Dog Bites: When do you have a case?
Sep 13, 2017
Do You Have a Dog Bite Case Pursuant to New York Law?
Every year, residents and visitors alike are attacked by dogs. If you sustain a dog bite injury, you may wonder whether you have a case for compensation in New York.
Laws regarding dog bite vary from one state to another. New York combines the features of the two most common types of dog bite liability laws found in the United States. A Coney Island personal injury attorney might refer to New York as being a mixed state when it comes to its dog bite law. Technically speaking, New York law includes the so-called one-bite rule and limited strict liability when it comes to a person pursuing a case based on a dog bite.
In basic terms, an owner of a dog that bites you will be responsible for medical bills and expenses. There can be some exceptions to this general rule. For example, if it is demonstrated that a person taunted or otherwise was physically confrontational with the dog, the owner might be relieved of liability for medical bills. If the dog had no prior history of biting, the extent of compensation in a case would likely be limited to reimbursement for medical bills.
If a dog has been dangerous in the past, if the dog has a history of biting, the so-called one-bite rule can come into play. In that situation, you may be able to pursue a case seeking not only reimbursement for medical expenses, but compensation for other losses like pain and suffering and lost wages.
A Coney Island personal injury lawyer, like a member of the legal team at Levitsky law firm, can assist you in better understanding your legal rights after a dog bite. You can schedule an initial consultation at a time convenient for you.
During an initial consultation, a Coney Island personal injury attorney from the Levitsky law firm will provide an evaluation of your case. A lawyer will explain what compensation may be available to you, based on the facts and circumstances of your case and the extent of your injuries. No fee is charged for an initial consultation in a dog bite case.