Staten Island Dog Bite Lawyer

Staten Island Dog Bite Lawyer

Were you or a loved one attacked by a dog in Staten Island, NY? You may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. An experienced Staten Island dog bite lawyer at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. can fight to secure the full financial recovery you deserve. 

With more than 40 years of experience behind us, you can trust that we’ll work hard to recover the maximum compensation available for your family.

We have the skill and resources to take on the insurance company. All you have to do is call our law offices in Staten Island, New York, to schedule a free consultation today.

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help After a Dog Bite in Staten Island

How Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. Can Help After a Dog Bite in Staten Island

Personal injury victims are often tempted to accept the first settlement offer on the table.

It can be overwhelming to think about a heated legal battle when you’re hurt. It can be even more difficult if your child was hurt.

You deserve time to focus on your recovery if a dog bit you. However, that recovery time shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial future. An experienced Staten Island personal injury lawyer can handle the legal aspects of your case.

When you trust Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. with protecting your legal rights, you can expect an attorney who will:

  • Launch a full investigation to determine whether the dog has displayed any past vicious tendencies
  • Defend you if the insurance company tries to blame you or your child for provoking the dog using New York contributory fault rules
  • Identify all responsible parties who might share blame for your injuries
  • Hire experts who can offer insight into the true value of your injury claim
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies to win a full financial recovery

Even if you’ve been around dogs your whole life, you’ve probably never been seriously injured by a dog bite. Having someone with experience handling the legal issues on your side can make all the difference in the world when it comes to getting fair compensation. If you were hurt and are interested in learning more, call our trusted Staten Island personal injury attorneys today.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Staten Island?

How Common Are Dog Bites in Staten Island?

According to a recent study, about 4,000 dog bites are reported each year in New York City. It might surprise you that Staten Island tops the list when it comes to reported dog bites.

Between 2015 and 2017, 1,000 dog attacks were reported on Staten Island.

That’s about 199 attacks per 100,000 residents–far beyond Manhattan, which came in second with 144 attacks per 100,000 residents. 

While any dog bite can cause serious injury, the following breeds account for the highest percentage of bite injuries on Staten Island:

  • Pit bulls
  • American Staffordshire terrier
  • American bully 
  • Staffordshire bull terrier
  • German shepherds

Nationwide, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Annually, about 6,000 postal workers are among the victims–and Staten Island is one of the top spots in the nation on that list as well.

What is My Staten Island Dog Bite Case Worth?

Many dog bites and animal attacks involve children. When a child is the victim, it can be particularly tricky to put a dollar value on an injury’s cost over time. The child could suffer serious long-term emotional trauma–and it can be tough to estimate the value of a child’s lost earning potential in the most serious cases.

Whether the victim was a child or an adult, some significant factors that can impact the value of dog bite injury claims include:

  • The type and severity of the injury
  • Any permanent or long-term disability caused by the attack
  • The value of the victim’s lost wages and income
  • The cost of medical treatment, both past, and future
  • Any emotional trauma suffered by the victim
  • Whether the bite left any permanent scarring or disfigurement

As a parent, you can bring a personal injury claim on behalf of a child. If your child was hurt, it’s especially important to hire a lawyer with experience handling injury cases involving minors.

When you choose Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., you can trust that we’ll do everything possible to recover the maximum available compensation from all responsible parties. All you have to do is call our law firm today to get started.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?

Dog bite victims in New York are always entitled to compensation for their past and future medical bills related to the attack. 

If the dog had a prior history of viciousness or if the owner was negligent, you may also be entitled to compensation for:

  • Past and future wages
  • Diminished earning potential
  • Corrective surgeries
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium
  • Damages for wrongful death

Insurance companies often try to tell accident victims what their case is worth. Remember that their initial offer is almost never a fair reflection of your case’s value.

At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we’ve spent decades developing relationships with respected experts across NYC. If necessary, we’ll hire experts in relevant fields who can testify about the likely future costs you’ll incur–and how the injuries might impact your life.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites and animal attacks can cause a wide variety of injuries. Aside from the wound itself, dog bite victims are often knocked to the ground by the force of the attack.

You deserve fair compensation for all of your dog bite injuries. At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we’ll help you fight for every dollar you deserve. 

We often handle dog bite cases involving:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Back injuries
  • Infection 
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Crush injuries
  • Eye injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Nerve damage
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Catastrophic injuries, including paralysis and amputations
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Some dog bites also create the risk that the victim will become infected by Rabies, MRSA, and other diseases. 

Dog bite injury cases can be complicated. Call an experienced Staten Island dog bite attorney today if you or your child were injured.

What Causes Most Dog Bites in Staten Island, NY?

The New York City Economic Development Corporation estimates that there are around 600,000 dogs in NYC. Most dogs have their own personality–and might react strongly in certain situations.

Dog bites can be provoked or unprovoked. 

Dogs often bite because they:

  • Are defending their “territory” or owner
  • Feel threatened
  • Are scared or startled
  • Aren’t feeling well
  • Are overly excited during playtime

Regardless of why a dog bites, injury victims are entitled to compensation under New York state law.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Dog Bite in New York? 

Some states hold all dog owners strictly liable for the acts of their dogs. That means the victim isn’t required to prove negligence to recover compensation after a dog bite. 

Other states impose a “one bite” rule. A one bite rule gives the owner a free pass for the first bite, as long as the owner didn’t know that the dog had vicious propensities. 

New York state law is a mix of the two. 

Under the New York dog bite law, owners are:

  • Strictly liable for all medical bills related to the dog bite or attack
  • Liable for additional damages if the owner either knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog was dangerous or vicious

In other words, the dog’s owner is always liable for your medical expenses. You’ll have to prove that the dog had displayed dangerous tendencies in the past or that the owner was somehow negligent to recover additional damages under the New York law.

There are many different ways to prove negligence. For example, the owner might be found negligent based on a violation of NYC dog leash laws. Generally speaking, we’ll work to prove negligence by showing that the owner didn’t use reasonable care to prevent the injuries from occurring.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in New York?

New York state law imposes a strict three-year statute of limitations in almost all personal injury cases. That means the victim has three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

You could have more or less time in certain situations. Don’t risk losing your right to compensation. Call an experienced attorney today to get started.

Contact a Staten Island Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Dog bite injuries can result in severe complications. If you or your child were hurt, you probably have a million questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced Staten Island dog bite lawyer at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. today. We offer a free consultation so that you can get the answers you deserve.