Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog owners must control and restrain their dogs, especially if they’re of an aggressive or dangerous breed. Many abide by the laws and are proactive in protecting the public from their animals. Unfortunately, some act irresponsibly, and their dog may bite and attack another person. Such a negligent dog owner should shoulder the burden for any resulting damages from this incident.

If you or a loved one was injured because of a dog bite, our dog bites attorney in Long Island can represent you during your pursuit for compensation. Shulman & Hill is New York’s premier personal injury law firm, and every case is personal to us. We want to handle your case no matter how difficult or complex it is.

You can learn more about how our personal injury lawyers can assist you when you contact us for a free, no-obligation case review. Reach out to Shulman & Hill at 516.613.3196 today.

An Overview of Dog Bites and the Health Complications They Cause

Over 4.5 million people suffer from dog bites every year in the United States. (American Veterinary Medical Association) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20% of dog bite victims require some degree of medical attention. If you were bitten by a dog, you may have sustained a serious injury or infection. Common health complications dog bite victims suffer include:

• Deep lacerations: If the dog punctures the skin, the victim may sustain a deep laceration and have excessive bleeding.
• Rabies: If the dog in question was feral or didn’t have vaccines, it could have rabies, which is a viral infection that passes through saliva. Symptoms of rabies include hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, and fever, according to Mayo Clinic. It could be deadly if it goes untreated.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): If the dog knocked you to the ground and you hit your head or it bit your scalp, you could have sustained a TBI. A TBI can range from mild to moderate to severe. You may experience headaches, confusion, and problems with speech, among other symptoms.
• Broken bones or fractures: If you fall to the ground when the dog attacks you, you could use your arms and legs to break your fall. As a result, you could fracture your wrist, hand, or ankles.
• Facial injuries: Dogs may attack the victim’s face and cause injury to their nose, cheeks, eyes, and ears, potentially leading to permanent scarring.

What to Do After You Suffer a Dog Bite in Long Island

What you do following a dog bite in Long Island affects not only your health but also the state of your injury lawsuit. As soon as you’re able, get medical attention. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and start your treatment right away.

If you put off this crucial step, you risk your health worsening and having a gap in your case. For example, the more time that passes between the dog bite and your first visit, the more difficult it is to connect the two events—perhaps making the insurance company less inclined to pay out the value of your claim.

Next, you want to report the accident to the proper authorities. Depending on where the bite occurred, you would file this report with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services or the Nassau County Department of Health. Make sure you include the following information:

• The dog bite victim’s name and contact information
• The date, time, and location of where the dog bite happened
• The dog owner’s name and contact information
• The dog’s medical history, including their vaccination for rabies

If you can, document the scene. Take pictures of your injury, the location, and the dog in question. You can include them in your lawsuit when you file for compensation.

Proving Your Dog Bite Case

In a dog bite case, the plaintiff must establish that the owner knew or should have known that their dog was vicious or dangerous to others. Proving this can help you recover compensation for your damages.

However, the dog owner may build a defense to counter your accusation and avoid paying out your case. Fighting these claims on your own can be tough, especially because accessing the evidence that counters it may require some digging. A Long Island dog bites attorney from our firm can review your case and help establish that the dog owner should have known about their dog’s vicious tendencies and taken the proper precautions.

The Dog Bites Lawyers in Long Island on Our Team Work on Contingency Fees

If you find yourself worrying about the costs of hiring a dog bite attorney for your case, you don’t have to with Shulman & Hill on your side. At our firm, we account for your current financial situation and take your case on a contingency fee basis.

That means our lawyers deduct their fee from the compensation they settle or win for you when they resolve your case. This way, we don’t ask for upfront or out-of-pocket fees when we begin working together.

Common Damages in a Long Island Dog Bites Case

If you can establish the dog owner was liable for causing your injuries, you may have grounds to seek compensation from them. The nature of this compensation depends on the details of your case, like:

• The type and severity of your injuries
• The dog in question (e.g., their history of violent or viscous behavior)
• The extent of your medical care
• How your personal and professional life has been affected

This information can tell us that you may be entitled to collect compensation for:

• Medical bills for past and future care
• Pain and suffering for the discomfort and distress you experience from your injuries
• Lost income to make up for hours you missed at work
• Reduced earning capacity to cover the income you will miss if your injuries keep you from returning to work in the long term
• Scarring and disfigurement for long-lasting wounds from the dog bite

Sadly, dog bites can lead to fatal injuries or infections. If your loved one passed away from health complications related to a dog bite, you may receive awards for wrongful death damages. They could cover their burial and funeral expenses, medical expenses, and lost income.

How a Long Island Dog Bites Lawyer on Our Team Can Assist You

Shulman & Hill has recovered $300 million for past clients. We treat each of these cases with a personalized approach, going after the unique damages that clients need to rebuild their lives. Although we know each case differs, the tasks we complete for each one tend to overlap. When we take your injury lawsuit, we handle:

• Reviewing the laws, documentation, and evidence applicable to your situation
• Naming the negligent dog owner
• Compiling evidence for your case
• Evaluating all of your damages
• Negotiating a settlement
• Taking your dog bite case to trial, if needed
• Speaking to other parties on your behalf

While our lawyers deal with each of these aspects of your case, your job is to rest and work toward getting back on your feet. Don’t prolong your recovery by stressing out about familiarizing yourself with legal jargon and navigating the process.

The Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits in New York State

When you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the negligent dog owner, you must comply with certain deadlines that the law has imposed. For example, under CPLR § 214, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your loved one passed away from a dog bite-related injury or infection, you typically have up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, according to EPTL § 5-4.1.

Given adequate notice, your attorney can help you adhere to your applicable deadline. Putting off starting your lawsuit risks the statute expiring. In that event, you bear the responsibility of paying off the expenses related to the dog bite.

Connect With Our Dog Bites Team in Long Island Today

Sustaining a dog bite injury can force you to put your life on pause. It’s stressful dealing with the medical bills and holding off on other responsibilities, but you don’t have to bear these burdens on your own. A dog bite attorney in Long Island with Shulman & Hill can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. All you need to do is rest and recover.

We offer free consultations, and we’re ready to see how we can help. Contact our firm today at 516.613.3196.