 Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs or attacked by other animals. Dog bite/animal attacks claims fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, where the injured party has the legal right to seek compensation for injuries caused by another party's actions or negligence. Being attacked by a dog or other animal is usually terrifying. The physical injuries from an attack can leave a victim severely traumatized and injured, with substantial medical and hospital expenses, as well as the distinct possibility of psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder from an attack. When a child is the victim, the injuries can be fatal. The Law Office of Zelenetsky & Associates, P.C., with offices in White Plains, the Bronx, and a satellite office in Peekskill represents clients in Westchester County, the lower Hudson Valley and throughout New York State for injuries caused by animal attacks. These injuries can include disfigurement, torn ligaments, scarring and even death. In addition to the physical injuries, there are frequently severe and substantial emotional and psychological injuries from the trauma of the event. We will seek to hold dog and other animal owners accountable for all of the physical and emotional injuries they cause our clients. Additionally, in cases where owners of vicious animals do not have insurance, we retain the necessary experts where needed to determine if the owner of the vicious animal has assets to satisfy a judgment on our client’s behalf. If you are involved in a dog bite incident it is important to first establish if medical treatment is necessary. Gaining pertinent information about the dog, its owner, and any witnesses is also crucial. You should also report the incident to local police or animal control authorities. Dog bite law varies by place and circumstance and also may include a limitation on the time you have to file a legal claim. In general, a dog bite victim has the right to seek injury compensation from any party whose negligence caused the dog bite attack, any party in violation on leash or restraint laws, and any party who knowingly harbors a dog with a history of biting people. If a dog has bitten you, you may be entitled to recover damages as a result of this injury. Determining your legal rights, however, can be complicated. It may be unclear who you should bring a claim against and the damages to which you are entitled. To ensure that you receive just compensation, consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to discuss your situation and your legal right to compensation for your injuries. Contact our personal injury attorneys to arrange a consultation. New York State has very specific regulations and common law which requires that for an owner of a dog to be legally responsible for injuries that dog inflicts on someone, the owner of that animal must be aware prior to the attack of the dangerous and “vicious propensities” of the animal. Having represented hundreds of victims of animal attacks over the last 28 years, our firm has the necessary experience to successfully represent our clients in obtaining full compensation for their injuries by settlement, mediation, arbitration or verdict in Court. In cases involving dog or other animal attacks, it is vital that the behavior of the dog or animal be documented if at all possible. This would include taking immediate photographs of the injuries, before any healing has taken place; taking photographs or videotapes of the animal involved; and obtaining copies of all getting the veterinary records and licensing records for the dog, and all medical and hospital records. Steps to Avoid Your Dog Attacking Someone:For those who are dog owners, we recommend the following, in order to minimize the possibility that your dog will attack someone: - Spay or neuter your pet;
- Never leave small children or babies alone with a dog;
- Teach your dog not to play roughly;
- Enroll your dog in obedience classes until it can obey voice commands;
- Make sure your dog has received its vaccinations; and
- Do not allow your dog to roam freely; keep it in a fenced yard.
Some simple safety tips include: - Leave strange dogs/animals alone;
- Never approach a dog while it is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies;
- Never try to pet a dog until it sees and smells you;
- Never run from a dog, be aggressive with it, or stare it in the eyes;
- If a dog does attack you, remain still;
- To protect yourself, roll into a ball if a dog knocks you down;
- Seek help as soon as possible after an attack; and
- Seek medical assistance before trying to find the owner
If you have been the victim of a dog bite or other animal attack, seek the necessary medical assistance and then contact our firm for a free, caring, and confidential assessment of your claim. |