Manhattan Dog Bite Lawyer

Manhattan is home to millions of people––and thousands of dogs, too. While many of these animals are beloved household pets, there’s no guarantee they won’t become aggressive and bite an unsuspecting person. Did you suffer harm from a dog bite in New York City? Whether you were on public or private property, you may be able to seek damages from the responsible party by partnering with a dog bite lawyer from Shulman & Hill in Manhattan.

We advocate for people throughout NYC’s boroughs. We are ready to pursue the liable party for your injury-related losses. Start a free case review and explore your legal options today. Dial 866.311.5673.

How Our Attorneys Help With Your Dog Bite Claim

There are many “what ifs” when considering your legal options after a dog attack. What if the at-fault party blames you for what happened? What if your injuries cost thousands of dollars? Our team puts these worries to rest.

When you entrust your case to Shulman & Hill, our personal injury attorneys can:

• Investigate the circumstances of the dog bite
• Identify and interview eyewitnesses whose testimony can support your case
• Scrutinize the dog’s history from birth to the present day
• Consult with healthcare professionals on your injury’s severity
• Calculate the cost of your past, present, and future losses
• Represent your claim to the insurer
• Potentially pursue a lawsuit

We create tailor-made legal strategies for every case we handle. You can trust that our lawyers in Manhattan will pursue the financial compensation you need and deserve.

We Abide by All Case-Specific Deadlines

You have a limited time to file a dog bite lawsuit in Manhattan. Consider the following:

• Per CPLR § 214, you typically have three years to file your injury case
• Per EPTL § 5-4.1, you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit

Our personal injury lawyers want to protect your right to recover damages through a lawsuit. Our injury firm’s skilled dog bite attorneys can help you understand and manage your legal deadlines.

Our Manhattan Injury Team Works on Contingency

Dog bites can cause painful injuries that generate high medical costs and other expenses. You may need rehabilitation and plastic surgery to reduce scarring. You could miss time from work while you recover. Although paying an attorney may seem out of your financial reach, that’s not the case with our law firm.

Shulman & Hill’s personal injury attorneys work on contingency. This arrangement allows you to seek legal help regardless of your financial standing. Here, we don’t request upfront fees, costs, or retainers. You only pay our attorney’s fees when your personal injury claim concludes with you receiving compensation. If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid.

Our Team Seeks Recovery for Dog Bite Injury Claimants in New York County

We want to help put this challenging time behind you. We can do this by filing a legal claim for fair compensation on your behalf. Financial recovery may account for the following types of damages:

Past, Present, and Future Healthcare Expenses

Financial recovery for healthcare expenses includes the medical care you have received and will need in the future. Damages may include:

• Reconstructive surgery
• Limb immobilization
• Antibiotics and medications
• Wound dressings
• Doctors’ appointments
• Rehabilitation
• Emergency room visits

In addition to physical injury, dog bites can lead to mental health complications, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation could account for therapy and counseling to address such conditions.

Lost Job-Related Benefits

Suffering a dog bite may affect your working ability. You deserve compensation for the financial losses you suffer because of a dog bite. We can seek reimbursement for your lost tips, wages, bonuses, commissions, and future earning capacity.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You may have spent money out of pocket to pay for certain items and services. Those financial obligations should be the liable party’s responsibility, not yours.

Compensable out-of-pocket expenses may include:

• Childcare costs
• Property damage expenses (such as torn clothing or broken jewelry)
• Transportation arrangements
• Assistive devices

Non-Economic Damages

Not all dog bite-related damages come with price tags. Some relate more to your physical and emotional well-being. But they’re potentially compensable, and we can include them in your claim’s value. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Every dog bite case comes with its own set of recoverable damages, so you may recover additional damages depending on the facts of your case.

Our Team Can Handle the Complexity of a Dog Bite Injury Case

There is no such thing as a straightforward dog bite injury case. Even if liability seems obvious, many things could complicate the legal process. Rest assured there is no challenge our dog bite attorneys in Manhattan can’t handle.

We can combat the following complications:

• The dog’s owner asserts you provoked their dog
• It’s unclear how much your damages are worth
• You’re not sure who owned the dog
• The liable insurance company denies your claim or offers less than you need

Our team has years of experience going toe-to-toe with big corporations, aggressive attorneys, and uncooperative insurers. We have no problem advocating for economic and non-economic damages through whatever the legal process demands.

Questions and Answers About Dog Bite Injury Claims in Manhattan

You likely have many questions about dog bite laws and your legal options. Some of those questions may include:

How Much Can I Recover for My Injuries After A Dog Bite?

The value of your injury-related losses depends on many aspects of your case, such as:

• The severity of the dog bite
• Your missed time from work
• The injury’s effect on your life
• The cost of your healthcare expenses
• Your mental state after suffering harm

Do I Have to Report a Dog Bite to the Authorities?

You should report the dog bite to the New York Department of Health. Your report must include details about the injury, the dog’s owner, and your contact information. Reporting the dog bite makes your community safer and also provides evidence that could support your case’s outcome.

What Injuries Could Entitle Me to Compensation?

You could seek damages if you suffered harm because of a dog bite in Manhattan. The team at Shulman & Hill can advocate for bite victims who have suffered:

– Internal bleeding
– Soft-tissue damage
– Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
– Puncture wounds
– Torn blood vessels
– Nerve damage
– Emotional trauma
– Scarring
– Disfigurement
– Broken facial or limb bones
– Damaged joints
– Infections
– Rabies

Our law firm also advocates for wrongful death claimants.

What Happens After Filing a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?

Every lawsuit progresses differently. Sometimes, the pet owner or property owner liable for your dog bite injuries may settle. In other instances, your case could go all the way to trial. There, a judge and jury can decide on whether you get compensation and how much.

What Happens if the Dog’s Owner Blames Me for the Incident?

If the dog’s owner tries to refute liability, we can use evidence to assert otherwise. Supporting information in your case could include the accident report, the dog’s veterinary records, a documented history of viciousness, previous complaints, and eyewitness testimony. We may also consult with animal behavioral specialists to confirm certain details about the dog’s temperament.

Considerations After a Dog Bite Injury in Manhattan, NY

After an animal attack, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The physical and emotional recovery alone is draining, not to mention the financial stress. You can help your case by:

Seeking Treatment for Your Injuries

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) notes that even seemingly minor dog bites require medical attention. Puncture wounds can lead to nasty infections that can cause headaches, respiratory problems, fevers, and other complications. Severe dog bite injuries could include long-term damage, eye injuries, head injuries, crush injuries, and disfiguring injuries.

Seeking medical attention does more than promote your health; it also supports your injury case’s outcome.

We can use testimony from your healthcare team to assert:

• You suffered harm from a dangerous dog
• You required medical attention
• You have financial losses related to your injuries
• Your condition has affected your quality of life, either in the long- or short-term

We also recommend following your prescribed treatment plan. This may include taking medications, undergoing surgery, routinely changing your bandages, and attending all scheduled appointments.

Leaving Insurance-Related Matters to Your Lawyer

When filing an insurance claim with the insurance carrier for the person responsible for your injuries, the insurer may ask you to give a recorded statement. They may even offer an immediate settlement, hoping you’ll settle for less than the full value of your injuries. Interacting with the insurer on your own may only confuse you, so you should seek guidance to help you navigate your best interests.

That’s why we recommend letting our team manage all insurance-related obligations. We can present evidence, cite the applicable policy, and establish owner liability. Our team can also answer all phone calls, emails, and text messages from the liable party. You don’t have to worry about handling these tasks while you navigate the healing process.

Limiting Your Social Media Presence

The insurance company may access your social media posts, looking for information to discredit your case. Any photos, videos, or comments shared online could work to the insurer’s advantage and paint your case in a bad light. We suggest keeping a low profile on your public social media accounts during your case’s progression. Doing so prevents the insurer from alleging that your injuries are not serious.

Dog Bite Injury Statistics in New York City

New York City keeps records of dog bites that happen in the region. Here is some information of interest:

• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) data from 2018-2021 records breed, sex, spay/neuter status of dogs, date, and location information of reported. Animal control data indicates that American Pit Bull Terriers were responsible for a significant number of dog bite-related injuries.

• NYC Health reports that there were about 500,000 dogs throughout the city’s 5 boroughs in 2017. The report goes on to say that in 2014, dog bites caused $17 million in damages, an increase from previous years. More than 3,100 injuries happened that same year.
• The same source reports that children between the ages of 5 to 12 were most likely to suffer dog bites.

Begin Your Free Case Review With a Dog Bite Attorney From Shulman & Hill in Manhattan, NY

Following your dog bite injury, Shulman & Hill wants to make the financial recovery process as straightforward as possible. We’re committed to seeking maximum compensation from the responsible parties. 

Right now, we want you to focus on your well-being, while we handle the legal obligations. Connect with our dog bite injury team online or call our office at 866.311.5673 to schedule your free initial consultation.