No one wants to think that a dog will do them harm. Unfortunately, dogs that are stressed, overstimulated, or abused can react violently when engaging with people. Even well-trained dogs with mischievous temperaments can act out against people they know. It is the responsibility of an attending dog owner to prevent their dog from doing harm to others.
Negligent owners, however, can see their dogs do serious harm to bystanders or loved ones. Should you be a victim of a dog bite accident, you can take action against an offending party in the wake of your losses. You can contact a county dog bite lawyer to learn more about what rights New York law entitles you to after a dog bite accident.
The One Bite Rule in New York
New York legislation regarding dog bites goes by the One Bite Law. This law states that owners must only take responsibility for the inappropriate behavior of an animal in their possession if they are aware of that animal’s predisposition toward mischievous or violent behavior.
In other words, a dog’s owner can be held liable for injuries wrought onto another person the first time a dog acts out with their knowledge. Victims of dog bites may have the means to pursue both a civil and criminal case simultaneously in these cases, particularly if the dog’s owner is allegedly engaging in animal abuse.
Should you pursue a criminal case against the dog’s owner in the wake of a dangerous bite, your efforts may benefit your civil pursuit. A criminal dog bite conviction can serve as proof of negligence in your civil case, thereby making it easier for you to secure the compensation you need to fund your recovery.
Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Nassau County, NY
You need to act quickly if you want to take action in the wake of a dog bite accident. It depends on the facts but some statutes of limitation time periods are as short as 90 days from the date your accident occurred so it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. However, you can be rest assured that our experienced attorneys will handle your claim promptly.
Gathering Evidence of a Dog Owner’s Liability
Before you can submit a claim to a county clerk, you must gather evidence indicating that negligence on the part of a dog’s owner resulted in the injuries you sustained. This is most effectively done by returning to the scene of the accident and gathering what evidence may be available to you.
There is limited physical evidence available to victims of dog bite accidents save for the injuries they sustained. You can work with a medical professional to elaborate on the nature of your injuries and indicate the extent of your losses.
Our team can also reach out to bystanders on your behalf and secure video or photo footage of the accident as it occurred. These bystanders may also contribute to your case as witnesses.
Your Dog Bite Claim Has Calculable Value
The complaint you file with a civil judge addressing your dog bite needs to further elaborate on what compensation you want in return for the injuries done to you. The best way to calculate this compensation ahead of time is to balance the value of your economic losses with unbillable, or non-economic, losses.
Your economic losses are the most straightforward of your injuries to address. You can work with an attorney to calculate the sum of your:
- Medical expenses
- At-home recovery care
- Lost wages
- Lost opportunities to find alternative employment
- Property damage, as applicable
From here, you can turn to state precedent as well as available multipliers to stand in for non-economic damages. These damages can include any pain and suffering or PTSD you have endured due to your dog bite. Your dog bite attorney from Nassau County can calculate the value of your case for you.
New York Dog Bite Claims Give You Legal Options
On submitting your complaints to a county clerk, you have options available to you. Provided that a county clerk moves your dog bite injury complaint forward, you can choose to pursue compensation through conversations with the defendant or with the help of a judge.
You can arrange a time to meet with a defendant outside of court but along with an attorney and the dependent’s representation. At these times, you can discuss the breadth of your losses and request that a liable party provide you with compensation in negotiations. Negotiations also allow you to elaborate on the value of your case and come to a settlement agreement more quickly than you would in a courtroom setting.
Defendants who do not recognize their role in your accident or who otherwise refused to compromise with you when addressing your compensation may be best addressed in court. Upon taking a dog bite injury case to court, you would rely on a judge and jury to determine what the value of your case may be. That said, the estimate of your possible compensation remains important, as it may serve as the baseline for what award a judge and jury choose to give you.
Work With a Nassau County Dog Bite Lawyer Today
In an ideal world, dogs and humans would live in perfect harmony. Even though dogs are humanity’s best friend, there are circumstances that may see a dog act violently against adults or children. In these cases, New York’s One Bite Law allows victims of dog bite accidents to take legal action against a dog’s owner.
Should you wish to pursue a dog bite claim against the defending owner, you can collaborate with dog bite attorneys in Nassau County, NY. The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe can connect you with the representatives who can help you submit your claim. Contact our dog bite lawyer team at 516-358-6900 or through our contact form to begin the process today. Also, check out and subscribe to the Cohen & Jaffe YouTube Channel for more information about the legal process of retrieving due compensation for accident victims.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Babylon, call 516-358-6900
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and may not be applicable in your jurisdiction.
