Queens Dog Bite Lawyer

Representing Injured Victims in Queens and Throughout New York City

Whether you’re an animal lover or not, being attacked by a dog is something that nobody plans for. While America’s favorite pet, some dogs have a propensity towards viciousness, and others may attack if they feel threatened or scared. Though dogs have earned their reputation as “man’s best friend”, the simple reality is that they also have the potential to be extremely dangerous when proper safety precautions are not taken. Dog owners and third parties may be liable for an attack.

At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP, our Queens dog bite lawyers recognize how traumatic and terrifying a dog attack is. With a deep knowledge of New York’s dog bite laws, our legal team helps injured victims and their families get justice and financial compensation. If you’ve been attacked by a dog in Queens, please don’t hesitate to call our law firm for the legal support and guidance that you need. You can reach our lawyers by phone or online for your free consultation.

How Common are Dog Bite Injuries?

Dog bite injuries are far more common than most people realize. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites nationwide each year. While the majority of dog bites are thankfully minor, there are many dog bite incidents that lead to severe injuries—or worse. The AVMA reports that more than 750,000 people seek medical attention for dog bite injuries in the United States each year.

Four Steps to Take After Being Bitten By a Dog In New York

Were you or your loved one attacked by a dog in New York City? It is essential that you take immediate action to do what is best for the health and safety of you and your family. Here are four key steps that you need to take if you suffer a serious dog bite injury in Queens:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Any Injuries: All serious dog bite injuries require immediate emergency medical attention. You should always seek medical care for a dog bite injury that punctures the skin. The risk of infection is a very serious concern with dog bites.
2. Notify the Dog Owner and/or Responsible Third Parties: Make sure that the dog owner is aware that the attack occurred. You may also want to notify other third parties that may bear liability. For example, the owner of an apartment building where an attack occurred should likely also be notified.
3. Document the Dog Bite Attack: To the best of your ability, you should document the dog bite incident. The more evidence you have regarding how and why the attack occurred—as well as the extent of your injuries—the easier it will be to bring a legal claim.
4. Consult With a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Before an Insurance Adjuster: Many dog bite injury claims are handled/defended by property insurance companies. You can trust a big insurance company to protect your best interests. Always speak to a Queens dog bite injury lawyer before giving an official statement to an insurance company.

Damages from a Dog Bite

The long-term damages that a person may suffer as a result of a dog bite depend on numerous factors, including for how long the dog attacked, the size of the dog, the area of the bite, the medical treatment received right after the bite, and more. Potential injuries and losses suffered as a result of a dog bite in Queens include, but are not limited to:

• Traumatic brain injury. While a traumatic brain injury may not be a result of being bitten by a dog, if a person is attacked by a dog and falls, they could hit their head in the process, resulting in this injury type.
• Internal injuries. Internal injuries may happen if the dog attacks and bites to the point that internal organs are impacted, or if a person fractures a rib in the process of the attack (i.e. from falling), which then punctures an internal organ, such as a lung.
• Broken bones. A bone fracture may occur if a person falls with enough force as a result of the attack to fracture a bone, or if the dog bites with enough force to fracture a bone. The jaws of many dogs are indeed strong enough to cause bone fractures – a terrifying thought.
• If a person is bitten by a dog, bleeding will likely be an immediate consequence. In some cases, bleeding could be severe, putting a person at risk of fatal blood loss.
• Open wounds can lead to infections, especially if the dog is carrying any diseases, such as rabies. Immediate treatment after a dog bite to reduce the risk of infection is very important for this reason.
• Scarring and disfigurement. When a dog bite occurs, the results may be scarring and disfigurement that impact a person for the remainder of their life.
• Soft tissue injuries. Falling (from the dog attack) as well as being bitten in certain locations on the body can lead to soft tissue injuries.
• Psychological injuries. Finally, a person who suffers a serious dog bite likely will not only have physical injuries, but also psychological injuries as well. These might include depression related to the long-term consequences of their injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fear of dogs.

Of course, the above injuries also lead to high medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you’ve been attacked by a dog and seriously harmed, our Queens dog bite lawyers will advocate for you and help you in recovering your full settlement award.

Liability for a Dog Bite in Queens

Navigating New York’s dog bite law can be complicated for someone without legal training. The state of New York has both a strict liability statute for damages resulting from a dog bite, but also recognizes common law recovery.

New York’s dog bite statute holds that the owner of a dangerous dog will be held liable for medical costs (and only medical costs) result from the dog bite when the dog:

1. Attacks and injures or kills a person or another animal; or
2. Acts in a manner that a reasonable person would find poses a serious and unjustified threat of serious physical injury or death.

So, if you’re attacked by a dangerous dog, then you can hold the owner of the dog liable for your medical expenses. But what about other losses, such as the value of your lost wages or pain and suffering?

For these damages, you’ll need to prove that the owner of the dog acted negligently, and the negligence was the proximate cause of your harm. For example, if the owner of the dog knew that the dog was a dangerous dog and yet failed to restrain the dog–or attempt to restrain the dog–in a public place in order to prevent a bite, the owner could be held liable for other damages, too.

Recovering Compensation for a Dog Bite

Following an attack by a dangerous dog, it is crucial that you and your family are able to secure the full financial support that is available under New York law. Your ability to recover compensation will depend on many different factors, including your ability to establish liability (negligence). Additionally, as dog bite injury damages are generally compensatory in nature, you will need to prove the extent of your economic and intangible losses. Our Queens dog bite injury lawyers fight hard to hold negligent dog owners, negligent third parties, and insurers accountable. We can help victims seek compensation for:

• Emergency medical treatment;
• Other medical bills and expenses;
• Mental health counseling;
• Lost wages and loss of earning power;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental distress;
• Permanent scarring; and
• Wrongful death of a family member.

How Our Queens Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Can Help

Dog bite accident claims are complicated. You and your family do not have to try to figure out the entire claims process alone. At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we have professional skills that you can trust. When you contact us at our Queens law office, you will have an opportunity to consult with a New York City dog bite injury attorney who can:

• Hear your story and answer questions about New York’s dog bite laws;
• Investigate the attack, gathering all of the evidence that you need;
• Connect with the right doctors and prepare your medical records;
• Handle all settlement negotiations with the insurance companies; and
• Take proactive measures to get your family justice and full financial support.

Every dog bite injury claim should be handled with personalized attention. Our Queens dog bite lawyers will put the time and resources forward to handle your case the right way. With a history of client testimonials and case results, injured victims rely on our law firm when they need legal representation the most.

Call Our Dog Bite Lawyer in Queens Today

At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, our Queens personal injury attorneys have deep experience handling dog bite claims. If you’ve been attacked by a dog, our Queens dog bite lawyers can help you to recover the compensation that you deserve. Call our law firm directly today for a free consultation and information about your options and how we can assist you. Reach us at 718-843-0300. With an office in Queens and offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn, we are well-positioned to represent dog bite victims throughout the entire region.