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Dog Bite Accident Attorney New York, Ny
HomeDog Bite Accident Attorney New York, Ny

How a New York Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
Dog Bite Victims

Dog Bite

Everybody loves those warm, furry, cuddly creatures known as dogs, and a majority of people have adopted dogs to live in their homes with them as part of the family unit. They’re our companions through thick and thin, and they give us unconditional love and friendship. We all know that dogs, in general, are loyal, playful, comforting, and fun to interact with and be around. But sometimes, they bite, and when this happens there is the risk of injury to the victim as a result of a dog bite incident. Dogs can inflict serious injury on a victim since their powerful jaws can cause scarring, blood loss, muscle or nerve damage and other injuries that can involve expensive or painful medical treatment. When this happens, it’s time to learn about how a New York dog bite lawyer can help a dog bite victim to recover a fair compensation for the loss. Of course, you can’t sue the dog itself if you’ve been bitten or injured by a canine, but you may be able to sue its owner, who is legally liable for the action of the dog at all times. The legal professionals at the Law Offices of G. Oliver Koppell & Associates will evaluate your dog bite case, to determine how best to get the compensation for your injuries that you need and deserve in these types of cases.

Definition of a "Dangerous Dog"

In the state of New York, a “dangerous dog” is one that attacks and injures, kills a person or another pet or one that behaves in such a way that a reasonable person would believe that the dog in question, without any provocation, is a threat of injury or death to the welfare of others. If a dog, however, is somehow justified in its aggressiveness or in the attack, in that case, it is not considered a “dangerous dog.” For example, if someone was bullying or teasing the dog or trespassing on the dog owner’s property and the dog attacked, this would be justifiable, and the dog would not be considered dangerous to others in that case.

When a Dog Bite Victim Can Sue

New York law says that a dog owner is liable for injuries that his dog causes to another person, pet, or farm animal for all medical damages that occurred as a result of the dog bite. This liability is there no matter what, even if the dog owner took every precaution to prevent the dog from attacking another animal or human being. However, this liability stops at non-medical damages like lost wages, pain, and suffering or similar recoverable compensation.

To be compensated for non-medical damages, the plaintiff (person filing the lawsuit) must somehow prove that the dog’s owner was negligent in the handling of the dog. For example, suppose a big dog hops over a fence and goes into a neighbor’s yard while chasing a rabbit and, in the process, manages to knock over an expensive statue, destroying it. To get compensation for the statue, the neighbor must be able to show that the dog owner was somehow negligent in letting the dog get over the fence.

Possible Criminal Penalties

It is even possible that a dog owner whose dog injures someone may face criminal penalties. Usually, this does not go beyond a misdemeanor, but if the dog bite injury is serious, the victim may also be able to file a civil personal injury lawsuit. A dog owner may be charged with a misdemeanor if:

  • The dog was known to be “dangerous.”
  • The dog owner knew it was dangerous, and negligently allowed the dog to bite someone.
  • The resulting injury was serious, causing death, disfigurement, or prolonged impairment of health.

Such a criminal charge may result in fines of up to $3000 or jail time of up to ninety days.

G. Oliver Koppell

Call to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer in New York Today

If you’ve been injured by a dog, call to schedule a free consultation with a dog bite lawyer in New York today. The legal professionals at the Law Offices of G. Oliver Koppell & Associates have over 40 years of experience working with personal injury cases and are dedicated to serving you. We serve the cities of Yonkers, Nassau, Westchester, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and surrounding New York communities. Call us at 800- 544-0484 and let us guide you through this legal journey to find a successful resolution and acceptable conclusion for your loss.

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