Dog bites can result in nerve damage, broken bones, lacerations, and torn ligaments. If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury in Oyster Bay, a lawyer from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can help you.
It does not matter whether you were bitten at a private residence or in public; if a dog’s owner failed to restrain their animal, you could be entitled to damages. We encourage you to work with an attorney from our team on your civil case.
What Should You Do Immediately After Being Bitten by a Dog?
In the aftermath of a dog bite, you have more than just the actual bite to worry about; you should also be concerned about the risk of infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seeking medical attention should be at the forefront of your mind after getting hurt.
You should also:
- Take pictures of the location where you were hurt.
- Take a picture of the dog (if possible).
- Document your injuries in a pain journal.
- Keep all medical documents you get from your doctor.
- Avoid posting about the situation on social media.
You should also file an incident report to NYC Health. Using their online form, you need to include information about the time and date of the attack, who was involved, and the details of your injuries. This information is crucial to advancing your legal claim.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
The types of damages you can recover, as well as the overall value of your case, will depend on the nature of your accident. In general, however, you could recover compensation for the following losses:
- Medical bills (for both now and in the future)
- Lost income
- Scarring, disfigurement, and disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earning capacity
You could recover other damages than those mentioned here.
How Long will It Take to Resolve Your Case?
The progression of your case will depend on a variety of things, including:
- The strength of your evidence. The stronger the evidence you have to support your case, the more willing the insurance company may be to settle.
- Your medical condition. If your medical bills are still evolving, you do not want to agree to a settlement. If you accept money and need more funds later, the insurer will not pay you anything else.
- The issue of liability. If liability in your case is clear-cut, great; this could go a long way in aiding the financial recovery process. If not, however, it can take some time to figure out who is responsible for your damages.
It could take days, weeks, or months to settle your case. Your dog bite injury lawyer serving Oyster Bay will update you on any developments.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP?
It may cost you virtually nothing to hire a dog bite injury lawyer from our firm. That is because we help people on a contingency-fee-basis. For you, that means:
- You do not pay us anything once you agree to be our client.
- You do not pay our attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
- We will take a percentage of your final settlement or court award as payment (you will know this percentage beforehand).
With this payment structure, we hope to alleviate some of your financial worries during this stressful time.
Does It Matter What Type of Dog Bit You?
New York law does not discriminate against dog breeds. Whether you were bitten by a pit bull or chihuahua, if you suffered injuries due to an aggressive dog, you could seek damages. We must also show that you did not provoke or attempt to harm the dog, as this behavior could be used to discredit your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File your Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in Oyster Bay?
You generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file your lawsuit, per CVP §214. The subject of your potential lawsuit will depend on your situation. For instance, if you were harmed by a dog at someone’s house, you could sue the dog’s owner or property owner.
If you were bitten by a feral dog that was roaming the streets, however, you could sue a government municipality. Here, you would need to show that because the government did not capture the dog, you were injured.
You might have a shorter amount of time than the standard two years to file your lawsuit, though. Our team can give you more information on this matter when you connect with us.
Our Legal Team’s Medical Background Gives Us Unique Insight Into Dog Bite Cases
Richard S. Jaffe, one of our founding partners, has a long history in the medical field. Not only is he a certified brain injury specialist, but he also has experience as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT).
When our firm takes on your case, we can view your case through a legal and medical lens. Not only can you rest assured that we know what you are going through, but we can use our experience to accurately calculate your past and future healthcare expenses.
Our medical experience also lends us insight into:
- The details of your recovery period
- What hardships you could face in the future
- How we can explain your diagnosis in ways you can understand
- The impact of your injuries on your life
We can also use our network of resources to consult with medical professionals who have specific knowledge about your situation.
Call the Attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Today for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one was injured by an aggressive dog in Oyster Bay, feel free to call our team today. During your free case review, we can answer your questions, determine your eligibility, and address your pressing concerns. You can begin by dialing (516) 358-6900.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Oyster Bay, 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.
