Dogs are popular pets. People often bring them into their homes for companionship, to provide protection, or to work as service animals. As helpful and rewarding as dog ownership can be, it also comes with obligations. Every dog owner has a responsibility under the law to ensure that the animal does not pose undue harm to others. Failures to adhere to this duty that result in an attack might leave that person liable for resulting damages.
Individuals who suffer injuries after canine attacks have the right to seek compensation for their losses. This can include payments for medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost income. A Derby dog bite lawyer can help with this process. At Richmond Vona, LLC, our talented personal injury attorneys can explain New York’s dog bite laws, identify what evidence you need, and demand fair payments from liable dog owners. Call our firm today.
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Dog Bite Laws in New York
This state requires dog owners to retain strict control over their animals. However, the mere fact that another person’s dog was involved in an attack does not automatically mean that an owner is liable for the resulting damage.
New York does not have breed-specific criteria for whether a dog is “dangerous.” For a dog’s owner to be held liable for damage that results from an animal attack, the injured party must establish that the canine bit someone else in the past or displayed vicious behavior that the owner should have reasonably been aware of. Injured individuals must also be able to prove that they did not provoke the dog at the time of the bite.
Determining whether a dog’s owner has information about an animal’s violent past is crucial when seeking compensation after an attack. A Derby dog bite attorney is prepared to investigate the details of an event to help determine and establish liability.
Compensation for a Canine Attack
Once a person demonstrates that a dog owner is at fault for allowing a bite to occur, they need to show how the bite has impacted their life. The most obvious effect is the resulting physical injuries. The bites themselves typically require a person to seek care for open wounds. This could involve getting a rabies shot, stitches, or long-term wound care. Dog owners must provide payments to cover the cost of all applicable treatments.
Dog bites can also be traumatic events. They may leave a person unwilling to be near animals, suffering from nightmares, experiencing flashbacks regarding the incident, or with disfiguring scars. A claim for compensation can seek out non-economic damages to cover this lost quality of life.
Additionally, if the incident forces a person to miss work, they can demand reimbursement for lost income. A skilled Derby attorney will listen to understand how a dog attack has changed a person’s finances, physical health, and emotional well-being to craft a settlement package that reflects their needs.
Contact a Derby Dog Bite Attorney for Trusted Legal Advice
Animal attacks are traumatic experiences. A Derby dog bite lawyer from Richmond Vona, LLC is here to help. Our team can take the lead to prove fault for the bite, determine how the event changed your life, and demand that dog owners provide appropriate payments to cover your losses. Speak with us today to get started. Consultations are always free.
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.
