other damages without proving negligence. This approach is critical in nerve damage cases where proving harm is already challenging.
Victims may also recover for ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This applies if the dog's history or vicious behavior is well-documented. Understanding these rules can strengthen a dog bite claim.
Proving Negligence in Nerve Injury Cases
If the dog was not legally classified as dangerous, victims can still recover damages. You must show that negligent owners failed to restrain or control the dog. Proving failure to take reasonable steps shows the dog owner failed their duty. This includes leash use, secure fencing, or containment. Getting animal control reports, witness statements, and medical records helps Queens dog bite lawyers secure financial compensation for long-term nerve damage.
Filing a Dog Bite Nerve Damage Lawsuit in Queens
A lawsuit may be necessary if insurance does not fully cover your damages. Knowing the legal process prepares you for pursuing maximum compensation. It ensures injury law requirements are met.
Timeline and Key Legal Steps
The process starts with investigation and evidence collection. This includes medical records, photos, and dog behavior reports. Your dog bite attorney then files a claim and may go to court if insurers fail to provide a fair settlement.
Importance of Medical Documentation
Complete medical documentation is crucial for proving nerve injury severity and long-term impact. Records of medical treatment and ongoing medical treatment help your legal team show the full value of your claim. This applies in court or settlement negotiations.
Compensation Available for Dog Bite Nerve Damage Victims
Victims with nerve damage can recover compensation for financial losses and long-term suffering. Here are the key types of damages available in these cases.
Medical Expenses and Lost Wages
Compensation may include surgery, rehab, physical therapy, and hospital stays. It also covers the cost of ongoing medical treatment. Families can also recover lost wages and income if injuries limit work or require a long recovery time.
Pain, Suffering, and Permanent Problems
Damages also cover emotional distress and mental health treatment. They include reduced quality of life. Victims with permanent problems, mobility issues, or loss of hand use may get compensation for lasting functional and emotional challenges.
How Davidoff Law Supports Dog Bite Nerve Damage Victims
Davidoff Law provides skilled legal representation for nerve damage victims. We investigate the attack and negotiate with insurers. We prepare for trial if necessary. Our dog bite attorneys take a hands-on approach. We communicate regularly with clients and explain each step of the legal process.
Building a Strong Liability Case
Our legal team gathers witness statements, photos, and animal control reports. We also get veterinary records and expert testimony to establish fault. We analyze the dog's behavior, history of aggressive behavior, and any prior knowledge by the owner. This thorough approach strengthens the dog bite case and helps prove negligence. It secures financial compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Negotiating for Maximum Recovery
We pursue settlement strategies that aim for full and fair compensation. This includes ongoing medical treatment and any damages for permanent impairment. If insurance companies resist or offer unfair amounts, we are fully prepared for trial. We use expert witnesses and complete evidence to get maximum recovery for injured clients in Queens, New York City. Our goal is to relieve clients of stress so they can focus on healing while we fight for their rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dog bite really cause permanent nerve damage?
Yes, a severe dog bite can damage sensory or motor nerves permanently. This sometimes requires surgery and long-term therapy to restore partial function and reduce problems.
Who is liable for my nerve damage after a dog bite?
Usually, the dog owner is under New York dog bite law. Liability may be based on strict liability for known dangerous dogs. It may also be negligence if the dog owner fails to restrain the animal.
What damages can I recover for nerve injuries?
You may recover medical costs, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You can also get emotional distress compensation and other financial compensation for the long-term effects of nerve damage.
Do I need a lawyer for a nerve damage case?
Yes. These cases are complex and need an experienced dog bite lawyer or personal injury attorney. They investigate, gather evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies.
How long do I have to file a claim in New York?
Generally, three years under New York law. But sooner is recommended to preserve evidence and strengthen your dog bite case for maximum recovery.
Will my case go to trial?
Many dog bite cases settle outside court. But Davidoff Law is always prepared for trial to secure the best outcome for injured clients.
Contact Our Queens Dog Bite Nerve Damage Lawyer for Free Consultation
If you suffered nerve damage after a dog bite, Davidoff Law is ready to help. We offer free consultation and only collect fees if we win your case.
Call us today to speak with an experienced Queens dog bite lawyer. Acting quickly protects your rights, preserves evidence, and helps you pursue full financial compensation for your injuries.
Ruben Davidoff, founder of Davidoff Law, established his practice in 2012 after moving to Queens in 1988 and beginning his legal career in 1997. Admitted in NY State and the US District Court for the Eastern District of NY, he has extensive experience in personal injury, handling various cases like airline crashes, auto accidents, and slip/trip and fall cases. Mr. Davidoff provides personalized attention, recovering millions for clients through settlements or verdicts, leveraging decades of experience.
