Nassau County Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one recently suffered a dog bite in Nassau County, you could be entitled to financial compensation. State law dictates when a dog bite victim can seek compensation from the animal’s owner.

Dog bite victims can seek compensation for their medical costs, lost wages related to their injuries, and other damages. However, these cases can be complicated and it is important that injured victims contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.

An experienced injury attorney can inform a dog bite victim about their legal options, and handle their damages claim. If you were recently bitten, contact a Nassau County dog bite lawyer today. En Español.

Liability for Medical Costs

State law holds pet owners liable for their animals’ aggressive behavior. New York has a unique law that holds owners strictly liable for certain damages when their dangerous dog attacks someone.

This means that even if a dog has never shown aggressive behavior before, their owner must pay the bill for the victim’s medical costs related to the bite. However, the victim must show the dog was dangerous. According to New York’s Agriculture & Markets Law, Section 121, dangerous dogs are those that:

• Attack and cause physical injury or death
• Behave in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death
• Without justification attacks a service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog and causes physical injury or death

Owners of dangerous dogs must pay for the bite victim’s medical costs. If the bite victim was another pet, the attacking dog’s owner must pay the veterinary bills.

Who can be Held Responsible in a Dog Bite Injury Case?

Injured bite victims can also hold the dog owner responsible for other harms they incurred as a result of the bite, including lost wages and pain and suffering. To seek compensation for non-medical costs and damages, the victim must prove the dog’s owner knew or should have known the dog had a history of aggression. This is commonly known as the one bite rule. For dogs that have a history of biting, the owner can be held liable all of the victim’s damages, not just their medical expenses.

Proving what an owner knew can be tricky, since many dog bites are not documented by police or animal control. Victims should call an experienced Nassau County dog bite attorney for help.

How Should Someone Deal with Homeowner’s Insurance Companies?

Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover personal injuries, such as dog bites, that occur on the residential property. This means that homeowners’ insurance companies often handle dog bite claims. While injured victims can take the homeowner to court in some cases, victims usually have to deal with the insurance company instead.

Of course, insurance companies usually resist paying such claims. Because the insurance company is looking out for its best interests, and the homeowner’s, they often initially reject a bite victim’s claim. This is why dog bite victims need a skilled injury attorney in their corner.

An experienced dog bite lawyer in Nassau County can represent the victim’s interest, and appeal denied injury claims. If necessary, a victim’s attorney can sue the insurance company in court, if they fail to pay on a legitimate claim.

Contacting a Nassau County Dog Bite Attorney

Now is the time to call a Nassau County dog bite lawyer for assistance. Your attorney will help you hold the attacking dog’s owner responsible for your injuries, your pet’s injuries, and other damages. Get in touch with our office today to get started on your case.