Experiencing a dog bite can be both physically painful and emotionally distressing, leaving you with lingering questions about your rights and next steps. As a victim in Manhattan, you may feel uncertain about how to navigate the complexities of a dog bite claim. Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for securing the compensation you deserve.
In this article, you can discover…
I have handled many dog bites over the years, from relatively minor injuries to catastrophic injuries that required hospitalization and multiple surgeries. I have represented dog bite victims who were children and others who were adults – and I’ve been able to obtain significant recoveries for these victims, helping cover not only medical damages but compensation for any disfigurement and the emotional and psychological toll of the attack.
It is important to be able to show that the dog had vicious tendencies and that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had those traits and could be a threat. For instance, if the dog had previously bitten someone, or was known for unprovoked growling or snarling.
Your attorney can seek out evidence of past viscous behavior to help prove your case. Veterinary records, police reports, Department of Health records, and neighbors’ witness statements can all be helpful sources of information about a dog’s behavior, past, and temperament.
The “one bite law” states that a dog’s previous biting behavior, even if it happened only once or many years ago, should serve as a sufficient warning to an owner that the dog had a vicious disposition and could bite again.
This helps prove the owner’s knowledge of their dog’s potential aggression, and their negligence in preventing future bites or attacks.
Attorney David Kapelman is an accomplished personal injury lawyer serving New York. For over 35 years, he’s helped clients just like you get the damages, help, and closure they need following a dog bite or dog attack.
Have questions, or in need of exceptional representation? Reach out to The Law Offices of David A. Kapelman, P.C. at (212) 563-2010 for a free consultation today.
Often, the most difficult aspect of a claim to prove is that the owner had previous knowledge of their dog’s aggressive or dangerous tendencies. In many cases, the bite victim is not well known to the dog, and the owner might claim that their dog has never reacted this way before. They may also blame the bite victim for causing the attack.
In these cases, a diligent dog bite injury attorney will turn to neighbors, veterinary records, and police records to help prove that the dog had vicious tendencies that the owner should have known about or did know about.
For example, a dog’s owner may claim that their dog is consistently calm and friendly and has never been aggressive in the past. But a neighbor is able to verify that the dog spends most of its days barking, growling, and trying to leap at passers-by from behind a fence. That changes things considerably, and can significantly help support a victim’s case.
In some cases, the dog’s owner is uninsured or has insufficient coverage to properly compensate bite victims. In these cases, I’ve reviewed the dog owner’s assets and used those assets to help cover damages. If the liable party has the resources to do so, I’ll make sure they contribute to the settlement.
After evidence is gathered, your attorney will sit down with the dog owner’s insurance company and seek to negotiate a settlement. This process can take several months or many years, depending on the extent of your injuries, how cooperative the insurance company is, or whether you and your attorney feel it is appropriate to go to trial.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in New York, get prompt and thorough medical attention. Then, reach out to an experienced and diligent personal injury lawyer to review the facts of your case, protect your rights, and seek the damages your case deserves.
For more information on Dog Bite Incidents In Manhattan, NY, a free consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (212) 563-2010 today.
Attorney David Kapelman is an accomplished personal injury lawyer serving New York. For over 35 years, he’s helped clients just like you get the damages, help, and closure they need following a dog bite or dog attack.
Have questions, or in need of exceptional representation? Reach out to The Law Offices of David A. Kapelman, P.C. at (212) 563-2010 for a free consultation today.