While dogs are known to be a man’s best friend; unfortunately, it may not always be the case. Dog bites are common and they can lead to several short- and long-term health implications. In some cases, dog bites can even be fatal. Regarded as a personal injury, attorneys represent numerous cases for people who suffer from dog bite injuries due to someone’s negligence.
Numbers state that more than 14000 people are hospitalized in the United States every year due to dog bite injuries. Moreover, 1000 people require emergency treatment every day in the country. In terms of the injuries sustained, the most common are:
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- Bite injuries on the neck, face, and head
- Bite injuries on the hands, fingers, forearm, and wrist
- Cuts on the face
Any of the above-mentioned injuries can be of varying degrees – from minor to major, they need immediate medical attention, and if ignored, can have dire consequences. Moreover, along with the physical injuries dog bites can also lead to mental trauma, especially for people who are scared of dogs beforehand.
But who is responsible in case you suffer a dog bite? Dog owners, landlords, and anyone who harbors a dog have a responsibility to train their animals and ensure that they do not pose a threat to the public. Unfortunately, some owners are lax in these responsibilities. Even worse, a handful of dog owners are wilfully negligent and encourage dangerous canine behaviors.
If you’ve suffered a dog bite due to someone’s negligence, it is important to hire a personal injury attorney so you get a fair settlement. In such a scenario, you’re liable for a settlement that recovers medical cost, income loss, pain and suffering, disfigurement, therapy expenses, etc.
In terms of New York State law, Section 121 of the New York Code says that the owner of a “dangerous dog” is responsible for injuries sustained by people, livestock, or companion animals such as service dogs. A “dangerous dog” is one that meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Has already bitten a person, livestock, or pet
- Exhibits dangerous behavior such that a reasonable person would believe the dog poses a threat to others
- Law enforcement dogs are not included in this statute.
In New York, the statute of limitations on a dog bite case is three years from the time of the bite. Your injury claim must be filed before this statute runs out for your case to be heard.
Using the above Code, a personal injury lawyer will help in fine tuning the details of your case to make sure that the owner is liable to pay you a fair settlement.
If you or someone you know has suffered a dog bite due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.