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 that 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 by partnering with a dog bite lawyer from Shulman & Hill in Manhattan.
We advocate for people throughout NYC’s boroughs. Now, we’re ready to pursue the liable party for your injury-related losses. Start a free case review and explore your options today. Dial 212.221.1000.
How Our Attorneys Help With Your Dog Bite Claim
There are many “what ifs” when considering your legal options. 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 will:
- 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 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
- Pursue an injury lawsuit
We create tailor-made legal strategies for every case we handle. You can trust that our lawyers in Manhattan will pursue what you need and deserve.
We Will Abide by All Case-Specific Deadlines
You have a limited time to file a lawsuit. 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.
We want to protect your right to recover damages through a lawsuit. Contacting our injury firm can help you understand this deadline’s importance and how we’ll manage it.
Our Manhattan Injury Team Works on Contingency
Dog bites can generate costly expenses. You may need reconstructive surgery to reduce any scarring. You may miss time from work while you recover. Paying an attorney may seem out of your financial reach. That’s not the case with our firm.
Shulman & Hill works on contingency. This arrangement allows you to seek legal help without regard to your financial standing. Here, we don’t request upfront fees, costs, or retainers. You only pay our attorney’s fees when your case concludes.
Our Team Seeks Recovery for Dog Bite Injury Claimants in New York County
We want to help put this challenging time behind you. We intend to do this by recovering compensation for your losses. Financial recovery may account for:
Past, Present, and Future Healthcare Expenses
Financial recovery for healthcare expenses includes the 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
Dog bites can also lead to mental health complications, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation could account for therapy and counseling to address this condition.
Lost Job-Related Benefits
Suffering a dog bite may affect your working ability. 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. Yet, they’re still 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. That being said, you may recover losses other than those listed here.
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, there are many things that could complicate the claims process. Yet, there’s no challenge our dog bite attorneys in Manhattan can’t handle.
We can combat these 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 what you need through an insurance claim, personal injury lawsuit, or both.
Questions and Answers About Dog Bite Injury Claims in Manhattan
You likely have many questions on your mind right now. Some of those questions may include:
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
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.
If you suffered harm because of a dog bite in Manhattan, you can seek damages. The team at Shulman & Hill can advocate for people 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
We also advocate for wrongful death claimants.
Every lawsuit progresses differently. In some cases, the liable party may settle. In other instances, your case could go all the way to a verdict. There, a judge and jury can decide on whether you get compensation and how much.
If the dog’s owner tries to refute liability, we will use evidence to assert otherwise. Supporting information in your case could include the accident report, dog’s veterinary records, and eyewitnesses’ 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 the attack, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The physical and emotional recovery alone are draining. 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. Yet, 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, and routinely changing your bandages.
Leaving Insurance-Related Matters to Your Lawyer
When filing an insurance claim with the liable party, the insurer may ask you to give a recorded statement. It may even offer an immediate settlement, hoping you’ll settle for less than you need. Interacting with the insurer on your own may only confuse you.
That’s why we recommend letting our team manage all insurance-related obligations. We can present evidence, cite the liable policy, and pursue what you need. 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 all on your own.
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. During your case’s progression, we suggest “keeping a low profile” on your public social media accounts. 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. Dog bites in the city note that American Pit Bull Terriers were responsible for a significant number of dog bite-related injuries.
- The most recent information from NYC Health reported that there were about 500,000 dogs throughout the city’s five 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 3,1000 injuries happened that same year.
- The same source reports that children between the ages of five 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
Shulman & Hill wants to make the financial recovery process as straightforward as possible. We’re committed to your case’s outcome. Right now, we want you to focus on your well-being, and we’ll handle the legal obligations. To connect with our dog bite injury team, call our office at 212.221.1000.
WE WORK WITH YOU
TO GET YOU COMPENSATED
Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.
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