Long Island Attorneys Helps You Recover from a Dog Bite

Providing compassionate legal counsel for victims of animal attacks

A dog bite or other animal attack can be devastating physically and emotionally. Injuries may include lacerations, nerve damage, disfigurement and infection or disease. Even death has resulted from severe attacks. At The Licatesi Law Group, LLP, we have assisted victims of dog bites for more than 40 years. From our offices in Brooklyn and Uniondale, we help clients obtain the compensation for their injuries that they deserve.

Who is responsible for a dog bite injury?

In New York, dog owners are strictly liable for the behavior of a dangerous dog, defined as one that:

• Attacks and either injures or kills a person, farm animal, or pet without justification, or
• Behaves in a way that causes a reasonable person to believe that the dog poses a “serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.”

The owner must pay for all medical expenses related to injuries caused by a dangerous dog, regardless of whether the bite occurred on the owner’s property or away from it or whether the dog was on a leash. Usually, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance covers the claim up to the policy limits.

A victim may obtain additional damages through a personal injury lawsuit alleging the owner’s negligence — such as failing to use reasonable care to prevent the attack by controlling or restraining the animal. However, the owner may not be responsible if you were teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog or if you were trespassing or committing another crime.

If you were behaving legally and reasonably and were nevertheless attacked and injured, the personal injury attorneys at The Licatesi Law Group, LLP can examine the facts and evidence, including witnesses’ statements and medical records. Our comprehensive investigation includes review of previous violent behavior by the dog, aggressive tendencies of the breed and whether the owner gave commands or used proper safeguards (such as leashes or muzzles) to prevent the attack. We will apply our deep experience to determining the best avenue for recovering damages from a dog owner. But do not delay; you must file a personal injury case within three years of the attack.

Contact Long Island attorneys for a free consultation on your dog bite claim

See the difference an experienced personal injury attorney at The Licatesi Law Group, LLP can make in your case. Call us at 516-227-2662 or contact our Uniondale or Brooklyn office online to take advantage of a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our attorneys.