Dogs remain the most popular pets in America for a good reason. Even so, it is important to remember that dogs are animals that require discipline and control. The injuries that result from dog bites are often serious and have the potential to negatively impact an individual’s emotional well-being and ability to earn a living on top of their physical health. In many situations, a dog’s owner may be responsible for covering these losses.
A Cheektowaga dog bite lawyer can help you through the process of establishing liability. At Richmond Vona, LLC, our esteemed personal injury attorneys will work to ensure you understand your legal options and responsibilities while fighting on your behalf to protect your right to compensation.
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Dog Attack Laws
Dog bite laws in New York combine the one-bite rule with a limited degree of strict liability, which means that an owner is not automatically responsible for a dog attack. Under New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 (10), injured people can demand compensation from a dog’s owner only after they have established specific criteria.
This means the burden lies on the victim of the bite to show that the animal has attacked someone else in the past or has a history of other vicious behavior that the owner knew or should have known about. They must also be able to prove that they were not trespassing on private property or provoking the canine in any way at the time of the attack.
Our qualified Cheektowaga attorneys can uncover the necessary evidence to support fault and leverage it into a comprehensive demand for compensation.
Dog Bite Damages
Dog bites can result in serious injuries that impact all parts of a victim’s life. They may require extensive ongoing medical care, corrective surgeries, rehabilitative therapy, or be left with a permanent disability. A settlement negotiation will center around these physical effects to provide the reimbursement needed to cover any and all past and future medical bills related to the attack. These are considered economic damages and can also include lost wages from missing time at work while recovering or seeking treatment.
The event may also leave an individual with emotional and psychological traumas. This might include anxiety, PTSD, depression, disfigurement, and an overall loss of enjoyment of life. These losses are considered non-economic and are more complicated to assign a monetary value to. Our Cheektowaga attorneys will listen to fully understand the ways a dog bite has affected an injured party’s life to draft a settlement demand that adequately reflects their needs. In some instances, economic experts may be utilized to further assist with this process.
Reach Out to a Cheektowaga Dog Bite Attorney Today
Animal attacks are traumatic events that can take a substantial amount of time to recover from physically and mentally. While no amount of compensation can undo this difficult time in your life, it could provide you with the resources you need to get through it without adding additional financial struggles to an already stressful time.
A tenacious Cheektowaga dog bite lawyer from Richmond Vona LLC can help you with the process of moving forward. Our dedicated attorneys will take the lead in discovering evidence, establishing liability, drafting and negotiating fair settlement demands, and ensuring your rights are understood and protected through every step. Call today for a free consultation.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
