Content Reviewed By:
John Richmond, Co-Founding Member
- October 30, 2024
The experience of being bitten by a dog can be frightening, painful, and traumatic. In an instant, an act of violence shatters your sense of safety and leaves physical and emotional scars. If you or a loved one have suffered a dog bite in New York, you deserve justice and compensation to help cover your medical bills and losses.
Finding the right dog bite lawyer in New York can be the first step toward relief and recovery. You have a right to seek justice and recompense following this traumatic event.
The New York premises liability attorneys of Richmond Vona, LLC can help guide you through the legal process, build a strong case, and recover the maximum compensation to help you move forward after such an unsettling experience.
Who Will Pay for My Injuries in a Dog Bite Claim?
In New York, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries or damage caused by their animals. Victims of dog bites may be eligible for financial compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages associated with the incident.
Typically, the dog owner’s insurance policy will cover the costs of your injuries. However, insurance companies for negligent dog owners will often try to minimize their liability or deny valid claims altogether.
You should not accept a settlement offer without first consulting a lawyer experienced in New York dog bite claims. If the settlement is too low, you could be stuck with unpaid medical expenses and losses. Once a settlement is accepted, you forfeit your right to further compensation or legal action.
An experienced dog bite attorney can fight to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
How Is Compensation Determined in a Dog Bite Claim in New York?
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an animal attack, you have likely experienced shock, injury, and financial hardship. Many dog bite victims are naturally curious about how much compensation they may collect and how different factors can impact the value of their case.
Your New York dog bite lawyer will calculate the potential compensation you may receive by looking at the specific details of your case and evaluating many factors.
Here are some factors that can affect the compensation a victim receives in a dog bite or personal injury case:
When Can You Step Outside of the No-Fault System?
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an animal attack, you have likely experienced shock, injury, and financial hardship. Many dog bite victims are naturally curious about how much compensation they may collect and how different factors can impact the value of their case.
Your New York dog bite lawyer will calculate the potential compensation you may receive by looking at the specific details of your case and evaluating many factors.
Here are some factors that can affect the compensation a victim receives in a dog bite or personal injury case:
Severity of Injuries
More serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation will generally result in higher compensation. Permanent injuries and disfigurement also increase compensation.
Extent of Medical Costs
Victims are entitled to compensation for all reasonable past and future medical costs associated with treating their injuries. Higher medical costs generally mean higher potential compensation.
Loss of Income
Victims who miss work due to their injuries and endure reduced future earning capacity can seek compensation for lost wages. This may include time off work for healing, treatment, doctor’s appointments, and the loss of wages in the future should you become disabled.
Pain and Suffering
Courts will award higher amounts for compensation for intangible damages like pain, mental anguish, permanent loss of enjoyment of life, and disability when injuries are severe and impacts are significant. A New York dog bite attorney can help you estimate these damages.
Victim’s Age
Younger victims tend to receive higher compensation awards compared to older victims, sometimes due to longer life expectancies and greater projected lost income or earning potential over time.
Expert Testimony
Having medical experts and economists provide testimony to establish the nature and extent of the victim’s injuries, treatment needs, and economic losses can help strengthen the case for higher compensation.
Settlement Offers
The amount the dog owner or insurance company is willing to pay in an attempt to settle the case before trial can influence the potential compensation amount. Your New York dog attack lawyer will negotiate aggressively when settlement offers are inadequate and may take your case to court if warranted.
Jury Verdicts in Previously Resolved Cases
Results from past jury trials in similar cases provide a point of comparison that can affect compensation amounts in settlement negotiations. A personal injury lawyer will investigate these results to arrive at a more accurate estimate.
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Does New York Have a One Bite Rule?
New York has adopted a “mixed state” approach to dog bite liability that incorporates elements of strict liability and the one-bite rule. A one-bite rule means that every dog is typically given one “free” bite before an owner may be held liable for damages.
Once this initial warning is acknowledged, owners can then be held responsible for any subsequent bites due to negligence.
Two approaches are combined in New York. New York serves as a true “one bite” rule state for damages outside of medical expenses, however, all medical costs are subject to strict liability. This means that the liable party is responsible for your medical care costs regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone previously.
Contact a Dog Bite Injury Law Firm in New York For A Free Consultation
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm, often resulting in medical expenses, pain, and suffering. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog bite incident in New York, it’s crucial to understand your rights and seek legal representation.
A premises liability lawyer with Richmond Vona, LLC can provide the necessary guidance and support to help you navigate through the legal process and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
