Queens Dog Bite Lawyer

Queens Dog Bite Lawyer

Have you or your child suffered a dog attack in Queens, NY? The dog owner should be held accountable for the financial, emotional, and psychological toll you have suffered.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. has represented dog bite victims for more than 40 years. During this time, our firm has recovered multi-million-dollar awards and settlements for our clients. 

Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a Queens dog bite lawyer who will pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help After a Dog Bite In Queens, NY

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help After a Dog Bite In Queens, NY

Dog attacks can be traumatic—physically and emotionally. If a dog bit you, the owner may be liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Queens personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. has over four decades of experience representing injury victims in Queens, New York. We’ve seen it all, and we’ve helped clients recover life-changing compensation for almost every injury imaginable. 

As our valued client, you can expect our Queens personal injury attorneys to:

  • Provide legal guidance and support at every stage of your case
  • Investigate your accident to identify liable parties and their insurance companies
  • Calculate the full extent of your damages, using expert help if necessary
  • Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
  • Take your case to trial if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement

You deserve skilled representation after a dog bite. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a Queens dog bite lawyer.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Queens, New York?

Every year, nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. About 337,000 ER visits per year are related to dog bites, and about 800,000 bites require medical attention.

Children are more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog due to their small stature and inability to recognize aggressiveness in dogs. About 42% of emergency room-treated dog bites involve children under 14. The highest rate of dog bites occurs in children between five and nine. This age range is more likely than older children and adults to suffer bites to the face and neck. 

About 8% of dog bites in the U.S. are work-related. High-risk occupations include mail carriers, food deliverers, animal clinic workers, and service providers.

In New York, there were 6,373 emergency room visits in New York City related to a dog bite in 2014. Between 2015 and 2017, New York City had a dog bite rate of 119.6 bites per 100,000 people. Staten Island had the highest rate of dog bites (199 per capita), followed by Manhattan (144), the Bronx (127), Queens (112), and Brooklyn (91).

What is My Dog Bite Case Worth?

No one can tell you the value of your injury case without a careful investigation of your attack.

To estimate how much your case may be worth, our dog bite lawyers will consider:

  • The circumstances of the attack
  • The severity and type of injuries you sustained
  • The amount of insurance coverage available
  • Your total economic or financial damages
  • How your injuries will impact your ability to work, quality of life, health, and well-being in the future 

Properly valuing a dog bite case may require expert testimony. Young victims’ damages can be particularly difficult to value. The best way to determine your case’s worth is by scheduling a free consultation with an experienced Queens personal injury lawyer.

What Compensation is Available to Dog Bite Victims in New York?

If you cannot show the dog owner was negligent or the dog was dangerous, you may be limited to recovering only the value of your medical expenses. 

Say you can show the dog owner was negligent in controlling the animal or should have known it was dangerous. In this case, you are entitled to seek several types of damages, including:

  • Medical bills, including future medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished or lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement or scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

If you or your child have been hurt in a dog attack, Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. is prepared to fight for the full compensation you deserve from the dog owner.

We Will Fight for Compensation for All Your Dog Bite Injuries

At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we understand the devastating nature of a dog bite. Your injury goes beyond the initial wound; you may be left with psychological trauma and long-term consequences. Dog bites can also become infected and require reconstructive surgery.

A dog bite can be particularly traumatizing for young children. Young children are more likely to suffer disfiguring injuries to their heads and necks. They may face bullying, painful surgery, reduced function, and more.

We are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve for dog bite injuries, including:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Avulsion injuries
  • Contusions
  • Lacerations
  • Crush injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Amputations
  • Infections
  • Disfigurement and scarring 

Do not let an insurance company minimize the severity of your injuries. Call our law office for a free consultation so we can help you.

Are Dog Owners Strictly Liable for Dog Bites in New York?

In some states, there is a “one bite rule,” which only holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bite injuries if they knew their dog was dangerous. This generally means that if it is the first time the dog has bitten someone, the owner is not liable unless there are other grounds. In other states, there is no one bite rule, only strict liability for dog owners.

New York is one of just a few states with a mixed dog bite statute. Under New York’s dog bite law, dog owners are held strictly liable for medical bills when a “dangerous dog” bites someone. 

A dangerous dog is defined as one that has:

  • Killed, attacked, or injured a person, pet, or farm animal without justification, or
  • Behaves in a way that makes a reasonable person believe the dog poses an unjustified, serious risk of harm 

Under this statute, dog owners in New York are only strictly liable for your medical expenses. 

You may be able to recover additional damages, but only if one of the following applies:

  • The dog owner knew or had reason to know the dog was dangerous with a history of vicious or threatening behavior, or
  • The dog owner was negligent in maintaining control of the dog and this caused the attack. 

It can be challenging to prove a dog is dangerous or that the owner had reason to know it.

Can I Recover More than Medical Expenses?

To pursue damages beyond medical expenses, you may show that the dog was dangerous if:

  • The dog bit someone before
  • The dog had a history of fighting with other animals
  • The dog had bared its teeth or growled at people before
  • The dog owner used a muzzle on the dog
  • Complaints had been made about the dog before 

An experienced Queens dog bite lawyer will carefully investigate your case to gather evidence that establishes the dog’s prior behavior and risk. This may involve witness statements, testimony from neighbors, complaints made to police or animal control, and more.

Dog owners have some potential defenses to a dog bite claim in New York. 

A dog owner might not be liable for a dog bite if:

  • The dog was being threatened, tormented, assaulted, abused, or provoked by the person who was injured,
  • The dog was reacting to injury or pain,
  • The dog was protecting its offspring, owner, or home, or
  • The dog was protecting the property from a trespasser or someone committing a crime.

The dog owner is usually financially liable for injuries their animal causes. However, other parties may also share fault. We will investigate your case to determine if other parties may be responsible. This may include the property owner, a dog sitter, a dog walker, and a landlord.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in Queens, NY?

The New York statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is just three years from the date of your attack. If the victim was a child, the statute of limitations may be tolled until the child turns 18. 

It’s crucial to pursue your case as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to preserve key evidence. Delays may weaken your case and make it difficult to recover the compensation you need.

Contact a Queens Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation

A dog attack isn’t just frightening; it can leave you with physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for life. At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we are dedicated to holding dog owners accountable when they are negligent. 

Call our law firm today for a free consultation with a Queens dog bite lawyer prepared to fight for you. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation.