If you were bitten by a dog in Suffolk County, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and losses.
A Suffolk County personal injury lawyer from Friedman & Simon, LLP, can explain your legal rights and help you to determine the best course of action.
- Dog Bite Injuries for Which You Can File a Claim
- What to Do If You Were Bitten By a Dog
- What a Dog Bite Attorney Can Do For You
- You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Dog Bites Case in Suffolk County
- Call Friedman & Simon, LLP Today For Your Free Consultation
Dog Bite Injuries for Which You Can File a Claim
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually. Many of these injuries occur when the dog’s owner is negligent in their duty to control, leash, or properly contain in accordance with local laws and statutes.
These injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Damaged tendons and ligaments
- Bruises, abrasions, cuts, and scrapes
- Soft tissue, muscle, and joint damage
- Scarring
- Disfigurement (as in the loss of all or part of a finger, ear or other body part)
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Reduced mobility or loss of mobility
- Loss of limb
If you suffered any of these types of injuries from a dog bite, an attorney can advise you of your legal rights, and help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
Damages You Can Claim for Dog Bite Injuries
If you are bitten by a dog whose owner is in violation of Suffolk County codes for dangerous dogs and pet restraints, you can seek damages for the immediate and long-term losses you suffer as a result. Damages include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Loss of income
- Loss of use
- Reduced quality of life
- Reduced ability to work
- Career change, including training and education
- Long-term care, medical equipment, prostheses, and medication
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of limb
- Mental and emotional distress
- Psychological impacts and PTSD
- Loss of companionship
A Suffolk County lawyer who handles dog bite cases can place a monetary value on the losses you suffered and fight for the just compensation you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite lawyer serving Suffolk County, call 516-932-0400
What to Do If You Were Bitten By a Dog
If you were attacked by a dog, following these steps will ensure your safety and provide the evidence you will need to file a claim.
- Remove yourself from harm’s way and call Emergency Services: Ensure that you are out of harm’s way, and seek medical attention. Call 911 if the dog is still at large and poses a danger to others. If you do not need an ambulance, you should wash the wound and contact your doctor for instructions or go to an hospital emergency room or an urgent care facility. Even if the bite does not seem serious, dog bites can cause significant damage that you may not feel immediately, and infection can set in later if the bite is not properly treated.
- Document everything: If you can, take photos of your injury, the dog, the site of the accident, the individuals attending the dog, and any other evidence that will help prove your claim. Obtain the owner’s name, address and contact information, file a police report, and obtain contact information from any witnesses.
- Do not claim fault: Do not say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault. If you are not sure, how to respond to a question, speak with your attorney first. If you are questioned and, especially due to the stress of the event, feel confused or anxious about what to say, simply say, “I’m not feeling well and I don’t want to talk.” If you are being pressured to answer questions, repeat yourself and then just be quiet. The other party or their insurance company may try to obtain a statement or a preliminary settlement from you in order to reduce their liability. If they contact you, collect the caller’s name, title, phone number and the assigned claim number. It is best not to speak with the caller beyond that. We strongly suggest that you not sign anything related to the dog attack and the injuries you suffered as a result before you consult with a personal injury attorney.
Following the steps outlined above will also help if you are unable to settle your case with the insurance company and decide to file a lawsuit.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim on Behalf of a Loved One
If you lost a loved one due to a dog attack, we offer our heartfelt condolences. It is our privilege to work on behalf of surviving family members of wrongful death victims in dog bite claims. We are committed to obtaining just compensation and justice for your lost loved one.
Suffolk County Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
What a Dog Bite Attorney Can Do For You
Since 1991, the attorneys at Friedman & Simon, LLP have worked to improve the quality of life of injury victims in Suffolk County. Over the past two decades, we have established a reputation for effective and successful representation in a variety of injury cases. No matter how complicated your dog bite claim, our attorneys will handle all of the legal aspects of your claim, so you can focus on recovery.
We will:
- Keep you informed: Our legal team will maintain open communication with you throughout the process, so you know where your case stands and understand the next steps.
- Identify the liable parties: Our legal team examines your case in light of local regulations, laws, and statutes in order to identify all of the liable parties. With this information, we can determine how best to proceed with your dog bite claim.
- Compile evidence and documentation: We obtain sufficient evidence to prove that you were materially damaged by the dog bite, and that the dog bite was caused by another party’s negligence. This evidence may be in the form of photographs, medical bills and records, witness statements, and expert testimony from medical experts, vocational rehabilitation experts, life care planners, and economists.
- Contact the other party and their insurance company: We will reach out to the opposing party, their legal counsel and their insurance company, and submit a claim on your behalf. Our attorneys will leverage their knowledge to present your case to the opposing party to obtain fair compensation for your losses.
- Determine your claim’s value and negotiate on your behalf: At-fault individuals, their insurance company, or their lawyers will work to reduce their financial liability. At Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers LLP, we know how the process works, and we will aggressively defend your right to suitable compensation in private negotiations and in court.
- Represent you in court: If the insurance company does not offer you a fair settlement we are prepared to take your claim to court to get the compensation you deserve.
Click to contact our Suffolk County Personal Injury Lawyers today
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Dog Bites Case in Suffolk County
According to, N.Y. Civ. Prac. L.& R. §214, if you were bitten by a dog in Suffolk County, you have three years to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner if you are unable to reach a settlement with their insurance company. The statute of limitations begins from the date the injury occurred.
While three years is a substantial amount of time, it is best to contact one of our Suffolk County dog bite lawyers and take action promptly. Your attorney will get right to work to establish the value of the case, compile evidence, and tally your losses, a process that may take a significant amount of time if you receive long-term medical treatment. Additionally:
- Depending upon the unique circumstances of your case a shorter statute of limitations may apply
- Claims and lawsuits are governed by numerous rules with deadlines in addition to the statute of limitations
- Evidence such as surveillance video and witness statements are best obtained as soon after the incident as possible. The more time that passes without collecting these items, the greater the possibility that they will become unavailable for a wide variety of potential reasons.
Contact your attorney as soon as possible after the accident to begin the process and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines and that we have time to attend to every detail on your behalf in the most prompt and professional manner.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Call Friedman & Simon, LLP Today For Your Free Consultation
Our Suffolk County personal injury lawyers are dedicated to advocating for your right to just compensation. Call us today for your free consultation with one of our team members to discuss your dog bite case.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form