Bronx Dog Bite Lawyers

Skilled Dog Bite Injury Lawyers In The Bronx

Taking care of a dog involves certain responsibilities to protect the animal’s welfare and ensure the safety of the people around it. Although dogs can be friendly and safe for children, some dogs may become aggressive and cause severe injuries if they feel threatened.

If you’ve been bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog in the Bronx, you might have the right to receive compensation for any harm caused to you. Get in touch with our Bronx dog bite lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez to learn more about your legal options. Our law firm in the Bronx provides free and no-risk legal consultations. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help.

Injuries Caused By Dog Bites

Although the majority of dog bites do not need medical attention, it is important to note that dog attacks can result in fatal injuries. Typical injuries associated with dog bites include:

• Abrasions – Damage to the skin that does not extend below the outer layer of skin known as the epidermis.
• Lacerations – Extensive and can require sutures to close the wound.
• Punctures – Holes made in the skin from the dog’s teeth. Punctures push bacteria from the dog’s mouth deep into the wound, increasing the risk of infection.
• Crush injuries – Caused by a large dog knocking down or jumping on someone.
• Avulsion, which is the tearing away of a piece of skin by the bite. This type of injury generally results in significant scarring.
• Nerve damage – Resulting from the dog’s bite that results in a loss of sensation on the skin in that region of the body.

Liability In Dog Bite Injury Cases

In New York, dog bite laws are more lenient compared to other parts of the country. Usually, a dog owner is liable for their dog’s injuries only if they were aware or should have been aware of the dog’s propensity to be dangerous.

Sometimes a dog owner might not be responsible the first time their dog bites someone. This may seem unfair if you’ve been bitten. However, you still have options. A Bronx dog bite attorney can hold the owner liable if they can prove that the dog hurt someone before. Additionally, your lawyer could demonstrate that the owner was careless and knew that the dog was aggressive.

Additionally, it is assumed that the dog owner followed all the dog ordinances in the Bronx. These ordinances include having the dog on a leash or keeping it in a fenced yard. If the dog owner allowed the dog to roam freely, it would be responsible for any actions of the dog, even if it had not displayed any signs of aggression before.

Filing A Claim After A Dog Bite

If you were bitten by a dog while on public property or while legally on private property, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries by filing a Bronx dog bite lawsuit. This will identify who is responsible for the injury and provide evidence of expenses and impacts related to the injury. You typically have three years from the date of the injury to file your case.

Most dog bite claims are covered by the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy of the dog owner. Nonetheless, some insurers are attempting to reduce their responsibility by either declining coverage for specific dog breeds or asking the owner to sign a waiver agreeing to take responsibility for any injuries from a dog bite.

Each year, dog bites result in liability claims to homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies, costing insurers approximately $797 million in the U.S. On average, the cost of a dog bite claim is over $44,000 in the country. Medical expenses and larger judgments awarded by juries have led to more than a 2 percent increase in the number of claims in recent years.

The state of New York ranks fourth in the number of reported dog bites but has the highest average cost per claim at almost $60,000. Please note that the actual amount of compensation received may vary.

Dog Bites And Children

Dog bites pose a significant threat to children who are more susceptible to injuries due to their weaker bodies. In addition to being more vulnerable, children are also more prone to dog bites. If a child sustains a severe injury due to a dog bite, there is a risk of permanent disability if not treated immediately.

According to a study by Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, preschool-age children are most likely to be bitten by dogs. What’s more alarming is that children who need surgery after a dog bite are typically younger than children who only require minor medical attention. Additionally, dogs tend to go for the head and neck region when attacking and this is more dangerous for young children as they are at a closer range to the dog’s height. It is important to take extra precautions to keep young children safe around dogs.